It would be hard to imagine contemporary visual culture without digital photography. The on-the-spot registration and verification of photos is used by many people, explaining its popularity with vast numbers of consumers. The rise of digital photography has made the use of photo-sensitive materials (film and paper) practically superfluous. Almost universally, the traditional darkroom has been replaced by the PC and printers or plotters. Given the current state of technology, digital images are relatively easy to retouch and manipulate (to sandwich and to sample), and they are also easily stored and distributed. Professional image-makers critically analyse new technology and apply their insights in the fine arts or commercial professional practice. It is especially the accentuation of substantive content and personal vision that enables the professional to stand out from the amateur photographer.

This course is intended for those who have an affinity with global visual culture – especially with communication that makes use of images. The course is structured on the basis of substantive content. The development of concepts and visual research lead to a personal vision and style. You are also encouraged to gauge the authenticity of your ideas on the basis of the work you produce. Pivotal issues in this field are how you process and optimize, reproduce and proliferate or present and store your photos. The course obviously provides you with a solid technical grounding, which includes the ‘traditional’ techniques of analogue photography. Your training equips you to work as a photographer, independently or as an employee of a bureau or business.