New Zealand Diploma in Photography

36 Weeks Full-Time Study

This qualification is for people seeking entry-level employment or those already employed in the photographic industry.

The photographic industry and creative and cultural sector in Aotearoa New Zealand will benefit by having photographers enter the sector who are trained at an intermediate level.

Graduates will be capable of self-managing within defined guidelines to create photographic works.

Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

-       Apply problem-solving skills to a range of design challenges within a photographic context.

-       Apply conceptual, creative and technical skills in photographic imaging.

-       Apply knowledge of image making and use of technologies relevant to a range of photographic applications and genres.

-       Create a range of photographic imaging works.

-       Analyse and evaluate own photographic work and the work of others.

-       Self-manage photographic project briefs within defined guidelines.

-       Behave professionally in a photographic work environment.

Graduates will be able to:

q  Graduates of this qualification will be able to work in junior technical or assistant roles within a photography environment.

q  Establish a photographic business in professional studio and digital photography, as well as photo restoration, colouring, photo illustration, responding to design briefs

q  Prepare and exhibit photographic work

q  Enjoy photography as a pastime, or as a job

Students need:

A fully manual 35mm Digital SLR camera, or equivalent, with appropriate lenses. and tripod.

A portable flash unit and appropriate slave synchronisation.  Mel Phillips will advise students on what is needed. 

A personal laptop computer with the software, Adobe lightroom, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premier. 

All statutory holidays are observed

Students are expected to complete a minimum of 18 hours per week of self directed learning, beyond the context of the classroom hours.

Any questions may be directed to Mel Phillips or Marie-Jean Mills, by contacting them via the email, telephone.  Feel free to call in and see our classes in action, and chat to the tutors about the programme and the facilities available.

Diploma of Photography

Students entering their second year of study are included into Whitireia NZ Batchelor of applied arts programme (Photography Major)

They undergo the academic training at Whitireia’s Porirua campus.

The photographic component is taught by The Photo School tutors at the Kapiti campus.

The students are directed through a series of lectures, workshops and studio time to further develop photographic skills and competencies.

The language of photography is explored and the understanding of photographic critique is developed.

The students are encouraged to develop a personal and photographic style and to work within a chosen, perhaps unique, photographic genre.

Students apply their photographic skills artistically and commercially in conjunction with appropriate mentoring, made available by industry professionals.

Bodies of work are produced expressing direction and competencies.

AIMS

To gain a greater understanding of the photographic language and develop skills in photographic critique. 

To study the influence photography has had in the development of western society.

To build on the technical knowledge and the photographic skill base developed in the first year.

To present a body of work showing clear artistic competencies, photographic skills and personal directions.

Areas of study

Fashion – The purpose of this paper develops technical, creative and management skills in the field of fashion photography. These may include but are not exclusive to: 

Historic and contemporary research presentation and critique.

Set building, location sourcing, styling, posing, make up and set management.

Digital Video – This paper develops an understanding of the potential narrative power of moving images.

To understand the commercial position of this genre, including research, production, revision, completion and evaluation. 

Documentary - This paper develops technical, creative and management skills in the field of documentary photography. 

These may include but are not exclusive to: 

Historic and contemporary research, presentation and critique.

The understanding of photographic image framing, story telling, editing and image sequencing.

Commercial – This paper develops and enhances skills in commercial photography. 

Areas of interest will be developed with a photographic working plan. 

A brief will be built for a potential client outlining intentions for the project.

Experimentation with concept driven imagery and assessment for aesthetic quality with appropriate technical attributes will be explored.

A body of work will be edited for presentation to the client. 

Major Project - This paper focuses on an individual body of work.

Including development and presentation of a proposal identifying an area of interest.

A meaningful portfolio of work will be presented for public viewing as evidence of development in creative and technical skills, signifying individual pathways. 

Whitireia Bachelor of Applied Arts (Visual Art & Design)

From February 2012 photography has been added to the range of media that students can study in this degree. 

The photography classes are delivered by lecturers from The Photo School. Some classes will be held at Whitireia New Zealand's Porirua Campus (two days a week), and the rest at the new Kapiti Campus (two days a week).  

Graduates holding both the Whitireia NZ Certificate in Practical Photography and Whitireia NZ Certificate in Advanced Photography (delivered by The Photo School) will be able to gain cross-credits to the first year of the degree, and enter at year two. It is possible for students to withdraw at the end of the second year of the degree with a Diploma in Visual Arts and Design.

Bachelor of Applied Arts majoring in Photography

This program is designed to progress the students understanding of how the photographic process can be used to illustrate personal and commercial ideas and concerns.

The students are directed through a series of lectures, workshops and studio time to further develop photographic skills and competencies. The photographic language is explored, and the understanding of photographic critique is developed.

Each student explores and communicates the influences on their own personal identity and develops an understanding, and the ability to express their own Kaupapa.

The students are encouraged to develop a personal and photographic style, and to work within a chosen, perhaps unique, photographic genre

Students apply their photographic skills artistically and commercially, to determine viability, in conjunction with the mentoring made available from industry professionals.

Bodies of work are produced expressing direction and competencies.

Whitireia’s focus is applied arts – that is, a strong emphasis is placed on the application of art forms, and the commercial viability of the art. Students in the third year of the degree programme are asked to strike a line of enquiry about something that interests them, and then to spend the year researching and developing a body of work around their ideas.