Diploma of Photo Imaging

This subject aims to introduce students to the foundations of photo imaging and to develop comprehensive technical skills of operating a digital camera and build experience in taking pictures under a range of conditions. A percentage of time is devoted to students receiving feedback on their recently taken images and learning to give constructive criticism to their peers, enabling them to start seeing and thinking like a photographer.

This module is compulsory for all first trimester Photo Imaging students and will serve as a strong foundation to pursue more advanced and specialised photography subjects.

The purpose of this subject is to establish principles and practices for working with and enhancing digital images. This includes understanding the technical properties of images, using various software tools for managing their cataloguing, editing, processing and storage whilst employing efficient workflows. Within the subject, students will research and experiment with manipulation and enhancement strategies in the pursuit of a personal creative style that can be applied to images captured. Students will be assessed based on their editing techniques and the ability to manage digital assets.

In this subject students are introduced to the properties of light and its evaluation, measurement and control in photo capture. Students learn basic techniques of lighting, including how to identify and manipulate the colour, quantity, and quality and direction of light. Insights into the emotive nature of photo lighting will be gained, giving students the skills to creatively modify and apply light in a range of settings.

This subject serves as an introduction to communicating with imagery, from initial concepts and quick sketches through to more sophisticated visual responses, utilising a variety of media. With an emphasis on exploration within historical, practical, and technical parameters, ‘Thinking Visually’ aims to enable the student to effectively articulate ideas through both drawing and photography. Students will develop skills in observation, idea generation, and effective visual communication through a combination of theoretical studies, observational drawing and material experimentation.

This introductory subject places design process and practice within the context of a chronological survey of major historical eras of influence. Students are encouraged to engage with the historical socio-political movements influencing design trends of each era through research and reflection.

Academic skills (research, referencing, essay writing, and sentence structure) and design software skills are taught in weekly lessons. Students use the academic and software skills to document historical research and generate creative responses to the themes of historical eras.

This subject develops the students’ storytelling techniques in the context of editorial and social documentary photography. Students develop skills in the visual narrative as well as pitching techniques - understanding the editorial ‘audience’ as a pre-cursor to producing a documentary narrative for a proposed publication. Students gain an understanding of the needs and expectations of editorial clients as well as effective working strategies for media photographers.

In this subject the students further explore advanced digital image techniques and a suite of graphics programs related to the photo imaging industry. They will also gain extensive knowledge into colour theory and colour management workflows, and manage colour consistency from capture through to output in a digital production environment.

In this subject students explore the different types of portrait photography, looking at various approaches and techniques used in portrait photography. They will further explore advanced artificial lighting and manipulation of natural light. Students also get to plan and carry out a portraiture shoot and study the business side of professional photography including: promotion; marketing; invoicing; and client relations.

This subject introduces the foundational theory and practice of motion graphic design and live action camera production. The unit introduces basic skills in concept development, asset creation, 2D animation and compositing suitable for motion graphic production. The process of developing a live action video piece is also introduced, from pre-production through to postproduction, and including fundamental sound design principles. Students will gain basic skills in camera-based production including basics of lighting, sound recording and editing.

This subject looks at freelance work and how to charge and market yourself effectively. Students also research trends and emerging technologies that could affect or create opportunities within the market place; looking at ways to exploit these opportunities and build entrepreneurial attitudes to assist them.

In this subject students begin to develop their folio for graduation. Utilising both print and web, students explore innovative ideas and options to best plan, develop and present their works to other professionals and clients. Students will have a chance to identify and explore their own personal style and engage in self-evaluation before seeking and applying feedback from industry professionals.