Area Head: Mona Bozorgi
The FSU Photography program focuses on the development of individual vision where the student can explore the contemporary uses, techniques, and theories of photography. The photography curriculum offers coursework examining both traditional and digital skills, while stressing an understanding of the histories and theories of the media. The photography area is perfectly positioned in a larger, highly interdisciplinary department where students are encouraged to see how their photographic explorations can build on the skills learned in other courses. Students pursuing a BA/BFA or a graduate-level MFA often merge their photography with other media such as printmaking, sculpture, digital media, video, or painting. This interdisciplinary focus mimics both the commercial applications of the media as well as its role in the large art world.
The intentionally small size of each of our courses fosters an atmosphere for technical and critical experimentation, allowing faculty to provide group and individualized instruction to students actively engaged in the dialogue of photography. In doing so, students are encouraged to pursue projects of their own content within the context of the larger contemporary art dialogues, understanding their own practice not only in relation to other photographers, but to artists and makers in other fields as well.
In the Photography area, students can choose a Photography focus, or a focus on Photographic and Artists’ Books.
Recent graduates have pursued careers in commercial photography, photography archive management, photo editing and design, or pursued additional graduate studies at some of the finest graduate programs in the United States.
Facilities include an 11 station digital photography lab, where each Macintosh computer station is outfitted with Epson flatbed/ transparency scanners and inkjet printers. Advanced students have additional access to large format Epson digital printers and an Imacon film scanner. The program also has a 15 station traditional darkroom space with 4×5 enlargers, areas for nonsilver and mural printing processes, and a Risograph Printer/Duplicator. The Photography area hosts a large selection of equipment for checkout: from beginner film cameras to video and advanced lighting equipment. Advanced students have access to the LightBox, a fully equipped lighting studio for image creation or artwork documentation. As an additional resource, the Photography program is active in building a large collection of contemporary photography books in the General and Special Collections of the University library.
The facilities also include printing services for art majors needing large format prints.
See also Laptop Computer Requirements.