Art Photography, BFA
Contacts
Laura Heyman, Program Coordinator
102 Shaffer Art Building, 315-443-1033, lheyman@syr.edu
Faculty
Yasser Aggour, Doug DuBois, Laura Heyman, Susannah Sayler
Description
This B.F.A. degree program is designed for art students who wish to use the photographic image as the starting point for creative work. The faculty recognizes that the practice of photography has undergone tremendous transformations both technically and conceptually in recent years. The programs curricula allow students to gain expertise in the full range of digital processes including image capture, lighting, post-production, and professional output. In addition, required courses and electives allow students to explore the full range of contemporary photographic practices including fashion, abstraction, documentary, and conceptual approaches. Students are encouraged to expand their photographic practice into other fields; bookmaking, installation, video and their photographic practices into other fields: bookmaking, installation, video, and performance art are all areas of active research. Among the vast array of subjects of study offered by the university environment, photography majors who are also interested in advertising and related fields have the opportunity to take courses electives in communications, rhetorical studies and graphic design.
Our facilities include state-of the art lighting studios, digital production stations, and analog black and white darkrooms. Hi-end digital SLR’s, medium and large format film cameras, and extensive lighting equipment are also available for student use.
Undergraduate students work closely with a faculty of professional artists whose work has been exhibited and published all over the world. Students also benefit from the photography program’s close association with Light Work, a nonprofit organization on campus that sponsors an internationally renowned visiting artist program and exhibitions in the Robert B. Menschel Photography Gallery. All our majors receive membership to Light Work which entitles use of their world-class production facilities.