The Goals and Objectives of the Photography Concentration are to encourage student growth in conceptual thinking, innovative ideas, and experimentation with the medium. The curriculum is structured such that students develop a strong base of technical knowledge and ability, including proficiency in medium and large format camera, studio lighting, and advanced darkroom techniques, while developing a personal body of work.

Students working in the Burns Darkroom enjoy the luxury and convenience of having 24 hour access to the facilities. The Photography Lab at LMU is unique in that it consists of ten custom designed and refurbished individual darkrooms. This set-up offers students greater flexibility and convenience while encouraging creativity and experimentation. Each darkroom has a Beseler 45S enlarger, a Gralab timer and a Nikon El Nikkor enlarging lens. Each room is fully equipped with all necessary film and print processing equipment, stainless steel sinks, and excellent ventilation. All chemistry is provided for students. Three rooms are set up for multiple printing and one room is suited for the creation of large mural size prints. There is also a 32” Colex processor for color printing.

Students enrolled in photography have a wide selection of medium and large format cameras available for use, including 4x5 cameras, Mamiya 7 cameras, Hasselblad cameras, a Seagull TTL camera, Canon Digital EOS 10 cameras and Mamiya RZ67. The photography classroom doubles as a shooting studio with professional equipment that includes a selection of seamless backdrops, flash meters, hot lights, and two sets of high end studio strobes.

Santa Monica and Los Angeles have some of the best photography supply stores and professional labs in the country. Students have the opportunity to work in the lab for paid Work Study and can take advantage of a wide range of internships opportunities throughout the city.

Courses in the Photography area of the Fine Arts major include Photography I, Photography II, Color Photography, History of Photography and Special Topics in Photography. Special topics courses in the future may include Photography and Performance, Documentary Photography, Intensive Lighting Workshop, Historical Processes, Photo Installation, and Southern California landscape workshop. Students have the opportunity to sign up for solo exhibitions for display in the darkroom.

Students studying photography have a wide range of career possibilities and can exhibit work in museums or galleries, publish images in magazines and newspapers, work on film sets, work as photo editors for magazines, work in photo stock agencies, become professional printers, or work in museums, galleries, and in the community.

Contact Diane Meyer at 310-338-7424

You may also email her at meyer_diane@yahoo.com