The Photography Program teaches photography as a medium of self-expression. Our emphasis is on personal vision, experimentation, and an understanding of the history of photography and the body of criticism that surrounds it. We prepare students for a career in the photographic arts and introduce them to a wide variety of the necessary tools. We encourage the study of and respect for the medium's traditions and the exploration of new ideas and techniques.

The program provides a strong technical foundation. We teach techniques such as color, alternative printmaking, view camera, fine black and white printing, palladium printing, toning, Polaroid, multiple image making, and collage. Students can apply these skills in commercial environments.

Students follow a common sophomore program designed to give a firm technical and aesthetic background in black and white and color photography. Juniors use large format cameras. Digital Photography is required before the second semester of the junior year. Seniors come together in a year-long, seminar-style final portfolio preparation course.

We also offer cross-concentration classes, in which we encourage you to explore the boundaries of the medium, such as one taught by Laura McPhee in collaboration with sculpture professor Judy Haberl. "Object and Image" consists of half sculptors and half photographers, who create objects which incorporate photographs.

The studios and darkrooms have 11,000 square feet of work stations and darkrooms with full ventilation, and galleries. These facilities meet extremely high standards for worker safety, convenience, and optical quality. New printing facilities accommodate mural-size prints and nonsilver processes. With color processing and printing equipment, the facility is set up for artists working in either color or monochrome.

A remarkable group of artists teach in the department. They include Barbara Bosworth, Laura McPhee, Abelardo Morell, and Nick Nixon. We are proud of our diverse and well-recognized faculty, many of whom have received Guggenheim fellowships. All faculty are artists who publish and exhibit frequently. Their work ranges from the landscape photography of Barbara Bosworth and Laura McPhee, to Amelardo Morell's work with books, maps, children's toys and camera obscura images of rooms, and the social documentary of Nick Nixon and studio manager Steve Tourlentes.

Our location in Boston makes it possible for students to attend a wide array of exhibitions of contemporary and historical photography and to visit artists and curators who work in the area. Visiting artists are an integral part of the program, and the department has a strong visiting artists and critics lecture series, including critics as Andy Grundberg and Doug Nickel; artists such as Vik Muniz, James Casebere, Kim Yasuda, Rebecca Solnit, Lois Conner, Linda Connor; Peter Garfield, Joan Fontecuberta and Ed Grazda. Visiting professors include A.D.Coleman, Virginia Beahan, Mike Mandel, and Frank Gohlke..

The A-4 Photography Gallery, located in the department, features changing exhibitions of the work of outside artists. We work with agencies and businesses to provide opportunities for students to work while in school-internships with the MFA, the Polaroid Corporation, and with various commercial photographers.