Advanced Photography
SOCAPA's Advanced Photography intensive is for our return photography students and students who have extensive experience with digital photography. A strong emphasis is placed on portfolio development, and each student will be encouraged to create a body of work that showcases his or her own unique, creative vision through thematic and stylistic choices.
Throughout this intensive, students learn advanced Photoshop and Lightroom techniques as well as advanced studio lighting, structured around assignments such as group portraits. They also begin to develop their ideas for their themed independent project, and are given the structure to develop their artistic choices, plan their shoot, and edit their photographs into a cohesive portfolio. Students are also challenged to push their creative and professional boundaries by participating in thoughtful, constructive, in-class critiques on a regular basis.
Independent Project
Advanced Photo students are given the time and structure to create a body of work that demonstrates their unique artistic vision and aesthetic style. This project is open to many interpretations, and students are challenged to plan and execute a shoot that speaks to their particular interests.
Students create a body of work cohesive in concept and aesthetic style. Lessons and field trips help place projects in the context of contemporary photography, and supportive classroom critiques assist students in editing and refining their visions. Instructors guide students through their projects with individualized technical help and photographic references tailored to each students’ interest.
Student Photo Slideshows
A few slideshow highlights from the Advanced Photography experience.
Advanced Techniques
Students learn advanced Lightroom and Photoshop techniques like compositing, split-toning, and mattes. Additional advanced techniques are based on the direction and needs of student led independent projects. Your imagination is the limit in a digital workspace.
At SOCAPA's Burlington Vermont campus you can learn to operate a 35mm camera and to develop and print in the darkroom. If a student is not familiar with darkroom developing, we’ll start with the basics. If you choose to use film photography in your independent project—or if you just want to experiment—there will be ample time provided.
Projects
The art of photographing groups. Students will have the opportunity to work with the actors and dancers in the program to create exciting group portraits. Through this exercise, students will learn to refine their directorial abilities and enhance their knowledge of location shooting. Creating group portraits will enable students to further understand the properties of natural and artificial lighting.
Students will have the opportunity to create a staged, cinematic portrait. Through this exercise, students will learn what it is like to carry out a professional editorial assignment, from detailed planning and location scouting to assigning the roles of stylists, art directors and photo assistants. They will plan the project thoroughly from layout to finish, sketching and refining ideas, casting characters and gathering props and costumes. Students will learn how to shoot on location, mixing different types of ambient and strobe lighting.
2026 Summer Intensives
Advanced Photography runs in New York City and Burlington, Vermont.
Advanced Photography
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Tell us a bit about your student and what you’re looking for. Our team can help you choose the right campus, dates, and session length.
(802) 251-7378
admissions@socapa.org
