Fine Art Photography Option - Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA Option
Fine Art Photography Option
Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA
Overview
The fine art photography option prepares students for careers as visual artists, educators, editorial photographers, or freelance artists. Graduates are employed in a number of professional fine-art related institutions such as museums, archives, studios, and commercial galleries. The primary goal is to nurture the artist’s personal aesthetic vision through photographic expression. Studying the theoretical and practical skills needed to create thought-provoking and meaningful images develops technical, conceptual, and aesthetic abilities, and furthers students' goals as contemporary image-makers. This option is part of the Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA program.
The interdisciplinary curriculum enables students to explore other related fields in the fine arts, including painting, drawing, sculpture, graphic design, video, film, animation, printmaking and printing, computer graphics, and web publishing. Foundation and specialized courses include digital imaging workflow, alternative processes, new media, history and aesthetics of photography, and exhibition display.
Students have the opportunity to enroll in independent projects, educational internships, or co-ops in galleries, workshops, or other art and imaging centers. Students may choose to spend a year abroad earning credit in an applicable field of their choosing.
Undergraduate Viewbook
The College of Art and Design is RIT’s intersection of technology, the arts and design — where creativity and innovation are boundless.
School of Photographic Arts and Sciences Brochure
With focuses on both art and science, our programs take photography to ambitious levels .
Join us this fall on campus or virtually
Learn about academics, co-op and internships, financial aid, and more.
Industries
Careers and Experiential Learning
Typical Job Titles
| Archivist | Art Director |
| Artist | Conservator |
| Content Producer | Curator |
| Curatorial Assistant | Director of Education |
| Editorial photographer | Freelance Photographer |
| Gallerist/Gallery Manager | Lab Assistant |
| Magazine Editor | Professor/Teacher |
| Studio Manager/Assistant | Videographer |
Salary and Career Information for Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA
Career Opportunities in Fine Art Photography
Graduates find careers as exhibiting artists, photo educators, picture editors, art directors, photographers’ representatives, photographic archivists or curators, museum and gallery staff, multimedia specialists, self-employed photographers, custom-image printers, and film/video artists or animators. Many students choose to pursue graduate work and earn an MFA degree in the arts.
Fine Art Photography Internships
Students apply for internships with some of the nation’s most respected galleries, museums, artists and workshop providers. They work behind the camera in editorial, commercial, and studio environments and have the opportunity to learn from photographers, picture editors, art directors, curators and other professionals. Students receive assistance from their professors and from the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education in identifying and applying for internships. Internships provide real-world work experience, which is an invaluable part of our student's educational experience.
Creative Industry Day
RIT’s Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education hosts Creative Industry Day, which connects students majoring in art, design, film and animation, photography, and select computing majors with companies, organizations, creative agencies, design firms, and more. You'll be able to network with company representatives and interview directly for open co-op and permanent employment positions.
Featured Work
Fine Art Photography Gallery Show
RIT’s 2020 Fine Art Photography senior exhibition, “Not Far From Here,” is the culminating work of 13 artists, who employ a wide variety of mediums, techniques and ideas.
Global Photo Exhibitions
Alexandra Gataeva
The striking photos of Alexandra Gataeva, an RIT Fine Art Photography student, went on a summer vacation around the world in 2019. Several of her works were accepted into exhibits at...
Large Format Photography
Justin Scalera
Justin Scalera '19 (Fine Art Photography) had the unique opportunity to visually preserve one of Rochester's most historic, treasured sites for an independent study with professor Frank Cost...
Featured Profiles
Industry-standard Photography Equipment
RIT's School of Photographic Arts and Sciences Cage is an unparalleled checkout space housing a range of photography equipment you won’t find anywhere else. From specialty lenses to camera...
Alumni Profile: Sam Cannon
Sam Cannon ’14
Sam Cannon '14 (fine art photography) is a New York City-based artist and director who creates short-form videos for huge brands like Gap, Nike and The New York Times.
Class of 2021 Reflections
College of Art and Design Class of 2021 graduates share their favorite RIT memories and offer inspirational words for their peers.
Admission Requirements
This option is part of the Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA. Please visit the degree program page for admission requirements.
Learn about admissions, cost, and financial aid
Latest News
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September 12, 2022
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RIT cited as one of the best universities in the nation by ‘U.S. News’
Innovation, value, co-op education, and excellence in undergraduate teaching are among the categories in which RIT is highly ranked and listed as one of the best national universities by U.S. News & World Report.
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April 12, 2022
![A group of students and instructors look at high-tech studio photography equipment.]()
Photography students explore cutting-edge technology in expert-led workshop
Senior Lecturer Clay Patrick McBride teams up with photography virtuosos Dave Gallagher '91 and Scott Nidermaier to offer a one-credit course focused on innovative digital technician workflows.
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March 25, 2022
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College of Art and Design celebrates alumnus Chance Wright’s transformational gift
RIT’s College of Art and Design hosted a dedication ceremony on Friday marking the recent completion of a “transformational” renovation of the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences and honoring the alumnus whose gift made it possible. The event honored Chance Wright ’18, ’19 and his mother, Pamela Mars Wright, whose $3.5 million gift fueled the renovation and reconfiguration of the third floor of Gannett Hall.
