PHO 404: Senior Project
Develop your creative directions in photography based on sound methodology and research.
Follow your creative passion by conceiving, producing, and promoting an innovative collection of images in alignment with your artistic and professional goals. This is your opportunity to focus on creating a unique cohesive series of images informed by research as well as instructor and peer feedback. During this course you will advance your ability to print, promote, and present your photographic work. At the conclusion of the course, you will exhibit your creative work through a website, social media, self-published book, exhibition, or other physical or virtual venue, as well as share it with your instructor and your peers.
About This Course
Project-Based Learning
Students will focus on creating a compelling and cohesive photography project of 10-15 images with a consistent theme, concept, or style. Depending on their artistic and professional goals, students may opt to center your project on commercial, editorial, fine art photography, or a different genre of photography. This project will allow the opportunity to plan, shoot, and edit a set of works with a unifying message or theme. Students will put on their marketing hats and print, promote, or present their project in physical or virtual media.
What Skills Will I Develop?
Students in this course can expect to learn to:
- Examine your existing body of work and creative goals to identify a topic(s) and/or project to plan, produce, present, and display as an exhibit (via “brick and mortar” and/or via digital exhibition).
- Research photographers and artists whose work you admire and explore how they exhibit and display their work. Explore multiple venues and strategies for professionally printing, presenting and displaying your creative work along with an artist statement.
- Professionally present research in alignment with the course content, assignment criteria, and presentation guidelines.
- Actively participate in class discussions/meetings, constructively assess the work of your peers, and enhance your creative work based upon feedback.
- Demonstrate effective and efficient use of your digital camera and create photographs with careful consideration of lighting, color, exposure, composition, art/design principles, and point of view in alignment with the course content and assignment criteria.
- Effectively conceptualize and post-process (cull, edit/enhance, and retouch), manage files, explore multiple image making techniques, exhibition printing/framing, and produce compelling, innovative, and professionally exhibit and/or publish ready images.
- Apply and demonstrate technically proficient retouching, careful consideration of contrast, cropping, exposure, and color correction techniques to improve or enhance photographic images to a professional level utilizing appropriate software such as Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Consider how to professionally print.
What Software and Supplies Do I Need?
- Computer with Internet connection.
- Access to a standalone digital camera with manual control over ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed, and White Balance, that allows for shooting in RAW format.
- Adobe Lightroom Classic or equivalent program.
- Basic experience in the software package needed for this course.
Course Instructor(s)
The course is taught by the following instructor(s):
Melanie Fiander
Melanie Fiander is a professional photographer and passionate educator who work has been featured in Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Abroad, New York Weddings, PDN, The Vendor Report, Scotland Wedding, and more.
Course Outline
Goals and Getting There
Where are you going, and how will you get there? Together we will look at some outstanding photographers to provide inspiration for your project. Your goal will be to find a photographer in a related field, to help you identify your artistic and professional goals as well as your photographic voice.
Perfecting Your Craft
For your project, you will be creating a cohesive collection of ten to fifteen images. We will discuss some goals for perfecting your photography craft in terms of skills, gear, lighting, models, and props.
Editing, Printing, and Displaying
Editing, printing, and displaying your photographs are important steps in preparing your work for the world. We'll discuss how to get your work ready and look at some examples.
Marketing and Artist Statements
You will research different methods of marketing used by photographers that you can use as a springboard for developing your own marketing materials.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How Do The Courses Work?
Our courses are project-based and instructor-led. In each course you’ll complete a series of lectures, projects, discussions, and critiques designed to stretch your creative skills. Weekly assignment deadlines keep you on track, so you can build your studies around your schedule. Two live Zoom meetings in this course provide the opportunity to work 1to1 with your instructor.
Who Are The Instructors?
Our courses are developed and taught by our industry-leading faculty of creative professionals. This means that you’ll learn in-demand skills, get feedback on your work, and build a portfolio of creative work. View our Student Gallery for featured student projects.
When Can I Start?
Classes start January, April, and August, and this course is completed in a 15-week term. This course is part of a Bachelor's Degree program at Sessions College.
How Do I Register?
To register for a program, complete our program application. This course is not available for individual enrollment; it can only be taken as part of a program.
Is Sessions College Accredited?
Yes. Since 2001, Sessions College has been accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).