While each professor defines the content and structure of their respective studio blocks; the goals and objectives of all studio classes are fundamentally interconnected. Students will be introduced to each topic area on both conceptual and technical levels through presentations, discussions and hands-on demonstrations. Throughout the course of study, students will be encouraged to discover their individual voices and aesthetic sense after an in-depth study of photographic theory and exploration of concepts and techniques.
STUDIO BLOCKS
SPACES | PEOPLE
The SPACES and PEOPLE blocks will overlap one another to allow for a coherent sequence of introductions to each subject area. This comprehensive, 12 week studio block introduces students to topics ranging from nature, landscape, architecture, portraiture, fashion, advertising, photojournalism, documentary, events and fine art photography.
Nature / Landscape, Architecture
This block will introduce the fundamentals of photography and use of the camera, encouraging students to look. Starting from the basics, students will explore composition, lighting and contrast within the context of nature and architectural photography.
Portraiture
During this block, students will develop visual and technical capabilities in order to capture the essence of portraiture. This block will emphasize the creative exploration of natural lighting and location. Topics will also include developing concepts, approaching people and creating dynamic compositions, capturing mood and ambience.
Photojournalism
This block will explore the world of reportage and the editorial. Students will explore unique approaches to street photography including experimentation with different techniques (such as focus / blur, lens choice, daytime flash) to make compelling images. The course will take an in-depth look at all aspects of photojournalism including street-photography, shooting on assignment and the tricks of the trade to get access to locations and gain people’s trust.
Documentary
This block will emphasizes the humanistic experience provided by photography through the use of the camera as a means of understanding human beings. Students will observe and study human interaction in relation to each other, their environments and society by introducing the students to contemporary photographers and current trends in the genre of documentary.
Fashion
This block will emphasize the exploration of unique approaches and techniques to fashion photography. It will provide students with an understanding of the current methodologies used in the fashion industry and encourage them to take a fresh look at their surroundings to produce compelling images and narratives. Supported by guest speakers and photographers, students will be given a 360-degree tour of the fashion industry and an understanding of the necessary elements (different types of shoots / ramps, handling models, stylists etc.) for a successful shoot.
Advertising
This block of study prepares students for a photography career in the advertising / commercial field. It will cover topics of print, layout, colour and space constraints in context of advertising to produce compelling images. Emphasis will be laid on developing practical skills and work habits critical in today’s market, creative problem solving and the tricks to successful shoots. Concepts will start out in the form of composite renderings (thumbnail pencil sketch) translated into substantial images through techniques learnt during the course.
Event / Production
This block will provide the essential tools with which to approach and photograph events; including weddings, commercial events and fashion ramps. Students will be instructed in technical skills and made familiar with the equipment as well as the art of approaching people, capturing decisive moments and develop an aesthetic sense in relation to event photography,
Fine Art
This block will introduce students to basic black-and-white darkroom techniques. Topics covered will include principles of exposure, film development, darkroom printing, experimentation with paper and chemistry. The majority of class time will be devoted to working in the darkroom and building upon printing techniques.
STUDIO
This studio is a comprehensive 6 week block covering the fundamentals of studio lighting from basic to advanced techniques and equipment. The topics covered will include product, food, portrait, fashion and fine art photography.
Product, Food
This technical block will introduce the students to the fundamentals of studio lighting by first experimenting with inanimate objects such as products and food. In-class demonstration will cover the use of tungsten lights, electronic flash equipment, umbrellas and reflectors. The purpose of this course is to give students a basic understanding of the technical language of lighting and equipment involved in the studio.
Portrait, Fashion
This block will introduce all aspects of portraiture and fashion photography including advanced lighting techniques and camera positioning specific to portraiture, subject gestures, expressions, pose, ambience and props. The course will provide a thorough understanding of the roles of the fashion photographer and basis for further exploration in the field through lectures, illustrated slide shows, studio and location shooting sessions and critiques. Emphasis will be laid on developing practical skills and work habits critical in today’s market, creative problem solving and building a high-quality professional portfolio.
Fine Art
This block will introduce students to in-camera techniques and special effects used to create experimental and compelling images. The focus will be on experimentation and individual exploration of style, using all the knowledge and expertise acquired over the course of the semester.
THEORY COURSES
History of Photography
This course will survey the technical and stylistic movements throughout the history of photography from its beginnings in the 19th century to its evolution into an independent art form today. It will examine photography as a tool of cultural language and art making. Some of the most enduring figures and their philosophies in the fields of fashion, advertising, amateur journalism and studio photography will be examined in relation to the economic and social developments of their times. The course will consist of slide presentations and discussion. Students will be required to submit papers from class discussions, lectures and assigned readings.
Photographic Concepts
This course explores the intellectual and emotional concerns required to conceptualize an original, communicative and memorable image for a commercial assignment, personal and/or fine art project. Classroom hours encompass the work of selected contemporary and historical conceptual photographers, the use of metaphor and surrealism, ethics and socio-cultural influence of advertising imagery, research techniques, appropriate choice of traditional and alternative creative processes, personal style, visualization techniques, and effective image review techniques, including guidelines for overcoming creative blocks. This course is a hands-on course where students will be engaged in developing coherent ideas for their thesis project through a combination of research, critical writing and image-making.
Visual Thinking for the Editorial
This course will introduce students to the editorial desks of newspaper, media agencies and magazines worldwide and in Pakistan by going through the practical, ethical and aesthetic drill. It will provide an in-depth view of the ins and outs of becoming a successful editorial photographing through a comprehensive survey covering the historical aspect of the goals and objectives of editorial desks to current contemporary practices. Students will be introduced to all the nuances of the field including research, concepts, copyright issues, ethics and deadlines.
Contemporary Issues in Photography
This course will covers the use and role of photography and related media in contemporary culture where students will focus on theoretical and critical issues in contemporary photography practices. The course will explore issues of identity, gender, politics, religion and culture in the context of contemporary thought. A component of this course will also focus on the development of photography and photographic practices (both commercial and fine art) in Pakistan. Through directed readings and discussion, students will be required to submit weekly journals charting the development of their ideas about photography in relation to the work of other photographers and contemporary practices.
Photography and Multimedia
Through a survey of current photographic and multimedia practices (encompassing commercial, fine art, fashion, large-scale productions / events), this course will expand the visual vocabulary of students by introducing them to the principles of audio storytelling and encouraging them to integrate their vision and style with multimedia tools to create compelling multimedia experiences. Topics will include; shooting for multimedia experience, audio recording techniques, interview process and an introduction of tools and software to practically realize their artistic visions.
The Business of Photography I
This course is designed to help the students research their prospective markets, develop interpersonal skills and explore various avenues for marketing their skills as photographers. The fields of research will include commercial, portraiture, wedding, editorial and photojournalism. Various methods of local and international marketing including direct mail, public relations, networking, word-of-mouth; photographic agents and Internet advertising will be discussed. The portfolio will be extensively covered; exploring content, message, design and presentation. This course will also cover the legal, copyright and ethical issues related to photographic practices covering the language of business and contracts.
The Business of Photography II
This short course will introduce students to another stream of income for the professional photographer. The growth of the Internet has played an important role in the success of stock photography. The field has seen immense fusion, extraordinary growth, and the involvement of some of the world’s most gifted image-makers. This course will introduce students to the potential of stock photography in Pakistan and methods of involvment in the international market.
Web Design for Photographers
The development of a website is crucial for a professional photographer – the course will introduce students to the use Photoshop, Dreamweaver and Flash in conjunction with other web software to develop their personal websites. The workshop will introduce web graphics and image preparation (sizing / uploading) for online galleries. It will then move on to web preparation and animation. There will be also be a discussion of service providers so that by the end of the workshop all students should have a functioning web site using their own images and graphic, ready to upload.
Photography, Pakistan and the Future
This course is designed to make students aware of the roots and foundation of photography in Pakistan and conscientious of the contemporary future and potential of the medium in the country in all fields including commercial and fine art and their subsequent role in the advancement of the medium. This theory course will be interactive based on class discussions, student presentations, self-reflection and writing.
WORKSHOPS / SEMINARS
Composition and Concepts
This workshop will introduce the fundamental principles of photography and develop the skills for effective picture taking. Students will learn how to compose and understand the implications of visual elements, their roles and effects.
Digital Darkroom
This workshop introduces students to the underlying principles, languages and tools of digital photography by covering Photoshop and aspects of production from capture to process, enhancement to output to ensure. Through demonstrations and hands-on instruction, students will learn the fundamentals of film and print scanning, processing RAW files, colour correction and management, retouching and workflow, Adobe Lightroom and Aperture.
Visual Thinking for the Documentary
This workshop will introduce students to aesthetic approaches of photo-documentary taking into consideration the roles of text and sound. Students will learn the process of documentary making from how to find ideas, fund projects, gain access to subjects and ultimately produce a cohesive body of narrative work.
Alternative Photography
This workshop is an introduction to 19th century and nontraditional photographic processes including cyanotype, van dyke, gum bichromate, liquid emulsion, and image transfer. Through hands on workshops students will gain knowledge and acquire the fundamentals of alternative photography and techniques.
Production/Printing Methods
This workshop will introduce students to a comprehensive overview of printing methods (photographic and print) and provide them with the technical know-how of digital printing. It will also introduce them to the printing facilities and resources available in the country.
Photoshop/Advanced Photoshop
This workshop will introduce students to the advances in digital technology and their effect on the field of both fine art and commercial photography through an in-depth learning of Photoshop. Through the creative and experimental exploration of the skills learned in Digital Darkroom, students will engage in technical and aesthetic possibilities of digital photography and image manipulation. This course emphasizes the aesthetic, technical, and conceptual practices of image making, advanced colour correction, layering, masking and advanced digital darkroom effects such as toning, hand-colouring, infrared and solarization.
Design and Book Making
This workshop will introduce the students to a basic understanding of design, the grid in the context of photography and image placement for promotional materials and book publications. This workshop will specifically survey the methods of photographic bookmaking where students will explore possibilities for turning their photographic work into limited edition, self-published books. Demonstration and discussions will address design, content and structure. Through hands-on experience, students will learn book making that balances form with content in a deeply symbolic and provocative way.
The Art of Marketing
This workshop will prepare students to enter the professional world of photography by teaching students the key aspects of editing and marketing their photographic work. Topics will cover building, editing and presenting physical and digital portfolios. The course will also cover business contracts, handling billing, and maintenance of rights.
Curatorial Practices
This workshop introduces students to some of the contemporary theory and formal strategies integral to the critical and curatorial world of photography and related media. The session will build and understanding of the exhibition space by focusing on structures and strategies behind different curatorial models including galleries, museums, biennales, artist-led initiatives, corporate-led projects, public art and virtual curating. The goal of the session is to build an understanding of the role and influence of curatorial practices and introduce students to national and international curatorial practices, resources and exhibition opportunities.
Important | Curricula, courses and course outlines are continuously under review. The Indus Valley School reserves the right to alter, substitute, eliminate from or add to the list of courses and details at any time without notice.
