In this course students have the opportunity to deepen and extend their knowledge of technical and creative approaches to analogue and digital photographic practices via set projects and conceptual prompts. Students will apply these skills to critically examine the expanded field of photography in contemporary art, its history and future, and develop their own perspectives. Depending on the class topic, studio projects explore the conceptual and material possibilities of medium and large format photography, photographic installation, fine art printing, the analogue photographic archive, redundant optical technology, hybrid analogue-digital processes, photogrammetry and synthetic imaging. By experimenting with these processes and their creative contexts, students will have the opportunity to reflect on and develop a distinct approach to their creative practice.

Students may complete this course twice for a maximum credit value of 12 units, provided they enrol in a different topic in each instance/semester. Please note that the course content, assessment structure, and reading list will change depending on the topic and the expertise of the lecturer convening the course. Please refer to the class summary for the specific term in which you wish to enrol for a detailed description.

 

Topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Advanced Analogue Photography

This course explores historical and contemporary image-making practices from the perspective of medium format photography and the analogue/film photographic archive. It offers students with experience in 35mm and darkroom photography the opportunity to develop advanced camera skills, and understand how different camera technologies offer different ways of seeing and representing the world. Addressing the persistence of analogue culture in a digital age, the course introduces methodologies for working with archival material and obsolete formats, incorporating hybrid digital-analogue workflows. In response to set briefs, students will experiment with the dynamics of image scale, capture and processing, enabled by medium format photography (eg Mamiya RZ67). While there is a strong focus on acquiring technical skills and practical knowledge, students will use these skills to create artworks which engage with ideas and concerns that are shaping contemporary image making. The course is supported by lectures, group discussions and studio projects encouraging curiosity and experimentation.

• Advanced Digital Photo-Imaging

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. demonstrate competency with a range of advancing technical skills in relation to studio area & contemporary art practice; 
2. independently explore the potential of material/s & methods relevant to the studio area and set projects; 
3. recognise and analyse precedents and influences on artistic practice; and 
4. evaluate chosen studio methodologies on the outcomes of studio projects. 

Research-Led Teaching

The course is grounded in practice based research in contemporary and historical analogue photographic practices.

Field Trips

Field trips outside class time may be organised, and participation will be on a voluntary basis.

Additional Course Costs

Student contribution amounts under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA) and tuition fees support the course described in the Class Summary and include tuition, teaching materials, and student access to the workshops for the stated course hours.

The Material Fee is payable to the School of Art & Design to supply consumables and materials that become your physical property. The Additional Materials Fee is payable for materials you use in

addition to those supplied as part of the course. You can purchase additional material from the Workshop and take advantage of the GST-free status. These materials are also WHS and workshop process compliant. The fee for this course is $130.

Students have the option to obtain After hours Access to workshop and studio spaces outside of class delivery. After hours Access is defined as access to workshop and studio spaces outside of business hours between 6.00pm and 10:00pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 4pm Saturday - Sunday. It is afforded to students by paying an After hours Access Fee each semester.

For further information and to Pay Materials and Access Fees go to: https://soad.cass.anu.edu.au/required-resources-and-incidental-fees  

Examination Material or equipment

Students will present their assignments and work journals outlining their practical and contextual research during assessments. Assessment requirements will be discussed during class and students are welcome to contact the teaching staff with questions regarding the assessment process. Assessments will be both verbal, during in person assessments, and submitted through Canvas.

Required Resources

Art materials required to complete this course include:

• Black and White 120 roll film
• Black and White 4 x 5 film
• Black and White Resin Coated Photographic Paper
• Inkjet Paper

Details will be provided in class or on Canvas of where to purchase materials at ANU or offsite, including advice of what brand to buy.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Seminar: Introduction to Course and WHS processesWorkshop: Introduction to Medium Format Camera operation	Task 1: Shooting Exercise #1
2	Seminar: Contemporary Photographic Practice: Contexts and MethodsWorkshop: Shooting and 120 film development	Task 1: Shooting Exercise #2
3	Seminar: Contemporary Photographic Practice: Hybrid Analogue-Digital Workflows Workshop: Negative Scanning and supervised studio practice
4	Seminar: Contemporary Photographic Practice: Large FormatWorkshop: Large format Photography	Task 1: Shooting Exercise #3
5	Seminar: Contemporary Photographic Practice: Hybrid Practices  Workshop: Digital Printing	Task 1 DUE (Portfolio)
6	Introduction to Major Project	Introduction to Tasks 2
7	Major Project Ideations: Group tutorials to discuss ideas and get feedback
8	Seminar: Contemporary Photographic Practice: Hybrid Practices II  Workshop:  Supervised studio work, Tutorials
9	Seminar: Contemporary Photographic Practice: Scale and Installation  Workshop:  Supervised studio work, Tutorials
10	Work in Progress Review	Formative Feedback, Task 2
11	Workshop:  Supervised studio work, Tutorials
12	Exhibition and Critical review of task 2	Task 2 due (Major Project) Final assessment.

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Workshop Portfolio of Weekly Tasks (30%)	30 %	26/08/2025	1, 2, 3
Major Project: Hybrid Visions (70%)	70 %	21/10/2025	1,2, 3, 4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Participation is assessed as part of this course. The standard of participation to aspire to is generous and insightful, sharing with the class or your group highly relevant examples of artist, ideas, parallel investigations, readings and cultural contexts. Please commit to building the skills to provide your peers with well considered feedback. Be a good listener. Whilst conversations need to be rigorous and opinions are very welcome, each contribution needs to be respectful and thoughtfully delivered. Be each others best resource and make class and group engagement exciting and dynamic! Students are required to participate in cleaning the darkroom after each session.

Assessment Task 1

Workshop Portfolio of Weekly Tasks (30%)

In the first weeks of the course, to help orient yourself with the medium and large format cameras, we will undertake a series of shooting exercises in class. These exercises are designed to enable creative and technical exploration, and will be introduced in class and published each week on Canvas. By the end of week 4, you will have experience of an analogue to digital workflow, and an understanding of the cultural and technical affordances of working with medium and large format photo imaging.

During weeks 1-4, you will complete these shooting exercises, and have the opportunity to process your film, before scanning and printing the results. You will be working in small groups with the cameras, supporting each other to work toward individual outcomes. Your digital prints will be physically presented in class for review and assessment in Week 5.

Rubric

	FAIL	PASS	CREDIT	DISTINCTION	HIGH DISTINCTION
Creative approach to brief LO 1, 2, 3	*Little to no effort to interpret the brief or address its parameters.	*A literal interpretation of the brief, with reflecting an limited creative experimentation.	*A good interpretation of the brief, which may however reproduce conventional approaches to its subject.	*Portfolio reflects significant experimentation, supported by an engaging concept and strong visual imagery.	*Imaginative, ambitious and/or experimental interpretation of brief, reflecting a sophisticated understanding of photographic representation.
Technical Production (focus, depth of field, control, use of light) LO 1, 2	*Not all briefs successfully attempted, no attempt to rectify technical problems in the studio/darkroom.	*Most briefs attempted, however images may be let down by poor focus, lighting, composition and exposure.	*All briefs completed to a good standard, however there may be errors and opportunities for improvement.	*The work reflects a confident use of the camera and the shooting environment, with few technical errors.	*Technically polished and accomplished, the work reflects a attention to detail and mastery of image capture.
Print Finishing and Presentation  LO 1, 2	*Poor quality unfinished prints, with overall poor presentation in their installation.	*Prints are legible but may have a number of technical errors.	*Good prints and finishing, however some may suffer from printing/colour issues.	*The submission reflects good attention to print finishing and presentation, with errors rectified during the production process.	*Care and attention to producing and finishing fine prints, reflecting a professional standard.

Assessment Task 2

Major Project: Hybrid Visions (70%)

In the second half of the course, you will work towards developing a distinctive photographic language through which to articulate your ideas and concerns. You will produce a  cohesive series of fully finished analogue or digital exhibition prints on a theme or concept of your choice, applying practical and theoretical/conceptual skills and knowledge from the course seminars and workshops. Your starting point should be medium or large format photographic negatives, which you print either digitally or in the darkroom.  You need to make amd justify your decisions regarding what camera format to use, what lens, scale, number of prints, and if analogue or digital prints best express the ideas your project investigates. 

 

You are expected to keep a visual diary which outlines your process, research, and work along the way, including failures and dead ends in your work process - this documentation will be submitted alongside your major project.

Please note that this assessment task has both in-person and online submission requirements, and some of the feedback will be verbal. 

The major project should consist of three parts. 

1.     2-10 analogue or digital prints installed in the Curved Wall/Photospace. The prints should be finished, i e cropped to size and given either a series title, or individual titles. Choose how many prins you need to communicate your ideas. Consider how you install the prints – height, order, sequencing. What kinds of borders on the prints? 

2.     Process documentation in the form of a work journal. Do incorporate failures, experiments and dead ends. Include artists work that may have inspired you or provoked you to make the work. Are there other ideas or concepts that have inspired the work? Map the choices you make in the darkroom around the selection of negatives to print and or scan, and the contrast and exposure you have chosen. If your work journal is digital, please submit on Canvas. Otherwise present next to your work in the Curved Wall/Photospace. 

3.     Drawing on your work journal, give a short 5 minute artist talk introducing your project discussing what you would like to express with your work, (themes and concepts ) how you have chosen to do it (shooting techniques and aesthetic choices in the darkroom) and why you decided to focus on this topic (inspiration from other artists work, political/personal reasons etc). 

Please submit digital images of your work, your work journal if digital, and a written version of your presentation.  

Value: 70%

Due Date: 21 oct 25

Presentation Format:  2-10 analogue or digital prints installed in the Curved Wall/Photospace accompanied by a work journal.

Presentation schedule/requirements: Install photographic prints in Photospace from 14 - 14.30. Critique 14.30-18.00

Rubric

	FAIL	PASS	CREDIT	DISTINCTION	HIGH DISTINCTION
Innovative response to the brief LO 1, 2, 3, 4	*A largely incoherent response to the brief, that fails to align with the criteria.	*A limited response to the brief, reflecting little creative engagement with the task.	*An imaginative response to the brief, which may be let down by some incoherence or weak elements.	*A very imaginative response to the brief, reflecting successful risk taking and experimentation.	*A highly accomplished and rigorous response to the brief, reflecting an original visual language in support of concept.
Studio Research and Documentation LO 1, 2, 3, 4	* No engagement with scholarly literature or consideration of existing artists' projects.	*Limited engagement with the critical and creative possibilities of the brief, reflecting a poor grasp of existing creative precedents and underpinning concepts.	*Project reflects some good understanding of contemporary photographic practices, but may be unambitious in its supporting research	*Project is well-researched, reflecting a command of critical approaches to photographic practice, and the context of the brief.	*Project reflects meticulous research, mapping the artistic and theoretical arena of the brief, synthesised through production and documentation.
Technical execution and production values 1, 2, 3, 4	*The project is impeded by significant technical issues that sabotage audience engagement with the project.	*The project reflects a lack of attention to detail, and may have significant technical issues at the point of image capture or print production.	*The project reflects good production values, but may be let down by some technical errors.	*The project is technically accomplished, with high production values and few technical errors.	*The project is technically ambitious, with a commitment to a very high standard of technical execution.
Reflects practical and/or conceptual growth and development from idea to realisation LO 2, 4	* Project demonstrates no growth or development from idea to realisation.	* Project displays some development from idea to realisation, but limited and minimal. * It may not have meaningfully engaged with and applied feedback.	* Project displays solid development from idea to realisation. * Has clearly engaged with and responded to feedback, but could have been in more depth.	* Project displays very good development from idea to realisation. * Has thoroughly engaged with and responded to feedback, in a way that clearly enhances the project's overall success and effectiveness.	* Project displays excellent, focused and strategic development from idea to realisation. * Has thoroughly and independently engaged with and responded to feedback, in a way that signal the project's overall success and effectiveness.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of individual assignments is not permitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students