Course detail

Basics of Photography 2

FaVU-1ZAFOT2Acad. year: 2026/2027

In the Basics of Photography 2 course, students develop their theoretical knowledge and practical skills in studio photography with overlaps into interdisciplinary artistic practice. The course develops skills in the areas of documentary and artistic photography. It focuses on both photographic capture and digital photography post-production. Building on practical exercises, relevant trends in photography within a global context are presented throughout the course.

 

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

2

Assignment to study programme types

Bachelor's

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Entry knowledge

None.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

At the beginning of the semester, students will be divided into two groups based on their prior experience with photography. Instruction for the individual groups will take place on an alternating schedule of even/odd weeks; during the 'off week,' students will work on homework assignments.

Instruction takes place in the KAT FaVU video studio or in the darkroom at the scheduled times. Attendance is mandatory (2 unexcused absences are permitted).

Credit is awarded based on attendance, active participation in class, and the completion of homework assignments.

 

Aims

The course develops students' knowledge in the field of practical photography. It serves as an advanced introduction to the fundamentals of composition, as well as studio and location lighting. Students will gain creative experience along with professional and technical knowledge. They will master the essential techniques of studio photography. The course also includes the basics of post-production in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom software.

Upon completing the course, students will:

  • be capable of applying the acquired knowledge and experience within their studio work and independent artistic creation
  • be capable of working in the darkroom and processing black-and-white photographic material
  • be capable of digitizing an analog image and processing it in post-production
  • be capable of post-processing captured photographic material
  • be capable of creating studio photographs, documenting their own work, and utilizing photography for their own project

 

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Basic literature

Bruce Barnbaun, The Art of Photography: A Personal Approach to Artistic Expression, Rocky Nook, 2017. (EN)
Mary Warner Marien, Photography: A Cultural History, Laurence King Publishing, 2021 (EN)
Michael Freaman, Fotografie v praxi, Zoner Press, 2013. (CS)
Tom Anglenberger, Základy digitální fotografie, Computer Press 2013. (CS)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme DES_B Bachelor's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
  • Programme VUM_B Bachelor's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Creative seminar

24 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

    • Studio work: basics of product and portrait lighting, and white balance using color charts
    • Documentation of artwork and books
    • Exhibition documentation
    • Fundamentals of editing in Adobe Photoshop (levels, curves, reading the histogram)
    • Fundamentals of editing in Adobe Photoshop (layers, masks, retouching)
    • Basic prepress preparation, export for print and web