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Photography is fundamental to visual expression in our culture. At RISD you will explore in depth how photographic images are made, presented and interpreted. Throughout the program, you will be encouraged to push the boundaries of the discipline and to challenge established ways of seeing.

Photography majors investigate many approaches to contemporary photographic image-making. Beginning with film processing and darkroom printing, you will move to digital capture and imaging in many forms, including high-end printing at medium and large scales, and web, installation, book and video projects. Evaluations are based on the thoughtfulness and articulation of your ideas as well as the development of your expressive and technical skills in response to assignments and self-defined projects.

Students often wonder if they will be trained in commercial photography at RISD. While many of the technical and conceptual skills taught here are applicable to fields such as advertising, fashion and editorial photography, professors emphasize a fine arts approach in order to educate students for a rich, lifelong engagement with the medium. That said, Photography majors benefit from a popular internship program that provides contacts with potential employers and grants elective credits for on-the-job experience. The department’s T.C. Colley Lecture Series and its Professional Practice electives also introduce students to commercial studios, photo agencies and a wide range of successful photographers.

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