Press & Editorial Photography BA(Hons)

From photography’s history and theories to essential technical and creative skills, this photojournalism course will teach you what lies behind the everyday practice of photographers and publications. You’ll study practical modules, communication and copyright, and magazine and layout production. 

Modules

Elements of Photographic Narrative

In this module, you’ll develop your narrative photographic technique through a series of assignments designed to build your skills of observation, your ability to find stories and the technical understanding required to create compelling images. 

Professional Practice

This module will equip you with the basis for your growing identity as a professional photographer. You’ll build your own website, create your CV and develop a network of professional contacts. 

Histories, Theories, Practices and Contexts of Editorial Photography and Visual Storytelling

We’ll cover key debates and theories in communication and cultural studies, such as the changing role of photography as a social practice; how photojournalism has evolved within news and magazine industries; the growth of digital storytelling; the changing political and economic structures of journalism, and its role in shaping public opinion. 

Photographic Narrative in Context

You’ll produce relevant, real-world work that aligns with, and is attractive to, pre-existing editorial print spaces and clients. As part of this, you will recognise valid content relevant to specific spaces, by understanding products, audiences and markets within a press and editorial context.   

Critical approaches to reading the image

This module provides an introduction to the varying ways that images convey meaning, and how we read them. Through a series of lectures, discussions, workshops and student-led seminars, you’ll engage with the origins of these theoretical and philosophical conventions in image communication.  

We’ll explore theoretical studies alongside ethics, representation and media law. You’ll develop audio and multimedia skills, and promote your work in print, online and at an exhibition in London. We’ll also help you develop your professional network as you complete a work placement and get the opportunity to study abroad. 

Modules

Audio Visual & Multimedia

This module will demonstrate the power and potential of multimedia storytelling. Through an introduction to the diversity inherent within multimedia practice, and via practical workshops and processes, you will learn how to marry story, content and context to create work that resonates with an audience. 

Media Law, Ethics & Human Rights

Through this module, you’ll develop a working knowledge of the legal and ethical frameworks that impact on story identification, gathering and publishing across digital and print media. 

Audiences

This module introduces you to the theory and practice of engaging and understanding audiences across a range of media and contexts. Working in groups, you will develop the identity of your project, assign the necessary roles to manage the project, and complete the production, editing and curation of content. 

Cultural & Critical Context or News, Editorial and Photojournalism Genre

We’ll consider generic conventions across media and how they shape public knowledge. In doing so, we’ll look at specific journalism, documentary, editorial, photojournalism and visual storytelling genres. A combination of lectures and seminars will encourage you to critically contextualise practices with wider social, cultural, technical and political contexts. 

On top of producing a multi-part developmental portfolio and completing your dissertation, you’ll work toward a final major project in a subject area and medium of your choice. 

Modules

Developmental portfolio

The developmental portfolio is driven by and designed for each individual, being built upon previous portfolio success and married to the unique aspirations of each student. You’ll be supported in this development process through stages of proposal, portfolio and reflection. You will align your ambitions and abilities with the five-part practical construct, ensuring that your unique voice is heard and supported. This module will help you to identify your specific strengths, which will direct future possibilities. 

Dissertation

Your dissertation is the major piece of academic work undertaken in the final year of study, and is an opportunity for you to explore your own interests. While writing, you’ll engage with research and analysis into the historical and professional concepts, practices and theories that have been introduced during the course. Although supported by workshops, seminars and specific supervision, the emphasis of this module is student-led independent learning. 

Final portfolio

Building on previous experience, and especially upon the strengths of your developmental portfolio, you’ll design individual and unique outputs that speak to an identified audience. Evidencing a deep and clear understanding of context and purpose, your creative work will be dictated by you with the support of your tutors. Your final submission will be highly professional, creative and critically engaged.