At the sophomore level, students will learn basic photographic skills including camera functions, film exposure, film development and essential black and white darkroom techniques and ideas. In frequent class critiques, students are encouraged to participate in a dialogue that will help them to develop the vocabulary and visualization skills necessary for critical evaluation of photographic work.

At the junior level, students have the opportunity to choose courses that are more specific in both technique and ideas. Courses in Advanced Black and White, Color Photography, Alternative Process and Digital Photography, View Camera, Studio Lighting and Contemporary Issues will provide technical, intellectual and artistic challenges. At this level there are fewer projects, giving students more time to develop accomplished bodies of work.

By the senior year, students should be focused in their photographic pursuits. The structure of individual weekly critiques allows the students to be more independent and to work with each of the faculty individually, preparing themselves for working outside of the school environment. Students work throughout the year to create an in-depth and substantial body of work. Emphasis will be placed on the depth of their ideas, the defendability of their concept and the execution of their final thesis work.