Art Degrees Online

Diploma in Photographic Imaging
Level: 5 – This programme is offered as a series of workshops, each based on a photographic genre or set of technical skills. In each workshop you will work on assignments tailored to your individual interests (where possible). Workshops and areas of study will include photographic design, digital imaging, colour management, colour technology, technical practice, available light (portrait and wedding photography), studio photography, photo journalism, image concepts, creative postproduction, contextual studies, physics, philosophy, new media studies, and professional practice.

Diploma in Professional Photography
Level: 6 – This programme is designed to help you develop specialist photographic skills and knowledge in an applied learning environment. Industry based skills are taught in the context of student elected photographic genres (eg studio/location portraiture, studio still life, photojournalism/documentary, fashion etc). All courses are compulsory and include digital postproduction/prepress, digital imaging, creative lighting, technical practice, interactive design, professional and business practice and a major project. Industry contact through membership in a professional association is also included. The programme puts equal emphasis on the development of technical skill, creativity and the understanding of design processes.
In addition you may choose to first complete the part time Photographic Folio Preparation Course. This course will help you assemble an application portfolio for tertiary photographic study, which best shows your artistic strengths. This course covers camera use, darkroom skills, developing a theme and folio presentation; and is limited to ten students.

Why should I take a CPIT Photography course?

Photography is the skill of using light to give expression to the world around us. Light is vibrant, beautiful, emotional and varied in its qualities. It is also one of the most effective carriers of information there is, and has the power to influence our perceptions.

A CPIT photography diploma will give you the opportunity to develop in-depth working knowledge of this exciting and powerful medium, as well as to develop the skills that you’ll need to succeed in occupations involving photography.

Photographic imaging forms an integral part of media such as 3D modelling and animation, film, video, television and computer graphic design.

CPIT ’s photography tutors have industry experience and work collaboratively with professional members of the School’s Photographic Advisory Board. They are therefore well placed to ensure that the standards required by the professional photography community and allied industries are met.
How much work will it be?

You’ll study full time over a 32-week year, divided into two semesters. This represents about 40 hours work each week, including lectures, tutorials, critiques and time spent undertaking independent learning.

Entry for domestic and international students is competitive, and you will need to prepare a portfolio of work as part of the application process.
Where will I study?

As a photography student, you’ll have access to industry standard software and hardware for complete in-house image production to professional standards. The studios are equipped with Bowens and Hensel lighting, and a range of medium format and 4 x 5 format cameras.

Extensive Mac-based computer labs allow for full post-production capabilities. A number of Nikon digital SLR cameras and lenses are also available for you where required.

Additionally, battery powered portable flashlights allow you to extend your creativity in field based photography. However, you must supply your own manually adjustable 35 mm film camera and lenses

About the course

Students learn a wide range of photographic skills and practices from fine art to commercial. Photo-techniques from analogue to the latest digital imaging are covered.

Graduates of this course will have a well-developed aesthetic sense, strong visual problem solving skills and be technically well equipped to produce innovative, exciting and questioning photo-based work.
Where it will take you

Graduates may work professionally as photographers in areas such as:
commercial, advertising, corporate and industrial either for professional studios or freelance
fine art exhibition and installation
media outlets such as magazines and newspapers either on a freelance or editorial basis
galleries, museums and government
Course components

The course consists of a core of eight studio-based subjects in the first two years, and two large studio-based subjects in the third year. These are supported by a contextual theory component of six subjects, and a minor elective sequence of five subjects. In the minor electives, students can elect subjects from other courses in the School of Visual & Performing Arts, such as Graphic Design, Multimedia, Animation and Visual Effects, Television Production, Acting for Stage and Screen, Design For Theatre and Television, and Jewellery.

The emphasis in the first year is on the acquisition of technical and aesthetic skills for the production of photographic works via both digital and analogue mediums. These skills are underpinned by contextual studies in photo-history, design theory and cultural studies.

In the second year the course concentrates on exploring, extending and building upon technical and conceptual skills gained in the first year. Emphasis is placed on students producing creative works of a high standard. Topics such as advanced digital photography, studio formats and lighting, imaging theories and techniques including critical analysis and interpretation of photographic imagery are introduced at this level.

In the third year students identify and investigate areas of photographic practice of particlar relevance to their career aspirations. These studies are linked and supported by a research seminar program.
The latest facilities

To make sure you are experienced using the equipment and techniques found in the workplace, our facilities include:
digital photograpy facilities
digital imaging labs
analogue darkrooms
lighting studios
public gallery space
Hands-on experience

Students work collaboratively or individually on a range of photographic projects which may culminate in the production of a book, a CD-ROM or DVD, and a public exhibition of the work.
Graduation requirements

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 192 points (normally 22 subjects).

Students learn a wide range of photographic skills and practices from fine art to commercial. Photo-techniques from analogue to the latest digital imaging are covered.

Graduates of this course will have a well-developed aesthetic sense, strong visual problem solving skills and be technically well equipped to produce innovative, exciting and questioning photo-based work.
Where it will take you

Graduates may work professionally as photographers in areas such as:
commercial, advertising, corporate and industrial either for professional studios or freelance
fine art exhibition and installation
media outlets such as magazines and newspapers either on a freelance or editorial basis
galleries, museums and government
Course components

The course consists of a core of eight studio-based subjects in the first two years, and two large studio-based subjects in the third year. These are supported by a contextual theory component of six subjects, and a minor elective sequence of five subjects. In the minor electives, students can elect subjects from other courses in the School of Visual & Performing Arts, such as Graphic Design, Multimedia, Animation and Visual Effects, Television Production, Acting for Stage and Screen, Design For Theatre and Television, and Jewellery.

The emphasis in the first year is on the acquisition of technical and aesthetic skills for the production of photographic works via both digital and analogue mediums. These skills are underpinned by contextual studies in photo-history, design theory and cultural studies.

In the second year the course concentrates on exploring, extending and building upon technical and conceptual skills gained in the first year. Emphasis is placed on students producing creative works of a high standard. Topics such as advanced digital photography, studio formats and lighting, imaging theories and techniques including critical analysis and interpretation of photographic imagery are introduced at this level.

In the third year students identify and investigate areas of photographic practice of particlar relevance to their career aspirations. These studies are linked and supported by a research seminar program.
The latest facilities

To make sure you are experienced using the equipment and techniques found in the workplace, our facilities include:
digital photograpy facilities
digital imaging labs
analogue darkrooms
lighting studios
public gallery space
Hands-on experience

Students work collaboratively or individually on a range of photographic projects which may culminate in the production of a book, a CD-ROM or DVD, and a public exhibition of the work.
Graduation requirements

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 192 points (normally 22 subjects).

Course overview
Illustration and Animation looks to the interaction between the two disciplines to develop a strong authorial voice. At the heart of both disciplines is visual communication, and this is underpinned by the development of a personal visual language. Experimentation is seen as paramount in achieving this. A keen interest in the visual world should inform this experimentation and there is a strong emphasis on drawing as a means of exploring the visual environment. The development of sequential narratives through animation allows students to use structure and composition as a key ingredients and this feeds back into illustration work, while elements of autographic mark-making and the use of text and image developed through illustration practice feed into the visual language of animation.
Course Structure
In the First Year, students spend around one third of their studio time on animation projects and two thirds on illustration. In the Second Year this ratio is reversed, while in the third year students are expected to negotiate their practice. The illustration modules in first and second years are run jointly with students form the B.A. (hons) Illustration course. Throughout the programme a number of contextual studies modules are run culminating in a Research Seminar in Third Year

Level 1 (Year 1)
llustration Practice 1 (both semesters)

Illustration in the round (first semester)
This module examines the possibilities of using sequential images to create the illusion of a 3D space. Ideas of movement, parallax, on and off screen space, and timing are at the heart of this module. Students are expected to develop a reduced visual vocabulary to develop drawn animation.

Texture, Light and Surface (second semester)
This module introduces students to 3D animation software. In particular it looks at how sequential lighting, camera movement and framing can be used to create atmosphere and meaning. Students are expected to draw from the work of cinema and theatre direction to inform their own work.

Level 2 (Year 2)
Animation Practice (both semesters)
Students are expected to build on their previous animation experience to develop more complex and challenging films. The module runs over the whole academic year allowing students to create a number of animated pieces. Teamwork is a vital part of the animation industry and one of the briefs in this module will be a group project.

Drawing Studies (first semester)

Ideas Through Design (second semester)

Level 3 (Year 3)
Depending on the direction their work and career aspirations take them, students are expected to decide whether to concentrate more on illustration or animation in their final year. In Semester 1, students can chose between Showreel and Portfolio Presentation modules, while in Semester 2, the Major Project is self driven in negotiation with the teaching staff.

Showreel Preparation (first semester)
The third year sees the student consolidating practice within a professional framework. The Showreel Preparation module allows students the space to think holistically about animation and illustration and develop the means of presenting their work for different audiences.

Portfolio Preparation (first semester)

Major Project (second semester)
Students are expected to negotiate a programme of study in accordance with their career aspirations

Module guide
Year one core modules:
Illustration Practice 1
Illustration in the Round
Texture, Light and Surface
Illustration:Contextual Studies
Modern and Contemporary Illustration
Anglia Language Programme Module
Year two core modules:
Animation Practice
Ideas Through Design
Drawing Studies
Censorship in Text and Image
Contemporary Film and Video
Forms and Themes in Artists? Film and Video
Identities
Islamic Visual Culture
Issues in Contemporary Design
Traditions of Art
Visual Theories
Writing for Images
Anglia Language Programme Module
Year three core modules:
Showreel Preparation
Portfolio Preparation
Major Project
Research Seminar
Associated careers

There is a growing demand for illustrators, fine artists and graphic designers who have exposure to both 3D design and animation. Graduates from this course should certainly have the right skills to help meet that demand.
Assessment

Through written work and practice.
Links with industry

This course was written with the kind assistance of personnel from Nexus Productions, StudioAKA and Th1ng.
Other areas of interest

Each year our second year and third year students enter the D & AD awards. Students will be encouraged to take part in 3D animation and motion graphics events such as Resfest and OneDotZero, and both the London and Norwich International Animation Festivals.