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Photography program

Undergrad minor

Find your creative voice

In today’s world, photography is everywhere. Social media, websites, billboards and magazines on the grocery store racks are filled with images. Photography is a growing part of our global language.

Students in a variety of disciplines choose a photography minor because the creative expression and problem solving they gain to advance their career goals. 

UWL’s Photography Minor takes a hands-on approach to teaching photography in a communal and creative setting.

Careers that benefit from a photography minor

Visual literacy and creative thinking gained in photography classes apply to almost any discipline or career. An understanding of photography also enriches diverse fields such as marketing, anthropology, design, literature, environmental studies and more. Some graduates have pursued their own photography business while others have gone on to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree.

Photography alumni careers

  • Studio photography
  • Portraiture
  • Marketing
  • Visual, digital communication
  • Teaching
  • Photo editing
  • Art direction
  • Photo journalism
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Why study photography?

Plenty of DIY online tutorials could teach you how to take a photo, but good photography goes beyond esthetics. It communicates meaning. In UWL’s Photography Minor, students are challenged to take creative risks and find their artistic voice. Just as people learn to write or speak, you can learn visual literacy through the study of photography.

What distinguishes UWL's Photography Minor?

Learn to focus

Students learn deep focus and concentration in the study of photography. They work extensively on reworking, editing, and sequencing their photos into a developed and meaningful project. 

Visual analysis

Students learn to objectively identify critical visual elements of photography. They also learn to critically analyze photographs in relation to the fields of art history and photography.

State-of-the-art facilities

Students have access to a photography lighting studio, digital photography studio and wet dark room that mirrors what students will encounter in the professional setting. The communal studio space includes access to large scale printing and professional scanning.

Small class sizes and a collective experience

UWL’s photography minor is a collective, communal experience where students are encouraged to interact and learn from one another. Students learn how to receive feedback and critique others. Class sizes are capped at 15 students.

Skills and techniques

Students will learn camera operation; digital printing; digital image manipulation; studio lighting; early historical photo processes; black and white film processing and dark room printing; print finishing and mounting; curating and exhibiting photographs; visual analysis, group critique and communicating visually. 

Student-driven

Student’s ideas drive the techniques they use. Students gain full comprehension of materials so that they can make informed choices as to what they want to use. Idea, technique and materials work together.

Printing Photography...

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