Photography with a Social Purpose for 16 to 18 Years Olds Online Short Course

Course description

Taught through a combination of lectures, practical exercises and discussion, the Photography with a Social Purpose for 16 to 18 Year Olds Online Short Course helps students translate their ideas into images while aiming to contribute towards social change. The sessions give students the opportunity to experiment with a range of concepts and materials to create projects which may become part of a portfolio.

During the course, students gain an insight into the different methods of storytelling. The course explores artists who have made and published work using 19th century equipment as well as mobile phones. The course does not discuss cameras or technical equipment unless it is relevant to the story that is being told, and students are not required to have a DSLR camera to participate.

Students on the Photography with a Social Purpose Online Short Course will gain an understanding of the basic principles and practicalities of documentary photography and photojournalism, including the role of ethics in the industry and issues of exploitation and consent. They will also discover how art has influenced the medium by analysing the work of photographers from the 20th century as well as contemporary practitioners, with a focus on artists and activists who use traditions outside the Eurocentric canon.

Throughout the course, students are encouraged to reflect and generate ideas on what it is important to them and how it may be communicated to others. Ideas could come from something they are passionate about such as family, the environment or mental health. Students are encouraged to create work that considers different perspectives, and should be prepared to work at least a couple of hours outside the course, taking images and collating them before the next class ready to share with the group.

Students also have the opportunity to experiment with other materials and forms of expression alongside their photographic work, such as drawing, writing, poetry/spoken word, sound installation and video. Work will be presented to the group each week for feedback and discussion.

Who should attend?

This course is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced students aged 16 to 18 with an interest in storytelling. The course is ideal for students who enjoy art and photography, as well as those who intend to work with a wide variety of organisations including NGOs and charities.

Course outcomes

By the end of the course students should:

• Have learnt how to tell a story with images
• Understand the difference between documentary photography and photojournalism
• Have developed a documentary photographic project
• Have experimented and created a project with more than images
• Understand who they are as a photographer or artist
• Find inspiration from classmates as well as past and present artists

All our Online Short Courses include:

• Live online lessons
• The same course content and learning outcomes as our face to face courses
• Access to VLE with course content
• Forums for support
• Certificate upon completion

Please note that all courses are taught in UK time.