Marine & Natural History Photography BA(Hons)

Why study BA(Hons) Marine and Natural History Photography at University College Falmouth?

BA(Hons) Marine & Natural History Photography course leaflet (1.18 MB)

Whether you'd like to be a wildlife filmmaker, a natural history photographer or a marine conservationist, studying in Falmouth means a variety of stunning natural habitats are right on your doorstep. With its miles of coastline, subtropical gardens, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and access to world-class diving waters, Cornwall offers a unique environment full of opportunities to develop your own personal photographic style.

Using traditional, electronic, still and moving image technologies, you'll evolve an extensive range of specialist skills and techniques, including photomicrography, close-up, and filmmaking, with our Photography Centre providing the ideal working environment. At Falmouth the sky - or indeed the seabed - is the limit.

Tell me more about the BA(Hons) Marine & Natural History Photography course

Falmouth has to be one of the most exciting and perfect places for natural history photography, both in the sea and on land. Here you will be able to study and photograph basking sharks, dolphins and exotic creatures like the sunfish. On land you could wait in a hide for that elusive raptor to appear, explore the subtropical gardens of Cornwall, examine woodland life or reach for a microscope and delve into the world of diatoms.

This is a unique programme of study: a wildlife photography degree course covering both marine and terrestrial life. A course which will extend your skills as a communicator using photographs, words and moving image so that you can develop into an accomplished and confident wildlife photographer or filmmaker. You'll receive expert tuition from staff who are practising photographers and/or scientists, allowing you to progress your analytical, critical, problem-solving and practical skills.

You will study habitats and species, and understand the scientific basis for the planet's diversity of life - all aided by field trips and our contacts with organisations such as the AONB, National Maritime Museum and the Royal Horticultural Society. This course will introduce you to many disciplines, from shooting on location to time lapse, moving image and photomicrography. You'll also engage in key environmental and ecological debates that will be vitally important to whichever profession you choose.

You'll be working in our state-of-the-art Photography Centre, which boasts the latest equipment for marine and natural history photography. There is a specialist laboratory to house microscopes, aquariums and equipment for wildlife specimens, as well as digital and traditional processing facilities including digital printers and dark rooms.

The course is a major sponsor of WildPhotos , the national conference for natural history photographers and filmmakers, while exhibitions of underwater photography at the National Maritime Museum and the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth reflect the course's intention to be at the forefront of natural history image making.

"Falmouth is the perfect place to study marine and natural history photography. Whether in the ocean or on land, the wildlife and habitats are so diverse and accessible that the opportunities for creating images are enormous." Mark Deeble & Victoria Stone, wildlife filmmakers, BBC

Facilities

The Peter Lanyon Building provides specialist facilities for University College Falmouth and the University of Exeter. It includes University College Falmouth’s new £7m state-of-the-art Photography Centre and Digital Animation Studio, together with enhanced media facilities.

• State-of-the-art Photography Centre boasting the latest photographic equipment
• Laboratory to house microscopes, aquariums and equipment for specimens
• High specification printers
• Dark rooms
• Black and white and colour processing areas

More information about these new facilities is available here

WildPhotos conference

BA(Hons) Marine & Natural History Photography is one of the sponsors of Wildphotos, the main conference for natural history/wildlife photographers. The event atracts several hundred delegates from all over the world and our students meet internationally known wildlife photographers and others from the industry.

The event happens over two days at the Royal Geographical Society in London. It brings together the world's finest photographers specialising in wildlife and the environment. The programme is a combination of presentations, discussion and debate. The imagery shown is captured from the top of giant redwoods down to the depths of the oceans and coveres the smallest insects to the largest mammals. Sessions range from story-telling and conservation photography, to the more practical - finding your story and photo techniques.

Delegates include students and keen amateurs as well as widely published and acclaimed professionals, NGOs and industry experts.

Course outline

Level 1

• Photographic Practice
• Principles of Habitat
• Professional Practice
• Principles of Biodiversity

Level 2

• Photographic Practice
• Global Conservation
• Professional Practice

Level 3

• Major Portfolio
• Long Essay & Critical Reflection on Practice

Answers and advice about the course

If you have any queries about the course please visit our HelpMe Forum

HelpMe Forum

Career opportunities

This interaction of art and science is designed to provide you with an informed appreciation of local and global issues, and to help you develop an ethical personalised practice that will enable you to gain employment or progress onto postgraduate study after graduation from this unique photography course. There is a wide range of related career opportunities including:

• Photographer
• Filmmaker
• Television producer
• Picture researcher
• Environmental agency work
• Conservation group work

Course entry requirements

Foundation Diploma; or National Diploma, 14-19 Specialist Diploma, or other appropriate level 3 qualifications/experience.

For further information about BA(Hons) Marine & Natural History Photography at University College Falmouth, please email admissions@falmouth.ac.uk or telephone Admissions on 01326 213855.

Interview dates and selection process

Interviews will commence in late January.

The interview will include a campus tour, while portfolios are assessed, followed by individual interviews.

Applicants with A levels only will be asked to submit a project and will be selected for interview based on this project. Applicants will be asked to bring a portfolio, containing not only photography, but evidence of research and writing skills, together with any other artwork, 3D work or evidence of idea development, eg sketchbooks or workbooks.

Location: Tremough Campus

Related courses

• Photography BA(Hons)
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