The Radical Lens
Digital Photo in Prague
Summer 2024
Robert Carrithers, Photographer spending a day at the Leica Gallery in Prague with Photography students from the 2022 progam.
The Radical Lens
Why 'Radical Lens' as the theme for this year's program?
Photographs can be a reaction, a recording, serve as an activation and provide a place for introspection and self-reflection. Photographs have served to provide both dominant and counter narratives throughout the arc of Prague's history. We will, through this course, investigate how the photograph's role in Czech's culture and sense of identity has evolved along with the political, social timelines - public and personal.
Currently, photography continues to operate as both a catalyst for change and a reinforcer of norms. Through our experiences exploring the creative works of artists and the ways in which art and photographic images can serve as tools for agitation, education, healing and resistance against oppression, we will be learning about the history, resilience and social and cultural developments of the Czech Republic through the study of Art movements and specific creative responses to moments in history as well as current iterations of genres that have evolved along with the changing times, such as street photography, gender exploration, expansion and expression through photo essay and portraiture, documentary photography and photojournalism and Surrealism.
Slight Uncertainty by Michal Trpak
Make an Appointment
There are a few kinds of appointments that you might want to make. Whether it's getting more one on one attention with the Study Abroad office or asking me questions about the course and what to expect, or once you've applied, attending a Next Steps session in order to be eligible to place your deposit to reserve your spot in the program.
Make an appointment with the Study Abroad Office
Attend a Next Steps Session
Connect directly with Financial Aid
Intro to Digital Photography
ART 140A / 4 Credits
This is a class that anyone can jump into - we cover everything from lighting and using the manual settings on your camera to components of design and composition and the history behind the technology that we use today to make, print and share our images. From your cell phones to DSLR and Mirror-less Cameras - taking this class provides a strong foundation for you to both make and view photography in your everyday life with a critical eye and an appreciation that will change your life.
Format: Split - Portland, on campus at PCC Sylvania and In country - Prague, Czech Republic
Photo II: Digital Photography
ART 240A / 4 Credits
In this second level course of digital photography, students will be focusing on building upon their previous photographic foundations and adding layers to their practice via lighting, flash and a concentration on color and other more complicated ways of working with the photographic image. More focus will be placed on the development of an individual vision and improvisational response to the opportunities that arise from daily interactions via street photography as well as group critiques. Students are encouraged to build on their previous use of Photoshop and shift their practice towards minimal 'post' work and rather concentrate on making meaning through the images that they create.
Format: Split - PDX and Prague
The Photographic Portfolio
ART 243 / 4 Credits
Special Focus on The Photo Book. Develop a body of work throughout the term & learn about self publishing, promotion and taking the first steps to a professional practice. Learn how to work with a series of images and develop meaning through placement, pacing and design with your images in the digital and physical book format. Students will get to work together to curate a catalog of images, experiences, writings, poems and other modes of expression into an artifact of their time abroad and how the experience influences the ways in which they approach their artistic practice.
Format: Split - PDX and Prague
Paying for Study Abroad can be intimidating, however, there are a lot of opportunities for folks who would like to go, to put together ways to afford the journey.
First and foremost, this is your academic journey. All three of these courses fulfill a Gen Ed requirement and can count towards your degree and transfer credits. If you are Pell Grant qualified, you are also eligible to apply to the Early Gilman scholarship as well as the other Gilman scholarship awards. Find out more through the Study Abroad Office.
The best way to find out more about funding your study abroad journey is to contact the Study Abroad office. The folks there will help you from the initial applications to helping you write your scholarship essays and fill out applications. We even have a couple of study abroad specialists in Financial Aid at PCC who have helped many students successfully strategize and fund their study abroad experiences.
Who Can Enroll?
Eligibility Requirements
To participate in a PCC study abroad program, you must meet the following requirements:
Be 18 years of age or older by program start date.
Maintain good academic and disciplinary standing.
Complete the prerequisite course(s) for the study abroad program prior to the program start date. (or ask the instructor for an override)
Watch our Information Session videos or meet individually with an Ed Abroad Advisor.
Possess qualities of independence, self-reliance, and maturity necessary for studying abroad.
Develop the willingness and ability to embrace the challenges of studying abroad.
Faculty, Staff, Community Members, Credit and Non-Credit Students are welcome to enroll in this opportunity! You just have to be a registered student in order to take the class. Credits are an option and beneficial for our students, however, we are enthusiastic about anyone who is interested and meets eligibility requirements to enroll in the class!
PCC's Study Abroad emphasizes our own commitment to the UN Sustainability goals
Every Study Abroad Program offered is asked to indicate which UN Sustainability goals their program will fulfill.