Course Description
Since its inception as a democratic medium for the masses, photography has continued to evolve in format and application, shifting technical and intellectual paradigms. New ways of practicing, encountering and disseminating build on established methods to extend the possibilities, opportunities and reach of photography, making it ever more accessible and omni-present.
Fashion photography is a term of reference for a practice of photography that takes fashion as the material for the camera. Fashion is equally complex and expansive in contemporary times, informed and challenged by social, cultural, economic, and other factors that cannot be ignored much like photography, and undergoing similar revisions and reinventions. In this way, there are many real and notional interplays between photography and fashion that begin with ‘image’, and venture much further into the superposition of other parallel, sophisticated and entangled states for consideration as fashion photography. An initial disaggregation from fashion photography of fashion and photography as discreet disciplines that are conceivably all-encompassing, avoids any subsequent reductive effect in fashion photography. It is this ontology that provides the discourse to a post-graduate benchmark and distinctive ethos for the MA Fashion Photography.
What to Expect
- A teaching and learning environment with diversity and inclusion of changes in technology, culture and industry practice while also building on established technologies and transcendent values, such as creativity, independent research and enquiry, critical and informed judgement, communication skills and collaboration. This approach underpins an expanded fashion photography discourse in practice, theory and research.
- A curriculum for exploring, situating and integrating theory and practice in a cumulative progression of projects, intended to realise a range of graduate aspirations, opportunities and destinations. The course is designed to develop and position photographic practice within new or established creative and commercial protocols, employment opportunities, and further study aspirations.
- The stimulation to take a novel approach, disruptive even, to develop an authentic analysis, philosophy and vision of fashion + photography that is informed by personal and professional agendas and knowledge to become outward facing to make a viable and sustainable contributions to the discipline and related areas in creative, industrial, environmental, cultural, social, political and academic contexts.
- A range of directed and self-directed historical, cultural, educational, professional and global references and processes to develop fashion photographies that oscillate between notions of truth and fiction; sameness and difference; public and private; still and moving; the mirror and window; the epic and the everyday, for example - much like the image, spectacle and performance of fashion itself as body, representation and identity.
Entry Requirements
- A relevant degree and prior experience in the critical and creative practice of fashion photography, photo-media or fine art photography.
- An ability and willingness to collaborate, to generate new ideas, and to engage in cultural and social theory in the research and development of an expanded fashion photography practice, as demonstrated in a portfolio of recent work and the articulated motivation to undertake postgraduate study.
We will also consider applicants who are practicing photographers, artists or designers from different contexts with a demonstrated orientation towards fashion photography. We are also interested in applicants from an artistic or scientific background, who can evidence a connection into an expanded fashion photography practice in the creative and academic industries, as appropriate.
APEL (Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning)
Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:
- Related academic or work experience (minimum of three years)
- The quality of the personal statement
- A strong academic or other professional reference
- OR a combination of these factors
Each application will be considered on its own merit, but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.
Fees
For fees and funding information, please see website
Student Destinations
All our postgraduate courses offer career development, so that you become a creative thinker, making effective contributions to your relevant sector of the fashion industry.
LCF offers students the opportunity to develop Personal and Professional Development (PPD) skills while studying through:
- Access to to speaker programmes and events featuring alumni and industry.
- Access to careers activities, such as CV clinics and one-to-one advice sessions.
- Access to a graduate careers service
- Access to a live jobsboard for all years.
- Advice on setting up your own brand or company
Module Details
Block 1: EXPLORE – supports the transition to postgraduate level study and new thinking of fashion photography (as anti-thesis) through the following units:
- In/Different Spaces (20 credits)
This unit is purposefully challenge-led and disruptive of preconceived ideas and habits, as a basis to offer you a different space in which to consider, engage with and expand your discourse of fashion photography. In/Different Spaces seeks to benchmark a new intellectual and pragmatic space for the group, distinct from your past in real and notional ways. This new learning environment welcomes and considers all possibilities. You should find your own response in this context, challenging preconceived ideas of place, environment, work ethic and creativity.
- Interplays: Fashion and Photography (40 credits)
Interplays: Fashion and Photography offers a conceptual and practical experience to explore and develop critical, meaningful and diverse relationships between fashion and photography; fostering a newly invigorated and authentic relationship with your work, informed by historical and cultural interplays. Practical classes, historical and theoretical lectures and debate, and project development will generate interplays between photography and fashion; encouraging experimentation in thinking and making, and the development of ideas and methodologies for your own personal and professional aspirations.
On successful completion of these units, you are eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Certificate. (60 credits)
Block 2: SITUATE – fosters the shift from orientation and exploration of the discipline to a position of iterative affirmation of your own interests (as in thesis or premise) and specific direction through the following units:
- New Iterations in Fashion Photography (40 credits)
This unit is intended to foster an independent and self-directed engagement with theory and practice. During the unit you will extend your personal and professional photographic aspiration and intention, exploring the discourse and practice of fashion photography in relation to audience and market, and potential commercial, environmental, cultural and societal contribution and benefit. This unit should be formative in the development of your Master’s Project, encouraging a unique and sustainable approach to project development and strategy.
- Elective Unit (20 credits)
In Block 2, students will have an opportunity to take an elective unit. Individual unit descriptors can be found in the Electives Handbook.
On successful completion of these units, you are eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma. (120 credits)
Block 3: INTEGRATE – The culmination of theory and practice acquired throughout Block 1 and 2 (as in synthesis), brought together through the Master’s Project.
- Master’s Project (60 credits)
The Master’s Project is the final stage of your Master’s course and is the culmination of your studies and provides you with a space to synthesise all the knowledge and skills you have gained on the course so far. Your project will be self-directed, and you will negotiate the shape and direction of your project at the outset with your supervisor. This important final phase of your studies is where you will effectively communicate your work along with your ability to critically interrogate your practice with robust approaches to research and theoretical analysis. Upon completion of your project, you will have generated a high-quality piece of work that will showcase your practice, academic literacy and the professional standards that will act as a platform for your future career and professional development.
On successful completion of the Master’s Project unit, you are eligible for the award of Master’s of Art. (180 credits) The final award grading is based upon the results of the Master’s Project only.
MA Fashion Photography is offered in full-time mode and runs for 45 weeks over 12 months. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours, tutorial support and independent study.
Credit Framework
The University of the Arts London Credit Framework equates 20 credits to 200 hours of learning time.
Learn more about University of the Arts London
Start your creative future at University of the Arts London
About University of the Arts London (UAL)
University of the Arts London (UAL) is hos...
Study Details: MA 1 year full-time
