Photography

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At OCAD, Photography is approached as a fine-art medium within the context of contemporary art practices. Since its invention, photography has radically influenced the way people understand and experience the world. The curriculum for the OCAD photography program is designed to provide students with an understanding of photographic processes, history, theory and contemporary art issues. Through an intensive investigation of photographic tools and concepts students will be prepared to participate in the on-going development of photography as an artistic practice.

At the 200 level, students are introduced to photographic concepts and processes, photographic history as well as studio-seminars on contemporary issues. Processes investigated include: black and white, colour, non-silver, experimental and digital photography.

At the 300 level, students progress from development to production as they work through a guided research process that results in a photographic body of work. Studio-seminars on current practices and thematically focused studio electives provide an opportunity to explore a variety of approaches.

At the 400 level, students work with a thesis panel to research, produce and present a coherent body of work that is of professional exhibition quality. The artistic development process offers the students an opportunity to work comprehensively on their ideas and photographic skills that enables them to contextualize their artwork within historical and contemporary issues.

Students are encouraged to select electives in Fabrication Studios, Sculpture/Installation, Integrated Media, Criticism & Curatorial Practices, Printmaking as well as Drawing & Painting in order to pursue the ideas and skills that complement their use of the photographic medium.

Other opportunities for students include: The Florence program, the Mobility Exchange program and the Banff Residency program.

Photography Program Guide

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree students must complete the requirements listed below for their program, including the minimum 5.0 liberal studies credits. 

Associate of the Ontario College of Art & Design (AOCAD) diploma students must complete the requirements listed below for their program, including the minimum 4.0 liberal studies credits. Diploma students admitted to the College 2002 fall/winter or earlier, may replace up to 1.5 of the 4.0 required liberal studies with studio-seminars. 


See the Liberal Studies requirements that pertain to you.

*See the Liberal Studies requirements for Degree and Diploma Stream.

**1.0 credit of the 2.5 upper-level Liberal Studies credit requirements may be fulfilled by Studio-Seminars (diploma only).

***If you have successfully completed PHOT 2B17, Introductory Photgraphy: Current Practices prior to September 2005, you are not required to take PHOT 3B17, Current Practice, but should take a 0.5 elective instead. 


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