<p>Anyone have anything to tell me about the Photography programs?</p>
<p>I was a Sculpture undergrad at RISD and I took one photo lighting class that was really helpful. The photography department covers 2 floors of their small design building, which also houses graphic design. From what I know, they have dark rooms, printing stations, equipment checkout (called the cage), a gallery and a lighting studio. There’s about 10 people per grade. People seem really chill and laid back in general and very hipster. </p>
<p>People are required to take a few photo classes including history of photography. Besides that, they can take specific themed classes such as documentary photography, black and white, portrait, and more. The general way photography is taught here is to go out take take lots of photographs then come back to critique in group.
This past year for my lighting class, the most advanced digital camera I could check out were the Canon Mark ii’s, which can tether into Lightroom and Capture One. I would say that the department is pretty well equipped, but can do even better in being in with the times. It is relatively easy for people to focus on traditional photography too.
There is lots of room to take studios from other majors, so it would be best to fight your way into the film department or graphic design department or the painting department depending on your focus. Senior year, there is a thesis requirement, which involves doing a series that focuses on one subject and then showing at the photo gallery curated with a group of classmates.
I would say that the photo department is definitely more fine arts focused than commercial. There’s no guarantee that you’ll know your gadget terminology, rather this is the place to exercise ideas. In general RISD doesn’t focus on skill, just conceptual thinking.</p>