DESCRIPTION
Over a period of 12 weeks, this Level 2 course online will advance the skills developed in the Level 1 course. During the course, you’ll explore themes relating to ethics and good business practice, as well as how to research and shoot a long-term photography essay.
This edition will be taught by Maciek Nabrdalik.
Level 2 is much more writing intensive; expect to improve your writing skills for pitches, statements, and captions.
Weekly photo assignments will help you to create a story using the building blocks of good visual journalism. All the concepts you learned in Level 1 will be extended and explored more in-depth.
You will use the skills and knowledge gained in the introductory module to develop the ability to work on longer-term stories that might take weeks or months to complete. Aided by your course leader, you will research, plan, and execute a longer-term photo essay, with an accompanying 800 to 1,000 words text, on a subject of your choice.
SEQUENCE
The format of this Level 2 Course will follow a similar approach as Level 1. Each week will begin with a lecture on a relevant concept in photojournalism and documentary practice. After this lecture, the tutor will brief you on your weekly assignment using case studies and examples. The assignments will represent key subjects and approaches in narrative photojournalism and documentary photography.
During the week, you will be expected to research and shoot the assignments to present to your tutors and classmates.
Group tutorials with the course team will support you in developing your story idea, conducting research, undertaking the actual shooting, and editing and preparing the story for the final presentation at the end of the course.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Respond professionally and creatively to story briefs
- Understand the visual potential of ideas/situations you are researching
- Develop proposals for picture stories and then research and undertake them
- Shoot photojournalistic and documentary picture stories or series
- Edit your work for extended photo essays
- Write effective project statements and captions
- Professionally present yourself and your work to an editor or client
TIMELINE
Chosen participants will be emailed to register about two weeks before the class begins. Applicants who are not selected to attend will be notified once the class is full, which may be only a week before the class begins.
The start date shown for this course is during the week when the class will be held. The day and time of the class will be confirmed closer to the start date.
Course leaders will hold the class at times according to their schedule and will accommodate participants’ schedules when possible. If you have a set work schedule, please let us know as early as possible.
APPLY NOW
Only applicants who have completed Level 1 and can read and write well in English (B1 level or better) should apply for this course.
The application asks for much of the same information as the Level 1 application; this repetition is necessary as a selection committee unfamiliar with you and your work may be reviewing the information.
If you are NOT selected this time, you may apply to another Level 2 course. Additionally, if you do not feel you have mastered the concepts of Level 1 – whether this means that you are unsure if your photographs are strong enough or that you aren’t confident in practical skills like adding IPTC information or shooting to specific briefs – you are welcome to apply to another Level 1 course for your region when available.
Eligible applicants who wish to be considered for acceptance to this tuition-free program should complete the application form linked above.
Application deadline: January 5, 2025, at 23:59 EST.
