Photography 1

Module Identifier: AR20720
Module Title: Photography 1
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Semester: Semester 1
Co-ordinator: Miss Eleanor West
Reading List: View on Aspire
Exclusive (Any Acad Year): AR27040
These modules are taught concurrently
Other Staff: Dr Naomi Pearce

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Portfolio: Submission of a digital portfolio and physical portfolio of final prints.	100%
Supplementary Assessment	Portfolio: Submission of a digital portfolio only.	100%

Learning Outcomes

Develop a body of photographic work in response to the module theme.
Create a portfolio of photographic practice that demonstrates skill in the basic techniques of analogue and digital photography including exposure, film development and printing.
Articulate your creative processes and how you arrived at your final selection of prints, including reference to contemporary art practice and appropriate contextual research.
Understand the rationale behind the application of photographic skills to other areas of photographic and art practice.

Brief description

Photography enables us to express our ideas visually through the capture of light itself. Photography 1 & 2 introduces students to the basics of traditional analogue and digital photographic processes. Students will discover the creative potential of the medium, as well as develop an understanding of its core mechanics (optics, light, exposure, etc.). This module offers an introduction to the language of photography within the context of art practice whilst also exploring its exciting and continuously developing history.

Content

In this module, you will learn how to use a film camera to expose and develop photographic film, as well as how to make traditional prints in the darkroom. You will also explore the basics of digital photography and how to scan photographic film, allowing you to work digitally with film photography.

This module is delivered through practice-based workshops, demonstrations, and talks that focus on core technical skills and inspiring photographic practice examples. Group tutorials will provide critical feedback on students’ work from both peers and staff. By the end of the module, students will have created a physical and digital portfolio of photographic prints on a specific theme, utilising both digital and analogue processes.

Module skills

Skills type	Skills details
Adaptability and resilience	Students will learn how to receive and give constructive feedback, developing skills in both adaptability and resilience.
Co-ordinating with others	Using subject specific equipment in dedicated studio spaces / darkrooms / MacSuite requires teamwork. Small group tutorials and outdoor field work reinforces team/group ethos.
Creative Problem Solving	Problem solving is inherent and evidential in the production of photographic artworks.
Digital capability	Research visual imagery and access email, Blackboard, Photoshop, etc. is explained and students referred to IS Helpdesk if necessary.
Professional communication	Discussion of photographs in individual and group classes throughout semester. Written communication of ideas and project development.
Reflection	Mode of teaching during practicals and tutorials provides feedback during the semester giving students ample opportunity to respond to feedback.
Subject Specific Skills	Student will develop their understanding of the technical aspects of photographic practice. Including traditional darkroom processes, camera function, both digital and film, lens apertures and depth of field.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5