About BA (Honours) in Photography

Level 8 Award           
Application: CAO

What is Photography?

Think of the number of photographs you see every day, from the magazine to the billboard poster, from bus shelters to galleries. Through its many uses in fashion, advertising/publicity, digital media and contemporary art practice, photography now holds a central position in our increasingly visual society.

The art of photography is evolving across a wide range of cultural industries. Creative image-makers need to have a deeper understanding of photography’s role as a “visual communicator”, and how this affects and is influenced by everything around it. Only then will they be able to utilise the true power of photography.

Our degree explores photography within the context of art, communications and the moving image. You will study the photographic theory, history and practice that reflect the changing needs of students and the demands of the communications/cultural sectors.

You will have access to a unique range of facilities that allow you to engage with photographic technologies from the 19th century, through to current, cutting-edge digital media. And you will work with staff who are at the leading edge of contemporary photographic practice and criticism. 

Aims and Objectives

What modules will I study?

Year 1

Photography and Communication; Understanding the Photographic Image; Photographic Practice I – Darkroom, Digital Imaging I & II; Photographic Practice II – Studio; 19th Century Photography – Debates and Practices; Photographic Practice III - Narrative

Year 2

Photographic Practice IV – Colour; Post Modernism and the Photographic Image; Digital Imaging III & IV; Photographic Practice V – Large Format; Modernism, Modernity and the Photographic Image; Photographic Practice VI – Self Initiated Project 

In addition, you will be able to choose one module from the School of Creative Arts’ bank of electives. *

Year 3

Photography and National Identity; Photographic Practice VII & IX – Pathways and Contexts I & II; Photographic Practice VIII – Alternative Processes; Thesis Preparation; Business Studies

Year 4

Dissertation; Photographic Practice X – Portfolio; Photographic Practice XI - Exhibition

Are there any costs for materials and/or field trips?

Approx. €1,000 per year plus exceptional purchases, field trips, preparation for exhibitions, national / international competitions
Graduate Exhibition cost in year 4
 
 
What will I be able to do when I graduate?

Opportunities exist in the growing digitally-based photography industry, in Ireland and abroad. Our graduates are working in commercial and artistic photographic practices, the arts and creative industries sector, in print, publishing and new media, as well as the developing information and digital-based industries.

What are the entry requirements?  

• Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent) with a minimum of Grade C3 in two Higher (or Common) Level papers, together with Grade D3 in four other subjects, to include English and Ordinary Level Mathematics or Higher level Mathematics. Foundation Level Mathematics is acceptable
  
• A portfolio of relevant work
  
• You may be called for interview if further clarification on your portfolio is required
  
• Applicants with FETAC awards require distinctions in 3 (of 8) modules

FETAC Links for this programme are:

• AACDX: Art, Craft, Design
  
• AAXXX: Art
  
• EMMPX: Multimedia Production
  
• EMPXX: Media Production
  
• EPXX: Photography
  

CAO Points in 2010: 760 (Combination of Leaving Certificate and Portfolio assessment points)

We welcome applications from mature students, who must apply to the CAO.

What should my Portfolio include?

A portfolio is a sample collection of your best work. It should be edited, easy to look through, and well presented.

Your portfolio should:

• Be selective: include and highlight only your best work, excluding early works unless there are some exceptional pieces. Do not “pack” it with any more than 30 pieces. (We appreciate quality, not quantity)
  
• Show evidence of hard work, commitment and quality
  
• Not include 3D work (only 2D documentation of 3D work)
  
• Clearly identify your role if team work is included
  
• Include notebooks, cuttings, creative sketchbooks or visual diaries indicating your interest in the discipline
  
• Present your work to your best possible advantage
  
• Not be a copy from photographs. Do not include any artwork which is a copy of someone else’s work
  
• Include a CV (one per programme applied to) with details of hobbies, technical skills and involvement in activities related to the programme you are applying to. As information on age or educational background is not used for assessment purposes, this should not be included in your CV.
  

We would like to see a portfolio that demonstrates a high level of visual skill, creativity, self-motivation, inventiveness, experimentation, flexibility and stylistic variation.

For this programme, make sure you:

• Include 20-30 pieces of work
  
• Indicate the duration of your interest in photography
  
• Include work illustrating your level of experience and technical competence to-date
  
• Provide examples of any work published to-date
  
• Include work which shows your level of understanding of composition, light, texture and form when creating photographic images
  
• Provide examples of both monochrome and colour photographs.
  

* Second Year elective modules

During your second year you will have an opportunity to choose one module from a bank of elective options.

This module allows you to work with students and staff from other programmes in the School and to explore combinations of materials, processes, creative strategies and critical thinking which will give you a greater appreciation of your main area of study.

Electives have been designed to encourage collaboration and experimentation and to broaden and deepen your understanding of the creative arts. They range in content from theatre and performance to media and politics, and include a wide range of learning experiences including overseas visits, practical workshops, lectures and seminars.

The current bank of elective modules includes:

• Photography - Digital Imaging
  
• Performance in the Arts
  
• Animation Principles Experimental / 3D
  
• Theatre Workshop
  
• Drawing
  
• Introduction to Comics: Art and Culture
  
• Media and Politics in Ireland
  
• Sonic Arts
  
• Creative Cities
  
• Puppetry
  

‘No matter how slow the film, spirit always stands still long enough for the photographer it has chosen.”  Minor White.

Visit www.iadtprojects.com to see the project work of our 2010 graduates

 

About BA (Honours) in Photography

Level 8 Award           
Application: CAO

What is Photography?

Think of the number of photographs you see every day, from the magazine to the billboard poster, from bus shelters to galleries. Through its many uses in fashion, advertising/publicity, digital media and contemporary art practice, photography now holds a central position in our increasingly visual society.

The art of photography is evolving across a wide range of cultural industries. Creative image-makers need to have a deeper understanding of photography’s role as a “visual communicator”, and how this affects and is influenced by everything around it. Only then will they be able to utilise the true power of photography.

Our degree explores photography within the context of art, communications and the moving image. You will study the photographic theory, history and practice that reflect the changing needs of students and the demands of the communications/cultural sectors.

You will have access to a unique range of facilities that allow you to engage with photographic technologies from the 19th century, through to current, cutting-edge digital media. And you will work with staff who are at the leading edge of contemporary photographic practice and criticism. 

Aims and Objectives

What modules will I study?

Year 1

Photography and Communication; Understanding the Photographic Image; Photographic Practice I – Darkroom, Digital Imaging I & II; Photographic Practice II – Studio; 19th Century Photography – Debates and Practices; Photographic Practice III - Narrative

Year 2

Photographic Practice IV – Colour; Post Modernism and the Photographic Image; Digital Imaging III & IV; Photographic Practice V – Large Format; Modernism, Modernity and the Photographic Image; Photographic Practice VI – Self Initiated Project 

In addition, you will be able to choose one module from the School of Creative Arts’ bank of electives. *

Year 3

Photography and National Identity; Photographic Practice VII & IX – Pathways and Contexts I & II; Photographic Practice VIII – Alternative Processes; Thesis Preparation; Business Studies

Year 4

Dissertation; Photographic Practice X – Portfolio; Photographic Practice XI - Exhibition

Are there any costs for materials and/or field trips?

Approx. €1,000 per year plus exceptional purchases, field trips, preparation for exhibitions, national / international competitions
Graduate Exhibition cost in year 4
 
 
What will I be able to do when I graduate?

Opportunities exist in the growing digitally-based photography industry, in Ireland and abroad. Our graduates are working in commercial and artistic photographic practices, the arts and creative industries sector, in print, publishing and new media, as well as the developing information and digital-based industries.

What are the entry requirements?  

• Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent) with a minimum of Grade C3 in two Higher (or Common) Level papers, together with Grade D3 in four other subjects, to include English and Ordinary Level Mathematics or Higher level Mathematics. Foundation Level Mathematics is acceptable
  
• A portfolio of relevant work
  
• You may be called for interview if further clarification on your portfolio is required
  
• Applicants with FETAC awards require distinctions in 3 (of 8) modules

FETAC Links for this programme are:

• AACDX: Art, Craft, Design
  
• AAXXX: Art
  
• EMMPX: Multimedia Production
  
• EMPXX: Media Production
  
• EPXX: Photography
  

CAO Points in 2010: 760 (Combination of Leaving Certificate and Portfolio assessment points)

We welcome applications from mature students, who must apply to the CAO.

What should my Portfolio include?

A portfolio is a sample collection of your best work. It should be edited, easy to look through, and well presented.

Your portfolio should:

• Be selective: include and highlight only your best work, excluding early works unless there are some exceptional pieces. Do not “pack” it with any more than 30 pieces. (We appreciate quality, not quantity)
  
• Show evidence of hard work, commitment and quality
  
• Not include 3D work (only 2D documentation of 3D work)
  
• Clearly identify your role if team work is included
  
• Include notebooks, cuttings, creative sketchbooks or visual diaries indicating your interest in the discipline
  
• Present your work to your best possible advantage
  
• Not be a copy from photographs. Do not include any artwork which is a copy of someone else’s work
  
• Include a CV (one per programme applied to) with details of hobbies, technical skills and involvement in activities related to the programme you are applying to. As information on age or educational background is not used for assessment purposes, this should not be included in your CV.
  

We would like to see a portfolio that demonstrates a high level of visual skill, creativity, self-motivation, inventiveness, experimentation, flexibility and stylistic variation.

For this programme, make sure you:

• Include 20-30 pieces of work
  
• Indicate the duration of your interest in photography
  
• Include work illustrating your level of experience and technical competence to-date
  
• Provide examples of any work published to-date
  
• Include work which shows your level of understanding of composition, light, texture and form when creating photographic images
  
• Provide examples of both monochrome and colour photographs.
  

* Second Year elective modules

During your second year you will have an opportunity to choose one module from a bank of elective options.

This module allows you to work with students and staff from other programmes in the School and to explore combinations of materials, processes, creative strategies and critical thinking which will give you a greater appreciation of your main area of study.

Electives have been designed to encourage collaboration and experimentation and to broaden and deepen your understanding of the creative arts. They range in content from theatre and performance to media and politics, and include a wide range of learning experiences including overseas visits, practical workshops, lectures and seminars.

The current bank of elective modules includes:

• Photography - Digital Imaging
  
• Performance in the Arts
  
• Animation Principles Experimental / 3D
  
• Theatre Workshop
  
• Drawing
  
• Introduction to Comics: Art and Culture
  
• Media and Politics in Ireland
  
• Sonic Arts
  
• Creative Cities
  
• Puppetry
  

‘No matter how slow the film, spirit always stands still long enough for the photographer it has chosen.”  Minor White.

Visit www.iadtprojects.com to see the project work of our 2010 graduates