One year intensive program - Photography (SAKF12)

Popis kurzu

One Year Intensive Photography Program is designed to develop each student’s technical skills, artistic vision, and critical understanding of photography as a visual storytelling medium. Ideal for those interested in studying filmmaking in Prague with a focus on still image creation, the program offers a structured yet exploratory approach to image-making.

Through mentor-guided workshops and individual consultations, students learn the fundamentals of digital and analog photography, mastering tools such as camera operation, studio lighting, postproduction, and visual composition. Emphasis is placed on the development of a personal photographic voice and the ability to express ideas through a series or body of work.

Alongside practical training, students engage with the history and theory of photography and film, exploring how visual culture shapes narrative and meaning. Lectures, critiques, and gallery visits deepen their ability to analyze and articulate their creative choices.

By the end of the photography program, students will have completed a cohesive photographic portfolio and gained the skills needed to pursue further academic studies or enter professional creative fields. FAMU Prague provides a rich environment to grow artistically within the broader context of European photography and filmmaking.

Výsledky učení

Graduates of the One-Year Intensive Photography Program at FAMU International, part of the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, emerge as technically proficient and creatively independent image-makers. With a foundation built through hands-on training and conceptual exploration, they are capable of developing original photographic projects from concept to execution, both in studio and outdoor settings.

Throughout the program, students gain experience with digital and analog photography, lighting, darkroom processing, and digital postproduction. They work under close mentorship, building a portfolio that reflects their personal vision and storytelling abilities. Through seminars in photography and film history, theory, and criticism, graduates also develop a strong understanding of the cultural, artistic, and historical contexts that inform their work.

By studying filmmaking in Prague with a focus on photography, graduates become well-rounded visual artists prepared for further academic study or creative careers in the fields of photography, visual arts, or media production. With an official transcript under the ECTS system and a certificate from FAMU International, they leave FAMU Prague equipped with both the skills and portfolio to confidently enter the next stage of their artistic journey.

Předpoklady uchazeče

Admission to the One-Year Intensive Photography Program is open to emerging photographers and visual storytellers who wish to explore their creative voice in an international and professionally guided setting. This program is ideal for those interested in studying filmmaking in Prague with a focus on photography as a distinct and expressive medium.

Applicants must complete and upload the official application form, either signed digitally or scanned if completed by hand. All specializations are equally competitive, so candidates should choose “Photography” based on genuine interest.

A current CV outlining academic, artistic, and language background must be submitted along with transcripts from all previously attended institutions.

Artistic samples must include a collection of 20-40 original photographs (in .jpg, max 2000px length, in ascending order), presented as cohesive series and uploaded as a

.zip. Additionally, applicants must submit a list of 10 influential photographers with brief explanations and a written project idea outlining preferred courses and photographic focus during the year.

Applicants are also required to submit a Statement of Intent detailing their expectations, goals, and reasons for wanting to study at FAMU Prague, uploaded as and a one-minute video self-portrait uploaded to Vimeo or YouTube in HD, with the link saved in a .doc.

Lastly, proof of payment of the application fee must be uploaded and sended.” The fee must be exact amount and include the applicant’s name and code in the message for the payee.

This program welcomes applicants with vision, motivation, and a desire to grow within the vibrant creative environment of FAMU Prague.

Podmínky absolování programu

The State Final Examination for the One-Year Intensive Photography Program at FAMU International serves as the final evaluation of each student’s creative growth, technical development, and conceptual understanding.

The examination centers on the presentation of a final photographic project – an original, cohesive body of work developed during the program under individual mentorship. This final series demonstrates the student’s ability to express a clear artistic vision through image composition, narrative structure, and thematic depth, whether in digital, analog or mixed media formats.

In addition to the final series, students present a curated portfolio of their work created throughout the course, including studio, outdoor, darkroom, and digital exercises. This portfolio reflects both creative exploration and the technical skills gained across a range of styles and processes.

The final component is an oral defense, where students discuss their work, explain their creative and technical choices, and reflect on the artistic journey undertaken during the program. They may also be asked to respond to questions on photography history, visual theory, and contemporary practice, placing their work within broader artistic and cultural contexts.