The Sheridan Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA) in photography program offers a professional photography education with an emphasis on the conceptual, technical and aesthetic possibilities of the medium. The program combines practice, history and theory, enabling students to make images that communicate perceptions, emotions and ideas. Sheridan’s BAA (Photography) Program prepares students for careers at the high end of advertising, fashion, editorial and corporate photography for print and online publication.
In this intensive photography program, assignments provide a broad range of professional level challenges and experiences in the following areas:
- Product advertising
- Corporate promotion
- Editorial
- Portraiture
- Beauty, fashion and music
- Architectural and industrial location
- Photo documentary
- Video production
- Interactive design
- Conceptual
Sheridan is one of the best-equipped photography colleges in North America. You’ll learn to use all the current industry-standard cameras (including DSLR, medium- and large-format digital), studio and location lights, colour-calibrated computer labs, industrial printers and scanners, and software such as Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Capture One and Lightroom. But above all you’ll learn to use a photographer’s most important tools: your eyes and your creativity.
You’ll receive a DSLR camera kit for your exclusive use from September to the end of April for each of the first two years. You’ll not be required to own a camera until Year 3 of the program. You’ll also receive a personal external hard drive for file transfers and storage. This hard drive becomes your property. You are not required to own your own laptop.
This four-year program includes eight academic semesters and one, 14-week internship at the end of Year 3. The program will provide the degree level credential typical of photography internationally.
Learn from Professionals
Sheridan’s photography instructors are successful working professionals who will provide career mentoring in addition to technical and artistic instruction. You’ll learn essential business skills such as:
- Negotiating contracts and releases
- Managing copyright
- Building a self-promotional website
- Preparing a professional portfolio
- Pitching clients
Additional Costs
Plan to spend $1,500 – $2,000 per year in supplies (e.g. printing and mounting costs; props for studio and location shoots).
Sheridan Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA) in photography courses are held at the Trafalgar Road Campus in Oakville, Ontario.
Graduates of Sheridan’s BAA (Photography) Program begin their careers as assistants or freelance photographers, then work their way into full-time employment or operate their own studios. Sheridan photography graduates work in:
- Advertising photography
- Corporate photography
- Fashion and editorial photography
- Industrial and architectural photography
- Public relations and event photography
- Magazine photo editing
- Image bank photo editing
- Photojournalism
- Video production
- Website production
- Travel and tourism
- Digital post-production
Program Eligibility
Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, including these required courses:
- One English, Grade 12 (ENG4U)
plus
- One senior-level Visual Arts credit at the (M) or Open level
- Four other Grade 12 subjects at the U or M level
- Minimum 65% overall average
or
- Two semesters of postsecondary education including required courses with minimum 65% overall average
Applicant Selection
Eligible applicants are selected on the basis of their previous academic achievement (the average of their six highest senior-level credits, including required courses), and the results of their portfolio, questionnaire and participation in an information session. There is a portfolio assessment fee.
Applicants who do not meet the admission requirements for this program will be assessed and advised individually and may be considered for other, related programs.
Sheridan has been granted consent by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to offer this applied degree for a seven-year term starting May 14, 2010. Sheridan will ensure that all students admitted to the Bachelor of Applied Arts (Photography) Program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.
Bridging from Ontario Photography Diploma Programs
Recent graduates from Ontario two-year photography diploma programs may apply for bridging into Sheridan’s degree program. Bridging is the equivalent of five semesters of full-time study plus, for those candidates who do not have equivalent work experience, a 14-week internship. Upon successful completion, including the internship, students will receive a Bachelor of Applied Arts (Photography) degree.
| CODE |
TITLE |
CREDITS |
| |
|
|
| TERM 1 |
|
|
| VDES 10229 |
Photography Basic Design 1 |
TBA |
| VDES 15586 |
Photo Fundamentals |
TBA |
| VDES 17900 |
Digital Production 1: Image Processing |
TBA |
| VDES 10102 |
Digital Imaging 1: Foundation |
TBA |
| VDES 10065GD |
Conceptual Process 1: Photographic Expression |
TBA |
| ENGL 17889GD |
Composition and Rhetoric |
TBA |
| |
|
|
| Total: |
|
TBA |
| |
|
|
| TERM 2 |
|
|
| VDES 24049 |
Photography Basic Design 2 |
TBA |
| VDES 14049 |
Studio Practice 1: Light |
TBA |
| VDES 24310 |
Digital Production 2: Workflow |
TBA |
| VEDS 26206 |
Digital Imaging 2: Image Manipulation |
TBA |
| VDES 23314GD |
Conceptual Process 2: Photographic Communication |
TBA |
| PSYC 16571GD |
Principles of Psychology |
TBA |
| |
|
|
| Total: |
|
TBA |
| |
|
|
| TERM 3 |
|
|
| VDES 10587 |
Photographic Literacy 1: Design |
TBA |
| VDES 22550 |
Studio Practice 2: Specialized Lighting |
TBA |
| VDES 14178 |
Introduction to Portraiture: Subject and Light |
TBA |
| VDES 37545 |
Digital Imaging 3: Photo Montage |
TBA |
| VDES 15142 |
Introduction to Media Photography |
TBA |
| SOCS 17370GD |
Research Methods |
TBA |
| |
|
|
| Total: |
|
TBA |
| |
|
|
| TERM 4 |
|
|
| VDES 10587 |
Photographic Literacy 2: Representation |
TBA |
| VDES 22550 |
Studio Practice 3: Product |
TBA |
| VDES 21044 |
Illustrative Portraiture 1: Practice |
TBA |
| VDES 40004 |
Digital Imaging 4: Professional Projects |
TBA |
| HIST 17545 |
History of Photography |
TBA |
| Plus |
1 Breadth Elective |
TBA |
| |
|
|
| Total: |
|
TBA |
| TERM 5 |
|
|
| VDES 19402 |
Interactive Design 1 |
TBA |
| VDES 47198 |
Studio Practice 4: Advertising |
TBA |
| VDES 33921 |
Illustrative Portraiture 2: Fashion and Corporate |
TBA |
| VDES 19999 |
Location Photography 1: Outdoors |
TBA |
| HIST 24857 |
History of Advertising Photography |
TBA |
| Plus |
1 Breadth Elective |
TBA |
| Total: |
|
TBA |
| TERM 6 |
|
|
| VDES 23921 |
Interactive Design 2 |
TBA |
| VDES 46048 |
Studio Practice 5: Fashion |
TBA |
| VDES 19798 |
Photography Professional Business Practices 1 |
TBA |
| VDES 23199 |
Location Photography 2: Interiors |
TBA |
| VDES 11044 |
Photographic Theory |
TBA |
| Plus |
1 Breadth Elective |
TBA |
| Total: |
|
TBA |
| TERM 7 |
|
|
| VDES 10799 |
Photographic Narrative 1 |
TBA |
| VDES 44444 |
Photographic Studies 1 |
TBA |
| BUSM 20146 |
Photography Professional Business Practices 2 |
TBA |
| VDES 11632 |
Moving Image 1 |
TBA |
| Plus |
2 Breadth Electives |
TBA |
| Total: |
|
TBA |
| TERM 7 |
|
|
| VDES 26859 |
Photographic Narrative 2 |
TBA |
| VDES 43431 |
Photographic Studies 2 |
TBA |
| VDES 40123 |
Photography Portfolio Project |
TBA |
| VDES 27370 |
Moving Image 2 |
TBA |
| Plus |
2 Breadth Electives |
TBA |
| Total: |
|
TBA |
Note: Courses subject to change. Credit values not available at press time.
Bridging from Ontario Photography Diploma Programs
Faculty: Faculty of Animation, Arts and Design
Program Code: PBAPB
Duration: 2.5 years plus 14 week work placement
Designation: Bridge
Campus: Trafalgar Road
Start Date: September
Program Information
The Bachelor of Applied Arts (Photography)-Bridging Program is designed for graduates of qualifying two-year Ontario photography diploma programs who are looking to further their education and develop the additional skills and knowledge required to graduate with a Bachelor of Applied Arts in photography.
The bridging program consists of 5 academic semesters, and a 14-week industry work placement (not required for students for documented, equivalent industry experience). Bridging students will be required to take 96 credits to complete the degree.
Admission Requirements
Completion of an Ontario College Diploma in:
• Digital Photography and Imaging (MTCU Code 51830) or
• Photography (MTCU Code 51831)
• Ontario College Graduate Certificate in Photography (MTCU Code 71831)
The individual must have completed the program no earlier than 2005 and graduated with a GPA of 2.4 or better.
There is no portfolio requirement for applicants to the BAA (Photography)-Bridge.
Core Courses
Code |
Title |
Credits |
VDES10229 |
Photography Basic Design 1 |
3 |
VDES24049 |
Photography Basic Design 2 |
3 |
VDES13314 |
Conceptual Process 1: Photographic Expression |
3 |
VDES23314 |
Conceptual Process 2: Photographic Communication |
3 |
VDES15142 |
Introduction to Media Photography* |
3 |
VDES28081 |
Photographic Literacy 2: Representation* |
3 |
HIST17545 |
History of Photography |
3 |
HIST24857 |
History of Advertising Photography |
3 |
VDES23921 |
Interactive Design 2 |
3 |
VDES46048 |
Studio Practice 5: Fashion |
3 |
BUSM19798 |
Professional Business Practices 1 |
3 |
VDES11044 |
Photographic Theory |
3 |
VDES10799 |
Photographic Narrative 1 |
3 |
VDES44444 |
Photographic Studies 1 |
3 |
BUSM20146 |
Professional Business Practices 2 |
3 |
VDES11632 |
Moving Image 1 |
3 |
VDES26859 |
Photographic Narrative 2 |
3 |
VDES43431 |
Photographic Studies 2 |
3 |
VDES27370 |
Moving Image 2 |
3 |
VDES40123 |
Portfolio Project |
6 |
* Not required for graduates of Sheridan’s Applied Photography diploma program
Bridging Courses
HIST25738 |
History in Practice |
3 |
VDES30049 |
Visual Culture in Practice |
3 |
Breadth Courses
ENGL17889GD |
Composition and Rhetoric |
3 |
9 Breadth Elective courses |
27 |
Work Placement (14 weeks)
Note: Courses subject to change.