Create Compelling Images that Communicate Ideas
As a Photography and Media Arts major at St. Edward’s, you’ll go beyond creating photographs to understanding the messages they encode in our highly visual culture.
This concept-driven degree program produces image makers who are passionate about generating sophisticated visual communication. Learn traditional analog, film-based photography and darkroom printing as you build on the basics with digital imaging. You’ll become well-versed in both black-and-white and color still photography as well as video/film narratives.
You’ll learn to work in a professional studio setting and take elective courses focused on documentary photography, creative exploration and alternative processes. And you’ll gain a full understanding of the big picture: how the technology and uses of photography have changed over time, and how you can help shape photography’s future.
Why earn your Photography and Media Arts degree at St. Edward’s?
Whether you choose to pursue your talent for visual storytelling through commercial, fine art or documentary photography or video — one thing is certain: The advantages of your St. Edward’s education will prepare you to succeed. You’ll find opportunities in and outside the classroom to learn, give back and achieve your goals. And your mentors will support you every step of the way.
Build relationships with your professors
Learn in small classes taught by award-winning professors who make a point of getting to know you. They’ll help you identify and focus on your goals, define and cultivate your visual style, and provide guidance and insight during your college years and after you graduate.
Become a sophisticated visual thinker
Collaborate with talented and committed faculty members and peers who share your enthusiasm for building ideas with visual tools. Grow in your ability to develop and communicate ideas through imagery and to respond to changes in techniques, technology and society.
Boost your résumé with real-world experience
Master your craft and sharpen your portfolio with hands-on experience. Take on a required semester-long internship with a commercial photographer, media organization, marketing firm, film production company, museum, video gaming studio or other professional setting.
Graduate ready to hit the ground running
Get support planning for your next steps after graduation. In a Professional Practices course, you’ll explore career options available in the field and develop and fine-tune a portfolio of your work that’s reviewed in class. You’ll also learn career management skills and strategies for success as a creative professional.
Reap the Rewards of Austin
Austin is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. and a hub of media arts, film production, video game development and entertainment. Our Austin location, partnerships and connections allow you to immerse yourself in dynamic opportunities for pursuing internships and careers in the visual arts.
What do our graduates do?
Photography and Media Arts majors go on to a variety of careers from St. Edward’s. Here’s a sample:
- Fashion designer and Project Runway judge
- Owner and founder of New York City–based retouching studio
- Associate producer at VICE Media
- Publicity director of Brooklyn-based powerHouse Books, which specializes in fine art, documentary, pop culture, fashion and celebrity books
- Art gallery manager at Texas Christian University
- Fulbright Scholars
- Masters of Fine Arts graduates
- Freelance wildlife photography
Explore Details about the BA in Photography and Media Arts
Degree Plan
Major Requirements:
The BA in Photography and Media Arts requires 51 hours of major courses, which include a combination of visual studies and photography coursework.
Electives:
Students complete 6 hours of elective courses in photography, focusing on a range of different topics. Past topics include: Installation Strategies, Documentary Photography, Digital Darkroom, Alternative Processes and Photographic Book Design.
General Education Requirements:
The degree requires 42–57 hours of general education courses that students complete over four years in addition to their major courses and electives. There is ample opportunity to minor in other areas in addition to the major and general education courses.
View and download the full degree plan for the Photography and Media Arts (PDF) major.
A few examples of courses students in this major take:
- Intermediate Digital Imaging: Students build visual solutions while learning and working with techniques such as panoramic imagery, large-scale composite image prints, image post-production and handmade books.
- Large Camera – This course in black-and-white photography focuses on the use of the view camera, view camera optics, metering techniques and basic Zone System techniques.
- Studio and Location Projects – This course introduces students to the professional use of the studio, studio lighting and studio production techniques.
- Video – This course is an introduction to the theory and technical aspects of video production with an emphasis on the aesthetic and communicative potential of the medium.
For more details and course descriptions, view and download the Undergraduate Course Bulletin (PDF).
Skills You Will Gain
Upon completing the Photography and Media Arts program, you’ll be ready to …
- Cultivate your ability to think and create while mastering contemporary digital imaging technologies.
- Shoot and process black and white film.
- Gain experience in the creation of video/film narratives.
- Create silver gelatine prints.
- Break new ground with contemporary digital technologies.
- Think outside of the box through electives like Documentary Photography, Photographic Book Design and other approaches to the media arts.
- Photograph and perform professional quality, post-production techniques and DAM (digital asset management) of your work.
Experiential Learning
Every Photography and Media Arts student completes a semester-long internship class. Students have worked with professional commercial photographers, media production houses, a national network affiliate TV station, the Austin History Center, and a documentary film producer. They have also interned with well-known exhibition venues including those specializing in work by women artists and Latino/indigenous artists of color. Internships are conducted both locally and outside of Austin.
Advanced Facilities
Students majoring in Photography and Media Arts study leading digital imaging practices and learn traditional darkroom and (analog) film-based camera skills. Many photography programs across the U.S. have scaled back or eliminated their wet process facilities. St. Edward’s maintains a fully-equipped photo lab that allows students to print 35mm to 4x5 inch film. Students also gain experience in the creation of video/film narratives.
Photo Lab
In addition to the digital capture/scanning and large format printing facilities you should expect at any top-line university program, we provide darkroom facilities for film processing, printing and alternative processes. Large-format cameras and lenses; studio and location strobe equipment; portable flashes, tripods, and light meters; and other equipment are available for students to check out at no charge.
Studio and location skills are also taught in our professional studio facility. Digital work is completed in the Visu Printing Lab equipped with scanners and large format printers dedicated to the Visual Studies Department.
Art Gallery
The Department of Visual Studies Fine Arts Gallery is a teaching space featuring rotating exhibitions from outside the university and exhibits by current students. Painting, printmaking, installation, video, sculpture, ceramics, design and photography are on view, depending on the season’s schedule.
Courses can support any other academic program, and students majoring in other fields are welcome to minor in Photography and Media Arts. In addition, several courses may be taken as electives by non-majors.
Required Courses:
- Visual Studies I
- Analog Photography I
- Styles & Themes (topic varies by semester)
- Intermediate Digital Imaging
- History of Photography
Elective Courses:
In addition, students select three elective courses in the major. Courses students can choose from include:
- Styles and Themes (repeatable when topics vary)
- Studio and Location Projects
- Topics in Photography and Media Arts
Along with personal attention and mentorship from their professors, our students have access to offices and programs outside of the classroom that support their success. We encourage students to take advantage of these resources that help them thrive and excel: Learn more about our student support services.
Sybil Miller, MA, Professor of Photography and Media Arts
Sybil Miller brings to her photographic work and teaching a broad background in research-driven creative work and a love of interdisciplinary practice. She is also committed to animal welfare issues, especially those affecting thoroughbred ex-racehorses, of which she owns two. A long-standing interest in the photographic social document and ephemeral remnants of American culture underlies Miller’s work. From 1995–2004, she completed a series of photographs taken in state capitols titled: “Statesmen – Pictures from the Fifty State Capitols,” where she photographed and re-interpreted the portraits of former governors from each of the fifty states, creating a personal Hall of Governors, a collection of salesmen, matinee idols and fools, as well as respected ordinary men. Her more recent works include the audio/video installation “Lay Down Your Bandoliers,” and two in-progress short documentary film projects.
Joseph Vitone, MFA, Professor of Photography and Media Arts
Joe Vitone is a documentary fine art photographer and educator. Vitone teaches traditional as well as digital photography and electronic media. In 2001 he was a senior Fulbright scholar in Costa Rica. He has lectured on his photography in China, France, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Involved in international education, he has led American students on study programs in China, France, Japan, and Thailand. His work has been widely exhibited and is held in numerous collections including the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Center for Creative Photography, the Museum of Fine Art, Houston, and the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History.