Photography
The photography program at Central Washington University focuses on image production to further visual literacy and communication skills as students develop their own individual artistic vision. A broad range of possibilities within the medium of photography are researched through a hybridized analog and digital curriculum. Students will study traditional black and white photography, 19th Century and alternative photographic processes, studio lighting, and digital practices and printing.
The program seeks to look towards the future of photography as emergent and experimental forms of imaging are also explored, studied, and discussed. Students are challenged conceptually and encouraged to address the broader cultural and socio-political concerns of photography in a global context. This will, in turn, allow students to become critically informed practitioners of the medium. Students who complete their degree will have gained all the tools necessary to confidently enter a variety of fields upon graduating - from academia, the fine arts, and to various industry and media specialties.
Facilities
Central Washington University houses the most comprehensive facilities for photography in the Pacific Northwest. Students are well equipped with a large 20-station gang darkroom, a separate alternative process darkroom, lighting studio, state of the art digital lab, and digital printing lab with multiple 44” Epson printers.
Students can rent equipment five days a week from the Department of Art and Design’s media cage. The media cage has a vast inventory of equipment including top of the line Nikon DSLR cameras, a variety of 35mm and medium format film cameras, and ten 4”x5” large format monorail and field cameras. Additional lighting kits, tripods, tablets, and other accessories are also available for check out.
CWU News
CWU faculty member awarded Fulbright post-doctoral scholarship
February 23, 2026 by David Leder
Three CWU music ensembles to perform in early March
February 18, 2026 by Office of Marketing and Communications