Taught by: Dr Bernice Wong
Name: He Yiyang (@itsyiyanglahi)
Content (Structure/Organization): 5
The first half of the course introduced basic photography skills, while the second half focused on storytelling through photography. The curriculum is structured, following a step-by-step approach with clear learning outcomes.
Manageability of Workload: 2
The assessments were as follows:
Assignment 1: Family portraiture on social media (individual work) 30%
Assignment 2: Understanding Singapore society campaign/website (group work) 45%
Homework (individual) 15%
Class participation 10%
Instead of the strict mark, Prof was more interested in the process of completing assignments and the journey you take to get there. Her marking was probably on the more lenient end of the scale, where she values your efforts, learning, growth, and creativity more than your ability to complete the assignments perfectly. While she did emphasize the importance of photographic skills, much of the attention in assessments was given to storytelling and how you use photos to create narratives rather than taking extremely professional photos. (Of course, you do get to learn that too.)
Assignment 2 was quite demanding, as you’re required to conduct a mini-IEx, in the sense that it involves working with external organizations, capturing videos and photos of them, doing some research and ultimately presenting your findings in the form of a website. While it does require some time and effort, it can be an enjoyable experience if you have good teammates.
Ease/Difficulty of Attaining Grades:
Probably not very difficult if you put in decent effort. Assignment 2 was harder to get a good grade because it also depends on the effort of your group mates. This semester, Prof assigned us into teams, so there’s a lot of luck involved who you get as your teammates. The individual assignments are manageable and enjoyable.
I expected to get around an A- and ended up getting an A.
Learning Value/Recommendation: 5
It’s allows you to appreciate the deeper significance of photos around you and learn some basic photography skills. More importantly, I felt it was more exploratory and gave you a lens and a moment to appreciate your surroundings through the final project (which required you to document people doing something for a good social cause).
About the Instructor:
Bernice is an absolutely adorable and knowledgeable lady who is also an approachable Prof. She’s an NUS alumnus in sociology and had an incredibly fascinating life after graduation, which has also influenced her career as a photographer. Her lessons are structured and never tedious, and she sometimes ends early if we’ve finished the course content. There are also field trips involved, where you get to shoot photos in Little India.
Name: Nguyen Thu Hoai (@thwhoai)
Content (Structure/Organization): 2
First two lessons are basics to photography. Next fews are on picking photos and curations, which is honestly really helpful/rather eye-opening. Bernice brings students out to practice shooting. The second half focuses on the final project (a social advocate campaign, multi-media). There is class time given for students to discuss/work on the project. It might feel too chill/disorganised for some people (sometimes I don’t know what’s gonna happen next class), deadline for submitting might be within the day of the class. However, you can negotiate with Prof, she’s okay with it most of the time.
Accessibility and Assessment: 4
The first few lessons are the basics to photography, so not to be too worry. I think people that step into this class thinking that they are beginners and wanting to learn would gain the most from this class. Some photography background does help, but basics are taught in class.
Manageability of Workload: 2
Not heavy. Class time is provided to discuss the final project, so it doesn’t feel like I have to work on it that much. Class starts late and doesn’t drag out for too long. You can kinda prep for class as much as you want (so if you find it fun you can do more, but often it’s okay to do bare minimum leading up to class).
Ease/Difficulty of Attaining Grades:
For my class, some people take it for an easy time and S/U it. go a bit crazy with your personal project and justify it well, pick your groupmates wisely, and choose a good/more serious topic for your campaign. I think Bernice is on the liberal side of giving grades, but do look like you put in efforts, it’ll be rewarded.
Learning Value/Recommendation: 4
As someone with prior photography experience, I found the part about curations very helpful/rather mind-blowing. I think curation is the harder part of photography, since getting a single good photo is easy, but putting together a good set of photo essay is hard. I highly recommend this course overall.
About the Instructor:
Bernice Wong is incredibly funny and chill. She’s a knowledgable photographer and gave a lot of insightful feedback. Though I can foresee some people getting frustrated because she will say ‘you go and try first, see if it work’, which is a legit good advice, but you might not like it 💀
Content (Structure/Organization): 5
Generally well organised and informative! General content about photography branches out in the later parts to consider effects in media and campaigns.
Accessibility and Assessment: 5
Although photography is inherently technical, not much photography knowledge is required. The course introduces sufficient techniques which teach basic and core skills which is enough. Beyond that, knowledge of multimedia campaigns is not required as much as the ability to create one within very broad boundaries.
Manageability of Workload: 5
Generally not particularly heavy, occasional readings and homework assignments. However, the final project is rather time consuming since it is creative based.
Ease/Difficulty of Attaining Grades:
Not sure about how many people scored As but personal experience suggests that a decent score is achievable
Learning Value/Recommendation: 4
Allowed me to reflect on photography as an art form more deeply and learnt quite abit!
About the Instructor:
Great teacher and really approachable, Bernice is a really fun and cool tutor!
Additional Comments/Word of Advice:
Bernice also manages a GEx which she is really keen for people to know about as well which is similar to the course due to the photography/project based nature!