Foundation Course

Summary

The foundation course is an eight-week introductory course aimed at those with basic or no experience in photography. It offers a comprehensive introduction to practical/technical know-how in both digital and elementary analogue photography, as well as theoretical knowledge in visual literacy, professional practice and technique.

The Foundation Course is designed to provide you with the necessary skills to photograph and process photographic images (in both digital and elementary analogue format); develop a portfolio of work and enable you to assist a professional photographer under close supervision and mentorship. The course is designed to lead onto our intermediate level course.

Duration: 8 weeks
Course start dates:
2 May 2013
26 June 2013
21 August 2013
9 October 2013
Times: Mon-Fri 09h00-17h00
Cost: R4000
Bursaries available

 

Outcomes

The outcomes of the course define the skills provided during the course and what you should be able to do by the end of the course.

Practical and Theoretical Technical Skills

  • Take photographs in available and elementary artificial light using a digital and elementary analogue camera
  • Organise personal photographic material in a physical and digital management system
  • Expose and process black and white photographs
  • Scan, download and store images in digital format
  • Perform basic retouching, dodging and burning in both analogue and digital formats
  • Apply and be able to discuss fundamental technical concepts to photographing, exposing and processing photographic imagery (aperture, shutter, ISO, light, focus, definition, contrast, depth of field, tonality, resolution)
  • Use word-processing, email and photo-editing applications on an Apple Mac computer

Visual Literacy 

  • Perform basic analysis of photographic imagery in relation to content and context 
  • Understand current context in relation to the history and development of photography
  • Understand and apply basic visual elements and how these elements communicate concepts
  • Understand subjectivity and objectivity in image analysis
  • Understand the implications of using multiple images (series) to communicate specific concepts
  • Gain insight into ethical issues in photography
  • Demonstrate basic skills in academic research and text writing  

Professional Practice

  • Observe basic ethical, legal, safety and security procedures and standards related to working with photographic materials and equipment, and photographing in public spaces
  • Demonstrate basic professional skills in interactions with others (punctuality, time management, reliability)
  • Write and format basic professional communications (invoices and business letters) and basic self-marketing material (personal bio and CV)
  • Produce a personal development plan

Assessment

The Market Photo Workshop employs a comprehensive approach to assessment that is focused on ensuring that you, the learner, are able to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to be a photographer. Each session that we have planned involves learning something new, and through observation and demonstration the MPW trainers and coordinators are able to support you in ensuring that you achieve these results for each session. Each week there is also an "Assessment Focus" session that concentrates on ensuring that you have grasped all the various conceptual, technical and practical skills that you have been exposed to during the previous week.

For your final assessment you will be required to produce a body of work that demonstrates your grasp of the basic technical/practical skills. This body of work will be presented in portfolio format and as a small exhibition. Your portfolio and exhibition will be accompanied by written tasks aimed at demonstrating your grasp of the professional practice and visual literacy aspects of the course, and you will be required to give a brief verbal presentation of your work. Reports will be issued to each of you after week 7, indicating whether you have achieved all the required outcomes and identifying areas of strength and weakness in your work. 

Methodology

While there is a lot of thinking, reading, discussing and debating involved in the course, we believe strongly that the knowledge you acquire must be evident in the work that you produce as a photographer. Therefore we seek to measure your learning on the course through applied tasks.

Each week is structured around a range of sessions that involve both intensive contact time with trainers and course coordinators, as well as time for students to have the opportunity to work independently, photographing and processing photographs, working in the computer lab, and spending time in the library. Each session with trainers involves an exciting and stimulating mixture of delivery methods aimed at ensuring that you emerge from the course able to confidently and independently apply the skills and knowledge that you have acquired:

  • Presentation/teaching
  • Demonstration
  • Doing/applying
  • Reflecting/evaluating/assessing

Written materials are to support the above, where relevant.

Equipment and resources

The Market Photo Workshop provides the use of cameras and equipment during your course. You will be required to pay a R300 deposit to rent a camera.

 

For application information please click here.