Studies
Concept With photography stories are told, products are sold and political conflicts are worked out. Photos preserve memories, awake emotions, are traded on the art market and are reproduced million times as news imagery. Around hundred seventy years after its invention, photography is still the most important media for cultural communication.
During the last years the working conditions for photographers changed fundamentally. The boarders between former professions and genres are becoming increasingly blurred. Documentary photography, long time domiciled by the press, found its way into museums and galleries. Reportages photographers often work parallel for the art market. While the classical series of pictorial features in magazines are shortened, the internet shows new forms of multimedia which more and more develops close to film and media art.
NEUE SCHULE FÜR FOTOGRAFIE [NEW SCHOOL FOR PHOTOGRAPHY] perceives its assignment in imparting faculties to the students, which allows them a successful photographic work within the changed professional spheres no matter in which resorts they will later practise: applied- or art photography, reportage or fashion. Within the three years of education the students learn to implement commissioned and own self developed projects thematically and formally independent and efficient. They receive on one hand technical and craft skills concerning camera, photograph, picture, studio and lab but also necessary knowledge about copyright, contract law, finance and funding (e.g. grants, competition, calls) and business economic. A general emphasis during the seven semesters will be paid on digital technique in fact of its increasing importance in all photographical practice.
Besides the engagement in a solid technical and handy base the school pays great attention to the ability of students to present and reflect their photographic position as well as their social, photographic and art historic contextual positioning. Next to subject and technical education permanent parts of the study program are courses about the basic visual configuration and creation, about theory and history of photography.
The NEUE SCHULE FÜR FOTOGRAFIE offers with Berlin as an upcoming centre for photography an ideal surrounding for emerging photographers. Considering the attraction the city draws internationally, the NEUE SCHULE campaigns specific to international exchange for young photographers and builds networks with photo schools abroad.
Studies Studies take seven semesters within three and a half years. Each year consists of two semesters. Admissions take place twice a year in spring or autumn. A commission of teachers decides about students acceptation based on a portfolio and an interview.
1st year: fundamental studies (Grundklasse, 1st + 2nd semester)
2nd year: advanced studies (Fachklasse, 3rd + 4th semester)
3rd year: graduating class (Abschlussklasse, 5th + 6th semester)
4th year: finishing of the practical assignment (Abschlussklasse, 7th semester)
The studies conclude with a self-contained practical assignment during the end of the 7th semester. For completion also a written theoretical work is required.
The result of the exam will be given by a certificate.
Curricula | Course scheme
Each semester lasts 5 months; the sixth month is free of lesson and charge. Fundamental studies take place on 30 days each semester, advanced and graduated classes take place on 25 days each semester. One day of courses consists of 8 hours of lessons.
FUNDAMENTAL STUDIES (GRUNDKLASSE)
30 days of lessons per semester
1st Semester
Photography- professional course 9 days
Basics of visual creation 10 days
Technique (analogue/digital) 6 days
History and theory of photography 5 days
2nd Semester
Photography – professional course 10 days
Basics of visual creation 10 days
Technique (analogue/digital) 5 days
History and theory of photography 5 days
ADVANCED STUDIES (FACHKLASSE)
25 days of lessons per semester
3rd Semester
Photography- professional course 10 days
Digital technique 10 days
History and theory of photography 5 days
4th Semester
Photography- professional course 10 days
Digital technique 10 days
History and theory of photography 5 days
GRADUATING STUDIES (ABSCHLUSSKLASSE)
25 Days of lessons per semester
5th Semester
Photography- professional course 10 days
Digital technique 5 days
Photographic practice 5 days
History and theory of photography 5 days
6th Semester
Photography- professional course 10 days
Digital technique 5 days
Photographic practice 5 days
History and theory of photography 5 days
Excursions
In addition to the regular classes, teachers are organizing a several day lasting excursion once during the study period; in 2008 and 2010 this went to New York (studio interviews with photographers, visit of ICP and the local Magnum office, developing own photo projects). The ambition of this voluntary travels is to initiate concentrated work on a certain topic and to steady social contacts and connections within the class.
Seminars
The NEUE SCHULE FÜR FOTOGRAFIE offers regularly seminars for external persons and non-students interested in photography besides their three-year-education. Organizer of lectures, seminars and workshops is the “INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY FOR PHOTOGRAPHY” (IAPH) as a non-profit association.
IAPH aims as a patron of photography and administrator of the NEUE SCHULE FÜR FOTOGRAFIE, to offer educational programs to workforce, pensioners and students. Seminars and workshops are limited to a few days and take usually place on weekends.
Technical InfrastructureNEUE SCHULE FÜR FOTOGRAFIE possesses owns labs with multiple work positions and currently twelve computer stations for digital editing and fabrication of prints. Students have the opportunity to use and lend equipment and accessory from the own pool of the school (digital camera, middle-format camera, flash unit). A Library with the basic and most important literature about photography is built up currently.
International exchange / guests students NEUE SCHULE FÜR FOTOGRAFIE encourages the exchange of photographers from different nationalities. NEUE SCHULE mediates opportunities for German students according to abilities abroad and offers a contact point for international students. Since it’s founding the school registers an increasing interest of students from European art-academies and universities, at the moment students from USA, Canada, Israel, Austria, Swiss, Italy, Spain and Algeria are enlisted.
Students from foreign institutions have the possibility to apply for a guest-term or – year at the NEUE SCHULE FÜR FOTOGRAFIE to realize own projects within an advanced or graduating class. NEUE SCHULE FÜR FOTOGRAFIE offers the required expertise and technical infra structure. Applications as guest-student obtain the regular deadlines. Students have to be able to express in German.
Additional BenefitStudents are covered by public liability insurance in the frame of regular schooling including the way between school and home.
Students have the possibility to acquire a press card for the common yearly amount.
During the last years the working conditions for photographers changed fundamentally. The boarders between former professions and genres are becoming increasingly blurred. Documentary photography, long time domiciled by the press, found its way into museums and galleries. Reportages photographers often work parallel for the art market. While the classical series of pictorial features in magazines are shortened, the internet shows new forms of multimedia which more and more develops close to film and media art.
NEUE SCHULE FÜR FOTOGRAFIE [NEW SCHOOL FOR PHOTOGRAPHY] perceives its assignment in imparting faculties to the students, which allows them a successful photographic work within the changed professional spheres no matter in which resorts they will later practise: applied- or art photography, reportage or fashion. Within the three years of education the students learn to implement commissioned and own self developed projects thematically and formally independent and efficient. They receive on one hand technical and craft skills concerning camera, photograph, picture, studio and lab but also necessary knowledge about copyright, contract law, finance and funding (e.g. grants, competition, calls) and business economic. A general emphasis during the seven semesters will be paid on digital technique in fact of its increasing importance in all photographical practice.
Besides the engagement in a solid technical and handy base the school pays great attention to the ability of students to present and reflect their photographic position as well as their social, photographic and art historic contextual positioning. Next to subject and technical education permanent parts of the study program are courses about the basic visual configuration and creation, about theory and history of photography.
The NEUE SCHULE FÜR FOTOGRAFIE offers with Berlin as an upcoming centre for photography an ideal surrounding for emerging photographers. Considering the attraction the city draws internationally, the NEUE SCHULE campaigns specific to international exchange for young photographers and builds networks with photo schools abroad.
Studies Studies take seven semesters within three and a half years. Each year consists of two semesters. Admissions take place twice a year in spring or autumn. A commission of teachers decides about students acceptation based on a portfolio and an interview.
1st year: fundamental studies (Grundklasse, 1st + 2nd semester)
2nd year: advanced studies (Fachklasse, 3rd + 4th semester)
3rd year: graduating class (Abschlussklasse, 5th + 6th semester)
4th year: finishing of the practical assignment (Abschlussklasse, 7th semester)
The studies conclude with a self-contained practical assignment during the end of the 7th semester. For completion also a written theoretical work is required.
The result of the exam will be given by a certificate.
Curricula | Course scheme
Each semester lasts 5 months; the sixth month is free of lesson and charge. Fundamental studies take place on 30 days each semester, advanced and graduated classes take place on 25 days each semester. One day of courses consists of 8 hours of lessons.
FUNDAMENTAL STUDIES (GRUNDKLASSE)
30 days of lessons per semester
1st Semester
Photography- professional course 9 days
Basics of visual creation 10 days
Technique (analogue/digital) 6 days
History and theory of photography 5 days
2nd Semester
Photography – professional course 10 days
Basics of visual creation 10 days
Technique (analogue/digital) 5 days
History and theory of photography 5 days
ADVANCED STUDIES (FACHKLASSE)
25 days of lessons per semester
3rd Semester
Photography- professional course 10 days
Digital technique 10 days
History and theory of photography 5 days
4th Semester
Photography- professional course 10 days
Digital technique 10 days
History and theory of photography 5 days
GRADUATING STUDIES (ABSCHLUSSKLASSE)
25 Days of lessons per semester
5th Semester
Photography- professional course 10 days
Digital technique 5 days
Photographic practice 5 days
History and theory of photography 5 days
6th Semester
Photography- professional course 10 days
Digital technique 5 days
Photographic practice 5 days
History and theory of photography 5 days
Excursions
In addition to the regular classes, teachers are organizing a several day lasting excursion once during the study period; in 2008 and 2010 this went to New York (studio interviews with photographers, visit of ICP and the local Magnum office, developing own photo projects). The ambition of this voluntary travels is to initiate concentrated work on a certain topic and to steady social contacts and connections within the class.
Seminars
The NEUE SCHULE FÜR FOTOGRAFIE offers regularly seminars for external persons and non-students interested in photography besides their three-year-education. Organizer of lectures, seminars and workshops is the “INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY FOR PHOTOGRAPHY” (IAPH) as a non-profit association.
IAPH aims as a patron of photography and administrator of the NEUE SCHULE FÜR FOTOGRAFIE, to offer educational programs to workforce, pensioners and students. Seminars and workshops are limited to a few days and take usually place on weekends.
Technical InfrastructureNEUE SCHULE FÜR FOTOGRAFIE possesses owns labs with multiple work positions and currently twelve computer stations for digital editing and fabrication of prints. Students have the opportunity to use and lend equipment and accessory from the own pool of the school (digital camera, middle-format camera, flash unit). A Library with the basic and most important literature about photography is built up currently.
International exchange / guests students NEUE SCHULE FÜR FOTOGRAFIE encourages the exchange of photographers from different nationalities. NEUE SCHULE mediates opportunities for German students according to abilities abroad and offers a contact point for international students. Since it’s founding the school registers an increasing interest of students from European art-academies and universities, at the moment students from USA, Canada, Israel, Austria, Swiss, Italy, Spain and Algeria are enlisted.
Students from foreign institutions have the possibility to apply for a guest-term or – year at the NEUE SCHULE FÜR FOTOGRAFIE to realize own projects within an advanced or graduating class. NEUE SCHULE FÜR FOTOGRAFIE offers the required expertise and technical infra structure. Applications as guest-student obtain the regular deadlines. Students have to be able to express in German.
Additional BenefitStudents are covered by public liability insurance in the frame of regular schooling including the way between school and home.
Students have the possibility to acquire a press card for the common yearly amount.
