Fleming College

HSAD Photo Arts students graduate with a strong portfolio demonstrating breadth and quality in technical skills and creative imaging abilities. During this 15-week accelerated certificate program, students explore a number of themes as they develop their individual photographic style.

Students will begin by learning the principles of photography by creating black and white images with historical techniques and technologies such as homemade pinhole cameras, low-tech toy and instant cameras, 35mm film cameras, as well as printing images in a darkroom using historical and traditional printing techniques. Evolving from traditional photography processes, students will then move into using and understanding digital SLR cameras and colour processes, including large scale printing and alternative applications such as screen printing.

Our faculty are all professional photographers whose work represents the broad range of possibilities for a career in photography. Students benefit from exposure to a variety of photographic expressions within the genre, and the individual creative approach and style each faculty member brings to the studio.

In addition to acquiring proficiency in digital and traditional photography platforms, students learn practical skills such as how to organize their workflow in the Professional Practice and Business course. This combination of skills prepares students to start their own studio practice as an independent photographer, or to continue their education with advanced studies.

The photography facilities at HSAD provide students unique opportunities to experiment and develop their individual style. Students have access to a wet darkroom with 4x5 enlargers, Lomo cameras, lighting equipment in the photo studio, and scanners, and a large format photo printer. The Centre for Making houses an inkjet printer, 3D printers, and laser and vinyl cutters for further creative exploration.

Our school is a leader in providing unique and flexible art and design education. Learn from professionals who have shaped art, craft and design in Canada at a campus that provides the best possible hands-on studio experience. Create in a spectacular natural environment, supported by dedicated faculty and a welcoming community of resident artists and designers. Graduate with a solid portfolio to take you to the next step in your art career – whether that is continuing education, starting your own practice or entering the workforce.

Graduates establish their own photo studio businesses and work as freelance photographers and studio assistants. Many continue their education with advanced and specialized post-secondary studies.

One of the best things about coming to this school is the learning environment and the pace at which you learn. Each week is a complete course and you are able to focus on what’s important; you learn from new faculty almost every week, and a lot of great work gets done with this kind of structure – there’s no time to get bored!

Lauren Ogilvie, Photo Arts graduate.

This 15-week certificate can be applied to both the Visual and Creative Arts Diploma.

The program tuition includes the cost for curriculum-related materials and all photography chemistry. Each student is issued a kit that includes all associated consumables: film, darkroom printing paper, film archiving sleeves, and a limited amount of digital printing.

A list of items that students are required to bring from home include their own laptop, and digital SLR and analogue SLR 35mm cameras. A tripod is recommended.

Note: A limited number of analogue SLR 35mm cameras will be available for loan first come, first served.

Students who graduate from an art certificate program can earn their Visual and Creative Arts diploma (VCAD) or their Integrated Design diploma with just two more semesters of study.

Visual and Creative Arts diploma graduates have the opportunity to pursue more advanced studies through our many articulation agreements with leading art education institutions across Canada and in the United States.