Dr Paul Cabuts Academic Subject Leader in Photography at University of Wales Newport
www.newport.ac.uk/Film-Photography-and-Digital-Media
[expand title=”1. What should students be asking about the course (Facilities and Visiting Lecturers . . .)” alt=”1. What should students be asking about the course (Facilities and Visiting Lecturers . . .)”]
Students should firstly find out what the course is about. The are lots of ‘general’ photography courses that teach a bit of everything – most often the best courses are those with a specific focus on an aspect of photography. At Newport, for example, there are courses in documentary photography, photographic art and photography for fashion and advertising.
It is important to make sure that the facilities such as darkrooms, studios and computers are good and that you will get access to them. Check who is teaching on the course – are they successful photographers? No point being taught by someone who has little knowledge of working in photography! Does the course benefit from regular lectures from high profile guests, and does it engage with the creative industries through galleries, photo agencies and publishers?[/expand]
[expand title=”2. Once a student has achieved the appropriate UCAS points what sort of qualities should they emphasise in their application? (What are you looking for – Do you look for extra curricular activities?)” alt=”2. Once a student has achieved the appropriate UCAS points what sort of qualities should they emphasise in their application? (What are you looking for – Do you look for extra curricular activities?”]
Photography is about communication so the detail within every image is essentially important; as is the way a series of images is put together. Basically, we are looking for students that have something to say about the subjects in their photographs and can also use photography to express ideas. We are keen to see that students understand the importance of finding the right outlets for their images whether via magazines, books, the web, mobile devices, or the gallery. Each of Newport’s current courses, whether in documentary photography, photographic art or photography for fashion and advertising, have students that produce work that is not only interesting and exciting, but most often reaches a wide audience through some form of dissemination.
Being successful in photography is never just about taking a good picture – students need to show an awareness of this. It is good if students can show they already engage with the visual arts such as visiting galleries, but also if they show they are active doing other things in the world such as volunteering or perhaps undertaking work experience. We are looking for a range of skills, which include those gained outside of the photography world.[/expand]
[expand title=”3. What do you want to see in a portfolio?” alt=”3. What do you want to see in a portfolio?” ]
Different courses will be looking for different things. For example, documentary photography will be looking to see if the student can tell simple stories through a series of photographs. The photography for fashion and advertising course will want to see how students communicate a message through a photograph such as “this is great – you must buy one”. The photographic art course will be more interested in experimentation and how students are exploring ideas through photography.
What they all have in common is they will be looking for evidence of the basic skills in photography, which are:
CREATIVITY AND ORIGINALITY
Choice of subject and approach
Invention in choice and use of techniques
Experimentation with ideas, film and equipment
COMMUNICATION
The expression of thoughts and feelings
The interest generated by the pictures
The clarity of message and subject
DESIGN AND SELECTION
The control of framing
The choice of viewpoint
The composition and organisation
TECHNICAL COMPETENCE
The control of focus
Exposure
The correct operation of the equipment[/expand]
[expand title=”4. Can you suggest anything that would be good advice to students?” alt=”4. Can you suggest anything that would be good advice to students?”]
To succeed in anything you need determination, so be prepared to continually learn and not be afraid of hard work. In some ways, the key factor is follow your instincts and keep working on the things that excite you rather than chasing someone else’s dream. The best photographers are those who allow their own personality to come through in their photographs. At Newport we are only interested in developing the individual’s approach to photography, rather than turning students into non-thinking clones. To be the best, you have to be yourself whilst respecting your subjects and the works of other photographers.[/expand]
