25 Jan 2019

 The MFA in Photography program, students explore digital Photography through practice-based and process-oriented research. At the intersection of visual phenomena, social documentary, new media, critical studies, and creative production, the program offers a unique blend of studio practice, and theoretical and art historical training. The Program promotes both individual innovation and creative collaboration, allowing students to concentrate in one area, experiment in others, and complement their studio work with other academic studies. 

The cutting edge curriculum emphasizes practiced-based learning and focuses on new types of visual storytelling and image-making: still image, moving image, and multimedia, with a curriculum that emphasizes new media and transdisciplinary skill sets, and understands photography as a hybrid and emerging art form. The program explores digital-image-making as a force and it is designed as a practiced-based and process-oriented program. 

Artistic photography moves beyond mere representation to convey an image in accordance with the artist’s vision. Photographs can manifest emotions, dispute societal narratives or provide alternative views of reality. Now more than ever, we need practicing and emerging artist-researchers to produce bodies of work that value the importance of critical inquiry and rely heavily on intellectual exchange. The MFA in Photography concentration, enables you to expand your skills in fine art photography and develop your voice as an artist. 

The program explore the historical, cultural, and contemporary nuances of photography and its relationships and integration to traditional media, culture, and critical studies. Through rigorous study, enhance your understanding of photographic art traditions while developing the necessary tools and expertise to continuously flex, refine, and evolve within your personal artistic vision.

State-of-the-Art Facilities: 

Indian Institute of Photography boasts the best equipment and facilities offered by any Photography school. This includes state-of-the-art cameras, lighting and other studio equipment, digital darkrooms/ digital imaging a variety of equipment accessories, and specialized working studios. The wide range of equipment and resources available to the student of Photography at Indian Institute of Photography reflects the breadth of the curriculum that includes traditional photography and digital photography technology.

Professional Faculty: 

 The School of Photography links students with mentors who are the photographers and academics in their field. We offer a prestigious faculty, legendary guest faculty.

Industry Relationships: 

Every semester, students benefit from lectures and artist presentations from top photographers from India and South Asia, and the school helps students find internships with the top photographers in the field. In addition, many classes feature visits to leading photography studios.

Studio Practice

The foundation of the program, studio practice is a seminar in which students integrate what they are experiencing and learning into their own creative work. Through ongoing studio assignments, group critiques, and one-on-one meetings with faculty, students develop their photographic work and define a personal approach to their practice. A final exhibition of original work, presented at the end of the second year, is required for graduation.

Critical Study

In these topical seminars, students focus on theoretical and critical issues in the history of photography. Working with historians, photographers, and Indian Institute of Photography curatorial staff, students engage in research, writing, and curatorial activities. Students' own writing charts the development of their ideas about photography in relation to the work of other photographers. A written thesis, which serves as an anthology of two years of critical coursework and professional practice, is required for graduation.

Professional Practice

Internships are an integral part of the program, enabling students to gain practical exposure to various aspects of the field. First-year students are required to intern for individual photographers/artists. Second year students are required to intern with photographic and media- based organizations, such as museums, photo agencies, and magazines. All students are expected to report on their internship in classroom discussions and to record these experiences as part of their final written thesis.