Department of Art : Photography and Digital Imaging

Why Should You Study Photography At CWU?

The Photography program at the Central Washington University provides an environment that fosters creative exploration and critical inquiry in the production of contemporary photographic art. A state-of-the-art facility of analog and digital imaging, a diverse and sequenced curriculum, and a supportive and challenging faculty, all aim to aid students in their individual journeys as artists. In both our undergraduate and graduate programs, we encourage spirited interaction with the other programs of the College of Arts and Humanities and the Central Washington University at large.

Program Mission:

Photography is the primary mode of visual communication in the Western World. Images are everywhere and are becoming increasingly ingrained into all aspects of life. Central Washington University's photography program teaches students to critically examine and communicate with images. Students learn about and examine the great variety of photographic uses in our culture including personal, journalistic, scientific, military, medical and ethnographic approaches. Because of its ability to present "reality," photography raises important issues concerning art and representation. In addition to the study of photo history, critical readings are used in all classes. This increases the student's ability to discuss their work and the work of other artists, pushing their conceptual skills to new and higher levels.

By being exposed to both contemporary and historical art topics, students receive a solid foundation upon which their work can evolve. Professional artists are frequently invited as guest lectures to stimulate dialogue about art issues. These visiting artists share their experiences so that they may help prepare the students for the workplace. Furthermore, students learn about the role of art in community and learn to understand different artists' concepts and intentions. It is important to learn outside the classroom and to see art in public contexts such as museums, galleries and commercial realms.

Independent critical thought is encouraged and used as a catalyst for raising questions and opening up possibilities. Students are taught to ask themselves questions and arrive at their own solutions to problems. To enhance these skills, frequent student critiques become an important classroom activity and a perfect opportunity to freely discuss and question class interpretations or projects. Through weekly critique sessions, students become skilled viewers who are able to interpret images and express their ideas about them intelligently and articulately.

An interdisciplinary approach is used in the classroom, demonstrating to students that their work exists beyond simple boundaries. Music, books, television, film, and life experiences can all be applied toward students' work, and provide a social and historical context for the medium which they have chosen. The best work comes from the heart tempered by the mind; students must think about their emotions, their concerns, and the world around them.

Facilities:

During the summer-fall of 2003, the art building underwent a $5,000,000 health and safety upgrade, making it the safest darkroom facility in the Pacific Northwest.

The darkroom facilities include a gang lab with sixteen 4"x5" black and white enlargers, an alternative process room with a fume hood and several ultraviolet light exposure units (up to 48"x60"), a mural printing room (up to 48"x96"), color facilities, a computer lab next to the photography classroom with twenty new dual processor G5 computers, a scanning station with a 44" Epson 9600 printer, Epson 2200 printer, two Imacon film scanners (up to 4"x5"), and a variety of other equipment.

Graduate students have 24 hour access to the facilities, and receive either an office with a T1 connection or a dedicated wet-lab space (in addition to the facilities mentioned above, there is a graduate student lab with a new 4"x5" enlarger and a fume hood). There are teaching assistantships within the photography curriculum so that by their graduation, the graduate will have teaching experience and a portfolio of their students' work to show potential employers.

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