Bachelor of Fine Arts - Photography

The BFA degree builds on the core curriculum of fundamental principles by emphasizing the aesthetic and conceptual skills necessary for a professional portfolio. After completing the core curriculum, students choose to focus on commercial or editorial, fine art, or documentary courses. Upon graduation, students will be required to demonstrate an individual style and a unique approach to their chosen area of study.

Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

Conceptual and Problem-Solving Skills

• Make creative decisions that optimize conceptual impact, cohesiveness and memorability of created images
• Integrate key conceptual elements (such as mood, narrative, introducing the unexpected) with technical elements (such as composition, lighting, point of view) to suggest a story or elicit an emotional response from the viewer

Lighting Skills

• Master indoor and outdoor lighting, studio lighting techniques, lighting with constant light sources, and mixed lighting situations
• Work effectively with natural light and demonstrate understanding of the relationship between time of day and variations related to quality of light
• Work effectively with point source, flood, spot, diffused and reflected light

Camera Capture Skills

• Demonstrate full knowledge of digital SLR components
• Demonstrate complete understanding of exposure controls
• Effectively use a light meter for multiple lighting situations

Digital Imaging

• Apply advanced Photoshop techniques using various tools, layers, curves and selections with digital images
• Apply retouching skills and color correction knowledge consistent with industry standards

Digital Printing

• Produce professional quality prints
• Create high quality print portfolio demonstrating printing skill and overall quality of images required for petition to graduate
• Demonstrate understanding of archival qualities, including ink and paper stability

Professional Readiness

• Produce and present a professional portfolio that meets department expectations and industry standards
• Create promotional materials to support print portfolio and website
• Demonstrate knowledge of industry trends and professional practices related to professional photography

*Note App Fee Waiver in effect for ApplyBoard to reduce the application fee to $50*