Module Information
Module Identifier
AR24420
Module Title
Photographic Practice IV: Documentary Storytelling
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Pre-Requisite
Reading List
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Photobook A collection of studio work in the form of a documentary photobook that combines text and images in order to preserve or tell a story. | 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Photobook A collection of studio work in the form of a documentary photobook that combines text and images in order to preserve or tell a story. | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Produce and design a short documentary photobook that combines text and images in order to preserve or tell a story.
Learn methods for integrating text and image as well as techniques for digital book layout and design.
Learn advanced digital editing and digital printing techniques.
Identify and analyse common characteristics and themes of documentary practice.
Evaluate the ways in which documentary photography can be utilized as a tool for preservation, storytelling, and social change.
Articulate & share their intentions for creative projects in group discussions and written assignments.
Contextualize their work within contemporary or historical traditions of documentary photography.
Analyse and provide critical feedback on visual works by your peers.
Brief description
Documentary photography is often defined as, "the creative treatment of actuality." This early characterization, coined by John Grierson, indicates the genres’ reliance on observation from life, yet also acknowledges the agency and subjectivity the artist brings to the work. Documentary photography is neither purely reportage or creative expression, but a mixture of the two that has been influenced by both photojournalism and conceptual art. In this module we will approach documentary from this perspective, and explore the ways in which documentary photography has been utilized over time as a tool for preservation, storytelling, and social change.
Over the course of the semester students will learn advanced digital editing and digital printing techniques, methods for integrating text and image, and techniques for digital book layout and design. Each student will then combine these skills to produce a short documentary photobook that preserves or tells a story from their perspective.
Over the course of the semester students will learn advanced digital editing and digital printing techniques, methods for integrating text and image, and techniques for digital book layout and design. Each student will then combine these skills to produce a short documentary photobook that preserves or tells a story from their perspective.
Content
Taking a 'flipped learning' approach, students will read essential texts and watch pre-recorded lectures or interviews with artists as guided independent study. Classroom time will be divided between seminars and studio practicals.
Seminars will be centred on student-led Q&A and discussion of the readings and video content, exploring four themes that are prevalent in documentary practice: Person-to-Person, Investigation, Elegy, & Lyric Documents.
Two fieldtrips will be used to study original examples of documentary photography projects in the School of Art Museum and the National Library of Wales where students will learn to identify and analyse a wide range of materials, techniques and approaches.
Studio practicals will focus on hands on instruction and exploration of advanced digital editing and digital printing techniques, as well as techniques for digital book layout and design in preparation for the final book project.
Each student will receive 1:1 and small group tutorials in addition to the classroom time, where they will be given advice, support, and feedback on their work for the module.
Seminars will be centred on student-led Q&A and discussion of the readings and video content, exploring four themes that are prevalent in documentary practice: Person-to-Person, Investigation, Elegy, & Lyric Documents.
Two fieldtrips will be used to study original examples of documentary photography projects in the School of Art Museum and the National Library of Wales where students will learn to identify and analyse a wide range of materials, techniques and approaches.
Studio practicals will focus on hands on instruction and exploration of advanced digital editing and digital printing techniques, as well as techniques for digital book layout and design in preparation for the final book project.
Each student will receive 1:1 and small group tutorials in addition to the classroom time, where they will be given advice, support, and feedback on their work for the module.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Students are gradually introduced to numerical technical information e.g. in chemical processes of photography, lens apertures, depth of field, etc |
| Communication | Discussion of photographs in individual and group situations throughout semester. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Mode of teaching during practicals and tutorials provides feedback during the semester giving students ample opportunity to respond to feedback. |
| Information Technology | Research visual imagery and access email, Blackboard, Photoshop, etc. is explained and students referred to IS Helpdesk if necessary. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Students are encouraged to consider future options during Semester 1, with both a short- and long-term view. |
| Problem solving | Problem solving is inherent and evidential in the production of photographic artworks. |
| Research skills | Students are introduced to our subject area librarian; instructed on keeping visual diary and notebooks that necessitate research skills. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Techniques and methodology introduced as appropriate throughout semester. |
| Team work | Using subject specific equipment in dedicated studio spaces / darkrooms / MacSuite requires teamwork. Small group tutorials and outdoor field work reinforces team/group ethos. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5