1. Demonstrate foundational knowledge, concepts, and skills within photographic practice. Knowledge & Understanding

2. Apply technical and creative methods to produce a coherent portfolio of work for photographic practice. Application & Problem Solving

3. Reflect on your technical, creative, and professional development to enable your future development. Reflection Personal Development & Entrepreneurship

4. Use digital tools relevant to photographic practice to support creative production. Digital Literacy

Assessment 1: Photographic Portfolio
A coherent body of photographic work responding to the thematic brief.
Typically, 10–15 resolved images presented as:
- A4 prints,
- digital portfolio (PDF / website), or
- screen-based presentation suitable for critique.
Work must demonstrate:
- appropriate use of exposure, focus and composition,
- engagement with the chosen theme,
- evidence of editing and selection.

Assessment 2: Reflection
You will produce a reflective submission, presented in written or verbal form, documenting your technical and creative development across the module.

The submission should include evidence of:
- Technical exercises exploring camera handling, exposure, lenses, and lighting
- Test images, annotated contact sheets, and/or image sequences
- Visual responses to photographic briefs
- Short reflective commentary evaluating creative and technical decisions, workflows, and outcomes
Reflection should demonstrate engagement with digital workflows (including RAW processing, file management, colour management, and output for print and screen), visual language (composition, sequencing, rhythm, and gesture), and introductory analogue or alternative photographic processes where appropriate

Option 1: Written reflection with supporting visuals – word count 1200
Option 2: Audio recording with image folder – 5-6 mins
Option 3: Video reflection with supporting visuals – 5-6 mins

Formative Assessment:
Midway formative feedback will be embedded within practical sessions, providing structured opportunities for feedback on work-in-progress to support student development and progression.

- Camera handling, exposure theory, lens behaviors, and basic lighting.
- Digital workflows: RAW processing, file management, colour spaces, output standards to print and screen. - Introduction to visual language: composition, sequencing, rhythm, gesture.
- Visual responses to photographic briefs.
- Introductory analogue and alternative processes.
- Recording reflection and evaluation of progress through a research document.

How do photographic images communicate ideas? This module focuses on the essential building blocks of photographic practice as you explore how to create images that communicate clearly and purposefully. Through the module, you will establish core competencies in camera operation, exposure, visual composition and digital workflow. You will engage with structured tasks that develop your ability to produce coherent images while beginning to articulate a personal approach to practice. This foundational work prepares you for more self-directed creative and technical development across the degree.

- Lectures
- Specialist workshops
- Seminar discussions
- Tutorials
- Drop-in support sessions
- Group work
- Independent and self-directed learning
- Reflective practice

Barrett, T. (2020) Criticizing photographs: An introduction to understanding images. 6th edn. London: Routledge.

Bate, D. (2023) Photography after postmodernism: Barthes, Stieglitz and the art of memory. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.

Carroll, H. (2023) Read this if you want to take great photographs. 1st illustrated revised edn. London: Laurence King Publishing.

Langford, M. (2024) Langford’s basic photography: The guide for serious photographers. 11th edn. Edited by A. Fox, C. Nolle, P. Renn and R. S. Smith. London: Routledge.

Pavlidis, G. (2022) Foundations of photography: A treatise on the technical aspects of digital photography. 1st edn. Cham: Springer International Publishing.

Where older texts are included, they are retained as foundational texts within the discipline, remaining relevant where no more recent equivalent texts are available.

- Student Life https://www.youtube.com/@uniofstaffsstudentlife/videos
- University Library https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/library
- Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment will support this module where relevant
- Specialist Spaces
- Smart Zone
- CAD Labs
- Print Bureau.