Photography Courses in Florence, Italy

TheDarkroom International School Of Photography:
TheDarkroom's main goal is to prepare you to become professional photographer and to let you have fun with Photography while studying this art. But we also provide a wide variety of courses which are useful from everyone from the amateur weekend photographer to the most ambitious of pre-professional photographers. High school students, summer students, university students, and pre- and post-professionals have all enjoyed classes at TheDarkroom. We can tailor a specific course for your every photographic need.

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Three-Year Academic Program:The Three-Year Academic Program is designed to prepare the student for photography as a profession. Covering many different fields of photography, the course strongly focuses on the commercial aspects of the profession, as well as the creative side needed to pursue photography as an art form.
Our school is renowned for the high quality of its programs and high level of its instructors. The school’s programs reflect the competence and diversity of the instructors; all individually professional photographers, they aided in the creation of the courses, drawing from their specialization in diverse fields to create a complete and comprehensive study of many different types of photography. Maintaining a high standard, the school requires the students to work of projects that they will be able to use as portfolios for entry into the world of professional photography.
The first year of the Academic Program is set up for those who want to study professional photography, those who want to find and develop a personal style in their art, as well as those who simply want to learn photography for fun. The program begins with a high standard, starting at the basic level to provide the students with the most important information about aesthetics of the image, equipment for taking and printing, materials to use, the importance of light, and composition. In addition to rapidly improving your techniques as a photographer, you will deepen your visual perception and develop your personal style. By the end of the first year, the student will not only be well-versed in techniques of black and white photography, but will have entered into the world of color photography, digital technology, professional processing systems, and working with advanced gear to shoot in the studio.
The first year is broken down into three levels:
1) the basic level will familiarize the student with use of the camera and lenses, and printing processes in the black and white darkroom.
2) the intermediate level continues work in the black and white darkroom, moving on to creative printing techniques. While developing a personal style, and learning to communicate through their work, the students will be influenced by the study of important techniques and styles of past masters of photography.
3) the advanced level prepares the student for professional work with manual as well as digital systems for shooting and image processing. This level will focus on professional studio systems, color photography, and conceiving a personal style. Students will be involved in research and analysis of concepts of contemporary photography in order to improve their personal aesthetics. Through this research, they will become prepared to begin an independent professional career or a personal artistic career as a photographer.
The second and third years of the Academic Program are designed to allow the students to deepen their understanding of particular concepts and pursue more in-depth work in specific fields of photography introduced in the first year course.
Fundemental two-year master courses include advanced digital photography, fashion photography, photojournalism, advertisement, and commerical photography. With these courses, the students are lead to experience all photographic techniques available, and guided in the production of work to further their resumè towards becoming a professional photographer.
Apart from the fundemental masters courses, there are several other specific courses available, in interior photography, art and craft reproduction, extreme darkroom techniques, ancient printing techniques, creative photography, food photography, ceremony photography, astronomical photography, scientific photography, journalism, creative writing workshop, public speaking, grapic design, web design, communication, self-promotion, and video.
All topics covered in courses are designed for students looking to carry out photography as a profession. All fields of photography, from the most famous to the least known, are studied with our theoretical-practical approach. This method engages the students in learning, while giving them the opportunity to produce useful material for future work as a professional.
In the second and third years the student are exposed to other key visual concepts, furthering their study in history of photography, history of art, and history of cinema in order to develop their visual perception to a more well-rounded understanding. The world of professional photography requires expertise in everything related to photography, and to cater to this demand, we also offer graphic design and web design as part of the most comprehensive photography program ever.
Giving our students every opportunity to produce and improve upon their work, beginning in the second year students are involved in the writing and editing of TheDarkroom Magazine where all fields of Photography converge. Working with the magazine, students will be asked to write essays on photo-journalism, as well as to produce photos of advertisement-quality and works with fashion photography. In addition to the magazine, the photo agency TheDarkroom Pictures will allow the highly qualified students to enter into close contact with the market, with real work experience and professional contacts.
During the course, depending on availability, visits to photo exhibitions, museums, and shows may be scheduled during regular class time in order to enrich the students’ understanding of the history of photography, as well as broaden their exposure to the work of other great photographers. At the end of each level there will be a collective photographic exhibition with the works of the enrolled students.

PREREQUISITES

No knowledge of Italian is required. No Italian language course is rquired. No entry requirements are asked for Basic Level; to entry Intermediate or Advanced Levels you should present a personal portfolio in which you show your technical and aesthetic preparation. Special classes are multilevel and tailored to the individual student.
Schedule: 40 hours of class per month (3 classes per week), 10 students maximum per class, open studio time all week round. Minimum course duration is 1 trimester, maximum course duration are 3 trimesters + specialization. Course is held day-time and in the evening also.

One-Year Academic Program:Academic Program is conceived for students who want to study professional photography, understanding and deepening their knowledge to start their career. At the end of this year students have a solid basic and intermediate preparation beside an introduction to the advanced branches of photojournalism, fashion photography and advertisement photography. It is structured in three levels, basic, intermediate, advanced, during twelve weeks each. A minimum of three months attendance is required. At the end of this year it is possible to deepen the study on all fields of professional photography with the second and third year of the Three-Year academic Program. Entry requirements: none for Basic Level; to entry Intermediate or Advanced Levels it is necessary to present a portfolio in which students show their technical and aesthetic preparation. This program is held in English and Italian language. Schedules are daytime and evening also.
PREREQUISITES

No knowledge of Italian is required. No Italian language course is rquired. No entry requirements are asked for Basic Level; to entry Intermediate or Advanced Levels you should present a personal portfolio in which you show your technical and aesthetic preparation. Special classes are multilevel and tailored to the individual student.
Schedule: 40 hours of class per month (3 classes per week), 10 students maximum per class, open studio time all week round. Minimum course duration is 1 trimester, maximum course duration are 3 trimesters + specialization.

ONE-YEAR ACADEMIC PROGRAM OF PHOTOGRAPHY

BASIC LEVEL - INTRODUCTION TO CLASSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
Duration: 3 months - Hours in total: 120 - Hours per month: 40 - Hours per week: 10

A short history of Art and history of photography. What photography is and how it was born, history of photography technology from film to camera. How a camera works, which kind of camera is best to buy, how to use a camera and for what purposes. Lenses and the study of perspective, films and formats. The study of the visual perception.
Study of the light and the right exposure. Exposing without a lightmeter. Understanding the light without the use of any instrument. Working in darkroom: a complete study on enlarger, negative and black and white print. The negative processing, making the contact sheet and developing prints. Composition, style and use of light will also be discussed with particular attention to the great masters of photography. Practical field shooting, visits of exhibitions and museums. Making the basic portfolio.


INTERMEDIATE LEVEL - BLACK&WHITE AND FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY
Duration: 3 months - Hours in total: 120 - Hours per month: 40 - Hours per week: 10

Printing on baryta papers and the Fine Art print. Study of warm tone and cold tone papers. Black & white creative techniques for in the field and in the darkroom: filter use, flash lighting, burning, dodging, archival processes, print toning, bleaching, use of normal and finegrainer developers. The Zone System. The use of a lightmeter. Incident and reflective readings. Study on contrast and push/pull processes. Use of artificial and flash lighting: on location techniques. Medium format cameras: when, how and why to use them.
Communication, visualization and aesthetic: conceiving a personal style; study of the great masters of photography and of the photographic concepts of nowadays and of the past. Study of historical concepts of Surrealism, Humanism, Neorealism, American Realism. Approaching an assignment: practical field shooting, indoor shooting, nocturnal photography; the intermediate portfolio.


ADVANCED LEVEL - COLOUR AND DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND STUDIO TECHNIQUES
Duration: 3 months - Hours in total: 120 - Hours per month: 40 - Hours per week: 10

Conceiving a personal approach to the photographic medium. Communication, visualization and aesthetics with the analysis of the great masters of fashion photography, commercial photography and art photography. Photography techniques for the studio. Studio lighting and equipment. Shooting in studio. Conceiving artistic techniques for commercial photography. Colour shooting: study on colour, use of materials and correct light. Colour printing: theory of colours, use of printing equipment and materials. Creative colour techniques: cross processes, Polaroid, image transfer and emulsion transfer with Polaroid films. Introduction to digital systems and image post production. Complete study on large format camera: how to use it and for what purposes. The photographic market and its commercial applications: planning works, exhibitions, books. Practical field shooting. Carrying out an assignment: making the final advanced portfolio.

MASTER COURSE OF GEOGRAPHICAL, SOCIAL AND TRAVEL PHOTOJOURNALISM:DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE
The scope of this course is to explore the psychological and physical preparation and the attitude of the photographer for travel reportage. Extreme atmospheres, difficult weather and working conditions, and sparseness of communication are some of the problematic aspects to analyze in order better to prepare the fundamental techniques of photographic equipment usage. The classes will also consider all of the elements that compose a photo-reportage for editorial purposes: landscapes, architecture, portraits, social life, culture, flora and fauna. The study of light, the composition of the image, the choice of subject, how to approach difficult subjects, photography with mixed light, night-time shooting and aerial photos will be the main topics of discussion. The course will include slideshows to support the theoretical part and by the end of the stage students will be required to present their own reportage. For this reason the course include some field trips in Tuscany with the goal of experiencing and directly managing a travel reporting.

PREREQUISITES
At least a SLR camera (digital is bbetter) with a seiers of lenses (i.e. 24-70 and 70-200). Advanced level photography knowledge is a mandatory requirement.

SHORT, INTENSIVE COURSE:COURSE DESCRIPTION

Short course is conceived to allow you to attend a monthly period of study. Our programs start every month with all levels. You can start whenever you like and you can attend our program for as many months as you like. Intensive course can be attended from a minumum of one month and the study can be quitted at the end of each month. Short Program's main goal is to lead you into the profession of photographer having fun with photography.
The program is of a high standard, starting right away from the basic classes, and it is conceived to give you the highest level of knowledge about light, lighting and composition. For example, from the very first lesson you will learn how to shoot without the help of a lightmeter, then you will study basics of photography history and you will deepen your technique and your style. Digital technologies, lighting and professional processing systems used in professional applications will be studied during the whole course.
Basic class prepares you on use of camera and lenses and on developing and printing processes. Black and White is a fundamental. You can deepen communication, style and creativity, with the intermediate classes, beside obtaining more black and white creative techniques for in the field and in the darkroom. During that time you will be introduced to the study of the main photographic concepts of the past. Advanced level class prepares you to professional analogical and digital techniques of shooting and image processing. In this level you will work with professional studio systems, color photography and you will conceive your personal style. An analysis of concepts of contemporary photography will improve your personal aesthetics. During the course you will be asked to carry out several assignments which will become portfolios useful for your future professional career.

PREREQUISITES

No knowledge of Italian is required. No Italian language course is rquired. No entry requirements are asked for Basic Level; to entry Intermediate or Advanced Levels you should present a personal portfolio in which you show your technical and aesthetic preparation. Special classes are multilevel and tailored to the individual student.
Schedule: 40 hours of class per month (3 classes per week), 10 students maximum per class, open studio time all week round. Minimum course duration is 1 month, maximum course duration are 9 months + master or specialization.

SHORT PROGRAM OF PHOTOGRAPHY

BASIC LEVEL - (40, 80 or 120 hours+free darkroom time)
A short history of Art and history of photography. What photography is and how it was born, history of photography technology from film to camera. How a camera works, which kind of camera is best to buy, how to use a camera and for what purposes. Lenses and the study of perspective, films and formats. The study of the visual perception.
Study of the light and the right exposure. Exposing without a lightmeter. Understanding the light without the use of any instrument. Working in darkroom: a complete study on enlarger, negative and black and white print. The negative processing, making the contact sheet and developing prints. Composition, style and use of light will also be discussed with particular attention to the great masters of photography. Practical field shooting, visits of exhibitions and museums. Making the basic portfolio.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL - (40, 80 or 120 hours+free darkroom time)
Printing on baryta papers and the Fine Art print. Study of warm tone and cold tone papers. Black & white creative techniques for in the field and in the darkroom: filter use, flash lighting, burning, dodging, archival processes, print toning, bleaching, use of normal and finegrainer developers. The Zone System. The use of a lightmeter. Incident and reflective readings. Study on contrast and push/pull processes. Use of artificial and flash lighting: on location techniques. Medium format cameras: when, how and why to use them.
Communication, visualization and aesthetic: conceiving a personal style; study of the great masters of photography and of the photographic concepts of nowadays and of the past. Study of historical concepts of Surrealism, Humanism, Neorealism, American Realism. Approaching an assignment: practical field shooting, indoor shooting, nocturnal photography; the intermediate portfolio.

ADVANCED LEVEL - (40, 80 or 120 hours+free darkroom time)
Conceiving a personal approach to the photographic medium. Communication, visualization and aesthetics with the analysis of the great masters of fashion photography, commercial photography and art photography. Photography techniques for the studio. Studio lighting and equipment. Shooting in studio. Conceiving artistic techniques for commercial photography. Colour shooting: study on colour, use of materials and correct light. Colour printing: theory of colours, use of printing equipment and materials. Creative colour techniques: cross processes, Polaroid, image transfer and emulsion transfer with Polaroid films. Introduction to digital systems and image post production. Complete study on large format camera: how to use it and for what purposes. The photographic market and its commercial applications: planning works, exhibitions, books. Practical field shooting. Carrying out an assignment: making the final advanced portfolio.

COMBINED PHOTOGRAPHY AND ITALIAN LANGUAGE STUDY / INTERNSHIPS:In cooperation with Europass Centro Studi Europeo, Italian Language School, TheDarkroom offers students the opportunity to combine photography courses with Italian language courses and Internship Program with Photography+Italian Courses, suitable for those who intend to make a working experience abroad.

PREREQUISITES:
None. No knowledge of Italian is required. No Italian language course is rquired.

PHOTOGRAPHY+ITALIAN
This program provides students with language courses in the morning and photography lessons in the afternoon.
1. Intensive Photography+Italian Course
2. Academic Photography+Italian Course

INTERNSHIP
This program has been conceived to offer young people the opportunity to gain working experience abroad, thereby getting in closer contact with the cultural and social life of our country, so as to reach a higher linguistic and photography knowledge. The program includes the attendance of a language preparatory course of at least 4 weeks, a photography course of 36 weeks and an unpaid internship experience in an accurately selected Italian company.
Lenght: 4, 8, 12 weeks and more (max 6 months)
Location: Florence area
Period: throughout the year apart from august and december
Fields are Graphic Design and photography studios;
To participate in this Internship Program, candidates must:
- have a diploma of high school or a university degree
- send TheDarkroom their CV plus a brief motivations letter
- complete a minimum 4-weeks Italian Language Preparatory Course
- complete a minimum 36-weeks Photography Course
In order to parteciparte in an Internship Photography Program Course, students must complete an Intensive or Academic Photography Course of at least 36 weeks. Photography + Italian Academic Courses start in October and end in June. Please note that Academic Courses payment must be completed before the course beginning.

SUMMER COURSES:PREREQUISITES

No knowledge of Italian is required. No Italian language course is rquired. No entry requirements are asked for Basic Level; to entry Intermediate or Advanced Levels you should present a personal portfolio in which you show your technical and aesthetic preparation. Special classes are multilevel and tailored to the individual student.
Schedule: 40 hours of class per month (3 classes per week), 10 students maximum per class, open studio time 24/7. Minimum course duration is 1 month, maximum course duration are 9 months + master or specialization.

SUMMER PROGRAM OF PHOTOGRAPHY

BASIC LEVEL - (40, 80 or 120 hours+free darkroom time)
A short history of Art and history of photography. What photography is and how it was born, history of photography technology from film to camera. How a camera works, which kind of camera is best to buy, how to use a camera and for what purposes. Lenses and the study of perspective, films and formats. The study of the visual perception.
Study of the light and the right exposure. Exposing without a lightmeter. Understanding the light without the use of any instrument. Working in darkroom: a complete study on enlarger, negative and black and white print. The negative processing, making the contact sheet and developing prints. Composition, style and use of light will also be discussed with particular attention to the great masters of photography. Practical field shooting, visits of exhibitions and museums. Making the basic portfolio.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL - (40, 80 or 120 hours+free darkroom time)
Printing on baryta papers and the Fine Art print. Study of warm tone and cold tone papers. Black & white creative techniques for in the field and in the darkroom: filter use, flash lighting, burning, dodging, archival processes, print toning, bleaching, use of normal and finegrainer developers. The Zone System. The use of a lightmeter. Incident and reflective readings. Study on contrast and push/pull processes. Use of artificial and flash lighting: on location techniques. Medium format cameras: when, how and why to use them.
Communication, visualization and aesthetic: conceiving a personal style; study of the great masters of photography and of the photographic concepts of nowadays and of the past. Study of historical concepts of Surrealism, Humanism, Neorealism, American Realism. Approaching an assignment: practical field shooting, indoor shooting, nocturnal photography; the intermediate portfolio.

ADVANCED LEVEL - (40, 80 or 120 hours+free darkroom time)
Conceiving a personal approach to the photographic medium. Communication, visualization and aesthetics with the analysis of the great masters of fashion photography, commercial photography and art photography. Photography techniques for the studio. Studio lighting and equipment. Shooting in studio. Conceiving artistic techniques for commercial photography. Colour shooting: study on colour, use of materials and correct light. Colour printing: theory of colours, use of printing equipment and materials. Creative colour techniques: cross processes, Polaroid, image transfer and emulsion transfer with Polaroid films. Introduction to digital systems and image post production. Complete study on large format camera: how to use it and for what purposes. The photographic market and its commercial applications: planning works, exhibitions, books. Practical field shooting. Carrying out an assignment: making the final advanced portfolio.