Photography

Photography is universal with a trillion pictures now taken round the globe a year. It has an importance to individuals, groups and businesses like no other art form, capturing stories, representing dreams, driving political change, promoting ideas and brands. Professional photography, that stands out in this age of the image, is at a premium in a host of different sectors.

Our course is wide-ranging and flexible, giving you the skills and experience to find the areas that excite you most, and you’ll be able to work in moving image as well as still. Great photography requires much more than technical learning; we’ll give you pathways and inspiration to develop a powerful, individual, creative approach. You don’t need to have studied photography previously to join this course but you need a photographer’s hunger to explore your world and imagine or discover others through a lens.

You will have access to the latest equipment and facilities as well as traditional darkrooms and film cameras. Our team of experienced lecturers and technicians have rich and varied professional experience. They will empower you with creative and technical skills, and a deep understanding of the context and potential of your own practice. After exploring a range of genres within studio and location photography, you can choose to pursue either the Editorial Photography pathway which includes: Documentary, Fashion, Portrait; or the Photographic Art pathway with a focus on: Landscape, Constructed Image and Fine Art.

You will take part in exhibitions and visit photo festivals both in the UK and abroad to broaden your horizons. We have collaborative projects with USA photography courses as well as projects at community level.

You will be supported by a team of experienced Lecturers and Technicians all talented photographers in their own right who bring rich and varied professional experience to the learning environment. We teach in small groups and provide individual tutorials and tutor support throughout your studies. Live projects and industry links with image agencies such as Alamy and Troika provide a professional edge to your studies.

Industry Links
You will work on live projects for a variety of clients such as HSBC, Mind & Alamy and engage through specialist lectures with some of the best UK photographers such as Simon Roberts, Anna Fox, Zed Nelson, Chloe Dewe Mathews and others. Final Year Students have opportunity for portfolio reviews from important industry insiders such as Bridget Coaker of Troika Editions and Lorentz Gullachsen. Our fellows include world class photographers Don McCullin and John Bulmer.

After this Course
Our graduates have a diverse range of photographic practice including: documentary, travel, wedding and events, architectural, advertising and fashion, photo retouching, magazine features editor, television camera operation, fine art and curation. Many graduates have also continued to postgraduate MA study or developed careers in teaching and arts administration.

Highlights

1. A stimulating creative media studio environment

2. Excellent facilities including two photographic studios and a traditional darkroom.

3. Small group teaching with great access to tutors and expert technical support.

4. Professional exhibition experience, at regional or national level.

5. Opportunity to work alongside media professionals on live briefs and participate in national photographic competitions.

6. A range of inspiring modules to enable you to experience the diversity of photography.

7. Visiting lecturers including some of the most successful UK photographers.

8. Visits to exhibitions and visit photo festivals both in the UK and Abroad.

9. No house style – we value your creativity and individuality.

10. Subject to revalidation

Course Modules

From your first day at HCA you will work as a creative, developing your skills and your own voice through a series of projects. You will develop your creative practice, practical skills alongside your critical awareness and theoretical knowledge. You will study a range of modules that build your knowledge and confidence and total 120 credits each year.

YEAR ONE: Practice in Context 1 (20 Credits), Practice 1 (30), Practice 2 (30), Foundations for Learning (20). Skills 1 (20)

YEAR TWO: Practice in Context 2 (20), Practice 3 (30), Practice 4 (30), Professional Practice 1 (20), Skills 2 (20)

YEAR THREE: Practice in Context 3 (20), Practice 5 (30), Practice 6 (60), Professional Practice 2 (10)