Study Guide

Learning outcomes

The student can
- describe the ontological properties of a photograph and the stages and factors of documentary photography from different eras
- search for written and pictorial sources to support their work
- to analytically and critically choose suitable documentary photography methods for their own work
- evaluate own work and that of others and discuss related principles
- work long-term and move forward with your work step by step
- solve ethical issues that arise at work
- to make a controlled body of work for the exhibition in terms of its expression and technical solutions
- work multidisciplinary, taking into account the needs of the partners

Implementation and methods of teaching

Students' own artistic work, lectures, discussions, reflections, visits, one-to-one mentoring

Timing and attendance

80% presence. 



Students must complete make-up assignments for absences. The teacher does not provide replacement assignments for absences - the students are accountable for making up missed absences independently. They must inform the teacher of any absences and propose a plan for covering missed content. For frequent absences, the completion of the course must be renegotiated with the teacher.

Learning environment

Campus, visits, Zoom

Contents

The course focuses on practical work: during the course, students will develop a long-term photographic project, which will culminate in an exhibition. The thematic starting points for the projects are determined by the students' own interests. The course emphasizes a process-oriented, active, and methodical approach, preparing students for independent, long-term photographic work. In addition, the course encourages students to reflect on how their chosen techniques and working methods impact the visual expression, content, and interpretation of the work.

Documentary photography serves as the starting point for the course, which is also explored to some extent theoretically. Students are encouraged to develop critical evaluation skills and reflect on the possibilities and limitations of documentation in the context of art.

The course is linked to an external project through the BredaPhoto Festival's International Talent Programme. At the end of the course, students have the opportunity to apply for the festival’s 2026 exhibition program through an open call. The application is open to all course participants and is voluntary. Both the application process and the potential exhibition will take place outside the course in 2026. Participation in the exhibition may earn students credits depending on the scope of the project.

Assessment criteria

The assessment will be based on the completed visual work (50%), participation (25%) and reflective skills (25%), and will be graded on a scale of 1-5. 

The emphasis on visual work is 50 percent.

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

The student has been absent for more than the 80% attendance allowed. Assignments have not been returned.

Assessment criteria: level 1 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student's participation in classes and the returned assignments indicate that the student has mastered the course content. The student has completed a photographic based project, but the final result is scarce and would require further work. The student has completed the given written assignments, but they are scarce in content.

Assessment criteria: level 3 (assessment scale 1–5)

The active participation of the student in the lessons and the assignments they have completed show that they are engaged in their own work and in the content of the lessons. The student has been able to choose methodological solutions appropriate to the subject matter and to complete the work as an exhibition. The student has been able to choose images and texts as a basis for his/her own writing. The texts are complete and reflect the student's own thinking and interpretation.

Assessment criteria: level 5 (assessment scale 1–5)

The active participation of the student in the lessons and the assignments they have completed indicate a particular commitment to their own work and to the content of the lessons. The student has been able to choose methodological solutions appropriate to the subject matter and to complete the work as an exhibition, which is an original and finished work. The student has shown an insightful ability to choose images and texts as a basis for his/her own writing. The texts are publishable entities in which the student's own thinking and interpretation bring out original perspectives on the subject.