esmad

ESCOLA SUPERIOR DE MEDIA, ARTES E DESIGN

POLITÉCNICO DO PORTO - CAMPUS II (VILA DO CONDE)

ABOUT THE INSTITUTION

PHOTOGRAPHY COURSES AND CURRICULAR UNITS

The cycle of studies in Photography aims at the qualified training of artists and photographers endowed with skills and critical capacity to develop the photographic discourse in its various aspects, both professional and authorial. In this sense, a strong practical component is emphasized, which enables the acquisition of technical skills and encourages experimentation and authorial development. The theoretical component aims to develop discursive and critical skills, as well as a historical and political awareness that encourages in students an innovative and challenging practice. Given the rapid and successive transformations in the field of image and, consequently, in the paradigms of photography, the course presents a wide range of curricular units that enable transdisciplinarity between photography and areas that allow the exploration of other “media” and formats that are fundamental for a contemporary photographic discourse supported by the indispensable technical support and by infrastructures and equipment of high quality.

The Master in Audiovisual Communication has two specializations: Photography and Documentary Cinema or Audiovisual Production and Direction. The course promotes the development of skills in research, theoretical conceptualization, artistic creation and project practice and aims to train professionals with higher qualifications in the field of research in photography, documentary and fiction filmmaking, directing, producing, sound, photography and audiovisual direction. In the first year, students work on theoretical issues related to research methodologies and the practices of photography and cinema (fiction and documentary) in the Artistic Residency. In the second year they develop an authorial project in one of the following areas: photography, documentary filmmaking, or fiction filmmaking. Alternatively, they can integrate a professional internship in a company or institution in the area under study. This master’s program, privileging interdisciplinarity and the relationship with the outside world, integrates in its curricular plan an Artistic Residency, the photography, cinema and multimedia cycle – Imagens do Real Imaginado – and several external initiatives. It welcomes the participation of national and international teachers, creatives, professionals in technical areas, filmmakers and photographers. It has protocols with several universities and partnerships with the main cultural and artistic organizations: Curtas de Vila do Conde, Olhares Frontais de Viana do Castelo, DocLisboa, Instituto de Cinema e Audiovisuais, Centro Português de Fotografia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, South Wales University, Derby University and Research Centers CCRE/FAUP, i2ADS/FBAUP, eCPR de Wales, among others.

PHOTOGRAPHY 1

In this curricular unit the basic principles of photographic technique are approached with manual control digital equipment, encouraging an intensive practice, observation of examples and collective discussion of results.

PHOTOGRAPHY 2

This curricular unit provides advanced photographic training with professional equipment, applied to portrait, product and landscape photography, promoting the integration of photography in multimedia environments.

PHOTOGRAPHY 1

Introduction to the structural foundations of the photographic phenomenon: from optical image to photometric quantification and control of density, contrast and color.

Handling the camera for formal and creative applications: sharpening, action, freeze and drag.

Use of the portable flash attached, as an element of qualitative modeling of the existing lighting.

Critique of photographic construction in thematic personal work. Use of the coupled portable flash, as an element of qualitative modeling of the existing illumination.

PHOTOGRAPHY 2

Study and practice of documentary photography in the areas of photojournalism, portraiture, landscape and architecture, with tools that allow a fully digital and analog / digital workflow.

PHOTOGRAPHY 3

Divided into two modules, this curricular unit (UC) equips students with advanced technical notions of production and post-production related to the universes of fashion advertising. This course is characterized by a high practical component and strong conceptual awareness.

PHOTOGRAPHIC PROJECT

Design and development of a photographic project, accompanied by a written report of technical, historical and critical contextualization on the chosen theme, culminating with an exhibition, a book and the public defense of the work.

RESEARCH CENTER

ID+ - RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR DESIGN, MEDIA AND CULTURE

The Research Institute for Design, Media and Culture [ID+] is a multidisciplinary research structure originally anchored in two institutions: University of Aveiro (Department of Communication and Art) [UA /DeCA] and University of Porto (School of Fine Arts) [FBAUP]; in 2017, the Polytechnic of Cávado and Ave (School of Design) [IPCA / ESD] has joined the consortium, as did the Polytechnic of Porto (School of Media Arts and Design) [IPP / ESMAD] in 2023. ID+ was created at 2007 and started its funded operation in January 2009, after external review (the visit of the international panel occurred in February 2008) assigned a rating of ‘Very Good’.

ID+ works towards the inscription and legitimisation of design and associated disciplines in the Arts and Sciences. It develops this mission primarily in the Northern region of Portugal and other peripheral environments, as well as national and international cooperation networks.

ID+ operates contextually by producing, transferring, reverting and communicating the scientific and professional knowledge of design, media and culture into environments where it may be of benefit.

ID+ focuses on both heritage and contemporaneity: contributing to a longevity of design legacies, and interpreting the rapid challenges of the discipline in today’s World. These contributions are strategic, taxonomical, technical, cognitive, structural and pedagogical.

ID+ is currently organised in five strategic groups:

CULTURES
DESIGN FOR HEALTH
INDUSTRIES
MEDIA
TERRITORIES

The regional scale of ID+ is ensured through its consortium structure: ID+ is currently hosted in a formal cooperation agreement between the Universities of Aveiro and Porto and the Polytechnics of Cávado and Ave, and Porto. The convergence of the respective institutional competences ensures a degree of hybridity and critical mass that furthers an expanded research territory.

The team currently comprises 251 members, of which 88 are integrated PhDs. Besides the aforementioned host Universities and Polytechnics, member provenance includes ten further national higher education and research institutions. Member status also includes experienced professional, doctoral students and collaborators.

contacts

COORDINATING TEACHER
Luís Ribeiro
João Leal