Photography in Concordia :: PYKtures Spotlights

University has always been quite the “buzz word” that brings people to believe in the promise of higher education especially mixed with the word "photography" which is today's most popular practice. Then again, what exactly is higher education? The application period for college programs has started and there have been many of my friends wondering what is the Photography program in Concordia. Some of which are excited to build their portfolio and get in. But what are you really getting yourself into?

I know that I’ve only been there one semester but ever since the beginning of my 2nd semester, things have become a bit clearer on what the program really is about. So I will attempt to write about it in order to inform you guys.


Art School, not technical school



Being part of a BFA (Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts), it is truly a program of FINE ARTS. So, it is purely artistic program. To be honest, the technical classes (like one class that last 2 hours in the whole semester) only show an overview of what they expect you to know already. In other words, it’s best that you know the technique of photography before getting in. As in technique, I speak about spot on composition, shutter speed, aperture, metering, post-processing etc… I feel that most of the classes I’m having teach me on how to think more on how to shoot. This is CLEARLY NOT a technical program. This is NOT a place where you learn how to use your camera. If you feel you lack the technique, take a few classes at Lozeau/Photo service or go for Dawson College or Collège Vieux-Montreal as they have a commercial photography program that teaches you every technical single trick in the book in order to produce working pictures.


Film



You will shoot film, a lot of negative film rolls and use up tons and tons of photo paper sheets. You will have to pay for your film and photo paper as well. You will need a film camera to shoot film. They don’t cost a lot and if you are using fullframe lenses on your dSLR, just getting the cheapest functional film SLR compatible to your lenses will do. Image quality in film comes from the quality of the film roll you are using and the sharpness of the lens. You can also borrow Medium Format cameras from the shop but they are usually borrowed a lot. But, don’t be afraid of film. If you master digital photography, the transition to film goes on quite smoothly. It’s best to wait for darkroom access to shoot film. Else, you are just wasting your money. The darkroom unleashes so much power out of film that you’d think that your dSLR takes pictures with ugly image quality in daylight.


Portfolio



All the instructions are HERE.

To get in you have to give in 20 pictures and a letter of intent. Now don’t just go on choosing the 20 best pictures of your life, it doesn’t work that way. I often hear about portfolio being refused due to their “too commercial” nature. I then asked my teacher about what they expect to see in a portfolio submission: VISION. They want to know that you can carry an idea over a number of pictures in progression, not know that you have the technical qualifications to practice photography. They want SERIES of pictures. For my portfolio, I submitted a series of 20 shots. But, you can go by 5 shots or 10, you choose.


Will not turn you into a pro



I think to this point you are wondering if this program will ensure that you will be able to sustain your life after it ends. The answer is NO. Then again, I knew that from the start and got pleasantly surprised at the content of the classes. They push your creativity so much that if you really let the program change you, you’ll have a chance to have your work requested.


I hope you are more informed about what the program is really about and will make you decision more carefully. :)

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