Art Degrees Online

Since the making of images is an intellectual process, the education of the artist should go considerably beyond instruction of technique and media. The artistic process, at its best, is creative intuitive, analytical and highly sophisticated. It requires all the knowledge, discipline, sensitivity and awareness of liberally educated intelligence. Students in the program will gain the technical and intellectual preparation necessary for the development of their own personal creative solutions and the means to make better-informed career decisions.

This program will prepare graduates to:

Master the technical aspects of the medium of photography.
Demonstrate technical mastery in all aspects of the SLR camera, both film and digital.
Demonstrate technical proficiency with medium and large format cameras.
Demonstrate practical knowledge of the medium’s technical applications.
Demonstrate knowledge of a wide range of lighting techniques including studio, environmental, tungsten and electronic strobe systems.
Master practices and techniques of the darkroom and digital lab and demonstrate proficiency in the areas of: film processing, digital capture, black and white printing, Type C color printing, and digital output.

Demonstrate knowledge of photography’s visual history.
Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the visual arts and its impact on social and visual culture.
Demonstrate knowledge of the history of photography, its practices and visual evolution from 1839 to the present.

Demonstrate field-specific critical thinking skills
Demonstrate knowledge of photography’s place in the field of visual communication.
Analyze, discuss and critique photographic images considering technical, aesthetic and conceptual applications.

Apply photographic skills
Demonstrate the ability to engage in various photographic practices, including, but not limited to: portrait photography, studio / product illustration, documentary photography/journalism, digital photography, and fine art photography.

Demonstrate ethical responsibility in use of the photographic medium
Demonstrate ability to examine individual situations, act ethically, and reflect upon the consequences of images in society at large.
Demonstrate knowledge of the impact that visual culture has had throughout history and reflect on photography’s potential to inspire positive change in our global society.

Demonstrate enhanced knowledge, skills and values consistent with the Core Curriculum
Demonstrate information literacu and the ability to use computers and other technology for a variety of purposes.
Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
Demonstrate recognition, understanding, and respect of the complexity of socio-cultural and international diversity.
Develop insight and self-reflection and become resourceful in finding effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement.

Illustrate realistic ideas to implement knowledge, skills, and values in occupational pursuits in a variety of settings.
Formulate portfolios, which will direct them towards their specific career goals or towards the pursuit of a graduate degree in the visual arts.
Demonstrate an ability to adequately prepare their work for exhibition venues.

The Photography Program at the College of Visual Arts embraces the overarching principles of photography, including a comprehensive understanding of darkroom and digital techniques, plus an historic and working understanding of alternative processes in photography.

After completion of the first year Foundation Program, students embrace their photography program with hands on camera and darkroom work, in both black and white and color. The objective is for students to gain an in depth understanding of how an image can be created through careful photographic manipulation.

The advanced photography classes build on this foundation teaching the use of medium and large format cameras, working in the studio on lighting strategies, understanding metering, film choices, and other professional techniques. Simultaneously, students address content, exploring the power of the medium and contemporary issues in photography. These issues are further explored within the history of photography and the art and criticism courses in the Liberal Arts Program.

In the third year, students will examine the techniques and possibilities of digital photography. They will investigate digital capture and film scanning, color management, advanced image editing with Adobe Photoshop, outputting to the web, use of our archival photo inkjet printers with beautiful 100% rag art papers, how to work with service bureaus, and how to best implement a digital work flow into their practice.

In the final year students will explore age-old alternative photographic processes. This will include compounding sensitizers and hand coating beautiful art papers to create cyanotypes, gum bichromate, platinum/palladium, and other hands on processes that will round out an understanding of the old and new of photography.

Through CVA’s internship program, students will have an opportunity to explore the various professional opportunities open to photographers. This experience will be supported by the development of a professional portfolio in conjunction with the capstone Photo Studio and Seminar Thesis courses.

The Photography and Digital Imaging program at MCTC integrates traditional film-based photo technology with the ever changing and expanding world of digital imaging.

Coursework covers metering techniques, lighting, traditional darkroom techniques, portraiture, fashion, and product photography. You will use 35mm, medium format, and large format cameras and the latest in digital capture and output technology. The complete digital workflow process is covered.

While being occupational and technical in nature, the Photography and Digital Imaging curriculum will encourage your creativity and individualized expression through hands-on assignments and personalized instruction. You will graduate from the program with a professional portfolio and a working knowledge of the professional photographic industry.

You will be required to provide your own 35mm and digital SLR cameras and lenses, professional light meter, supplies, visual curiosity and a desire to learn.

This program has an articulation agreement with the Metropolitan State University and Bemidji State University.