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Photography (minor)
Basic information
Code:
ARTS3099
Extent:
18–24
ECTS
Curriculum:
2026–2028
2024–2026
2022–2024
Previous curricula
Level:
Advanced studies
Language of learning:
English
Target group:
All Aalto students
Teacher in charge:
Donald Weber
Administrative contact:
Jaakko Kölhi
studentservices@aalto.fi
Organising department:
Department of Art and Media
Organiser:
School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Prerequisites:
Please see application procedure and quotas and restrictions.
Quotas and restrictions:
Maximum intake 4 students. The minor is open to all master's level students.
Application process:
The Photography minor accepts applications every other year, intake spring 2027. Applicants are required to submit a
transcript of credits and an approved personal study plan (created in Sisu), along with a portfolio and motivation letter. The
motivation letter should outline the applicant’s background and experience relevant to the minor, and articulate their
learning objectives and interest in the program.
Content and structure of the minor
About the minor
Description of the minor
The Photography minor offers MA-level students an introduction to contemporary photographic and image-based practices through selected courses, workshops, and lectures. Emphasizing photography as a tool for artistic inquiry and multidisciplinary expression, the minor supports students’ personal development of independent practice through critical,
artistic research-oriented thinking.
Studies include thematic workshops and project-based work with a particular focus on the contemporary conditions of photography. Students are encouraged to explore an expanded understanding of photography: as material, conceptual, and situated practice.
The minor is open to MA students from across Aalto who have completed prior studies in photography, design, visual culture, media, or related fields, or who integrate photography in their own practice.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who complete the Photography minor will:
- Expand their ability to work with photography as a critical, conceptual, and material practice, drawing on appropriate tools, methods, and conceptual frameworks
- Strengthen their understanding of the photographic medium’s diverse roles -- aesthetic, social, political, and technical -- across historical and contemporary contexts
- Build confidence in developing independent projects that integrate research, reflection, and experimentation in image-based work
Content
The Photography minor subject consist of 12 ECTS compulsory studies from selected Photography courses and 6-12 ECTS optional thematic workshops and project based work.
| Code | Course name | ECTS credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory courses | ||
| AXM-E4009 | Image, movement and time | 6 |
| AXM-E4010 | Low Images, Local Tools | 6 |
| Select 6-12 out of the following | ||
| AXM-E0101 | Workshop Period I: Technologies of Seeing* | 3 |
| AXM-E0102 | Workshop Period II: Fine Art Printing* | 3 |
| AXM-E0201 | Study Project | 3-9 |
*)Organized during the intensive week at the end of each teaching period. The contents of the workshops vary from year to year.
(Check the minimum scope of the minor studies in your own program.)
Previous curricula
Code: ARTS3099
Extent: 18–24 ECTS
Curriculum: 2024–2026 2022–2024 2020–2022
Level: Advanced studies
Language of learning: English Finnish
Theme: Art and design knowledge building
Target group: All Aalto students
Teacher in charge: Donald Weber
Administrative contact: Jaakko Kölhi studentservices@aalto.fi
Organising department: Department of Art and Media
School: School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Prerequisites: Please see application procedure and quotas and restrictions.
Quotas and restrictions: Maximum intake 5 students. Target group: Bachelor 3rd year, all level of master students. Some courses have limited intake due to teaching methods that require small group teaching. Some courses have specific prerequisites, please see the details from the course descriptions.
Application process: Application every other year. No application in 2024. Application period in Spring term. See instructions and application form: Application instructions for Aalto University students. Include in the application: - Transcript of credits and approved personal study plan (created in Sisu). - Portfolio and motivation letter. In the letter the applicant describes one's background and experience relating to the minor subject and indicates one's learning objectives.
Content and structure of the minor
About the minor
Description of the minor
The studies emphasize photography as a means of independent and multidisciplinary arts expression as well as the development of artistic and research thinking. Studies include courses on professional development, artistic expression and research activities. The main content of the minor are the studies of history of contemporary photography and the workshops and projects in which students can deepen their artistic expression.
Upon starting the studies, student agrees on possible independent projects with the professor in charge or other teacher appointed to them.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who have completed the Photography minor will be able to:
- Advance their artistic expression and professional competence by utilizing techniques, tools and materials, working methods and theoretical concepts that support their artistic practice
- Practice their critical understanding of the diverse functions and specific characteristics of the photographic medium.
Content
| Code | Course name | ECTS credits |
|---|---|---|
| Alternative studies in the minor | ||
| AXM-E4002 | Contemporary Photographic Practices 1 | 9 |
| AXM-E4005 | Writing Images | 6 |
| AXM-E4004 | Moving Image | 6 |
| AXM-E0101 | Workshop period I* | 3 |
| AXM-E0102 | Workshop period II* | 3 |
*Organized during the intensive week at the end of each teaching period. The contents of the workshops vary from year to year.
Basic information
Code: ARTS3099
Extent: 18–24 ECTS
Curriculum: 2022–2024
Level: Bachelor Masters
Language of learning: English Finnish
Theme: Art and design knowledge building
Teacher in charge: Heli Rekula
Administrative contact: Jaakko Kölhi
Organising department: Department of Art and Media
Target group: All Aalto students
Prerequisites: Please see application procedure and quotas and restrictions. The applicant must have the needed technical and artistic capabilities to accepted to the minor.
Quotas and restrictions: Maximum intake 5 students. Additional application period may be used or places can be left unfulfilled, if there are not enough applicants who meet the selection criteria.
Application process: Application period in Spring term (no application in 2022): Application instructions for Aalto University students Include in the application: - Credit transcript and approved personal study plan - Motivation letter and a plan for the timetable to complete the minor studies. (Maximum length one A4 page.) - Portfolio or work samples. The portfolio can be attached to the application as a digital file or as a link, or it can be delivered to the administrative contact person physically by the end of the application period. Portfolio or work samples must show applicant’s skills on photography and their own artistic expression. The criteria for selection are the motivation of the student, needed technical skills for successful studies and evaluation on how photography minor will support student’s own artistic expression.
Content and structure of the minor
No intake for academic year 2022-2023
Length of the study right: One year
Timing: Periods I-V, possible to do during the autumn semester.
Learning outcomes
Students who have completed the Photography minor will be able to:
- advance their artistic expression and professional competence by utilizing techniques, tools and materials, working methods and theoretical concepts that support their artistic practice
- practice their critical understanding of the diverse functions and specific characteristics of the photographic medium
Content of the minor
The studies emphasize photography as a means of independent and multidisciplinary arts expression as well as the development of artistic and research thinking. Studies include courses on professional development, artistic expression and research activities. The main content of the minor are the studies of history of contemporary photography and the workshops and projects in which students can deepen their artistic expression. Upon starting the studies, student agrees on possible independent projects with the professor in charge or other teacher appointed to them.
Structure of the minor
| Code | Course name | ECTS credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory courses in the minor | ||
| AXM-E0001 | Thinking Practices in Art & Media* | 6 |
| Alternative studies in the minor | ||
| AXM-E4002 | Contemporary Photographic Practices 1 | 9 |
| AXM-E4006 | Photobook Design and Production | 6 |
| AXM-E4005 | Writing Images | 6 |
| AXM-E4004 | Moving Image | 6 |
| AXM-E0101 | Workshop period I** | 3 |
| AXM-E0102 | Workshop period II** | 3 |
| AXM-E0103 | Workshop period III** | 3 |
| AXM-E0104 | Workshop period IV** | 3 |
| AXM-E0201 | Study project | 1-15 |
| AXM-E0202 | Independent essay | 3 or 6 |
| AXM.trai | Internship and Professional experience | 3-12 |
*If the student comes from another BA/MA programme or school they take Thinking Practices in Art & Media (6 cr), which includes the Photography major component: History of Contemporary Photography. If the student comes from another major of the Bachelor's or Master’s Programme in Art & Media they take instead a minimum of 6 cr of other Photography major courses.
**Organized during the intensive week at the end of each teaching period. The contents of the workshops vary from year to year.
This page is in Finnish and you can find more information in that language.