CDS2533 Photographic art direction
Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture
CDS2533 Photographic art direction is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Caulfield. It needs CDS1001, DGN1000 or COL1001.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Caulfield
- Assessment
- No exam
- 2 tasks
The 2027 handbook has no page for CDS2533. This is its 2025 entry, the latest one.
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Requisites
Before CDS2533
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
Corequisites
Pass these before, or take them in the same semester.
After CDS2533
No unit lists CDS2533 as a prerequisite in the 2025 handbook.
Overview
Photographic art direction will develop your skills in your ability to manipulate and control photographic imagery via a sound understanding of digital camera technology, its associated software and studio lighting. It will build upon the foundation knowledge of photography gained as part of DGN1000 / COL1001.
This unit will expose you to the processes involved in the documentation of your own work, product photography, and other situations that require a sound knowledge of the photographic experience and how best to creatively negotiate its outcome. You will become adept at being able to intuitively and creatively direct the narrative of a photograph through a competent use of language, composition, timing, light, props and camera technology.
You will explore the potential of the camera in both studio and outdoor settings, and begin to understand the scope of creative possibilities and challenges each circumstance offers. You will be exposed to the work of leading exponents of the practice, both contemporary and historic. This unit will be of particular interest if you are wishing to document folio content as well as if you are wanting to pursue a design career in advertising and marketing.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Caulfield | On campus |
| Second semester | Caulfield | On campus |
Assessment
- Project 1Project40%
- Project 2Project60%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Understand key aspects of digital camera technology and its associated software;
- 2
Recognise the value of lighting, props, timing and exposure in the direction of a photographic outcome;
- 3
Create a number of photographic outcomes that use both studio lighting and natural lighting in their creation;
- 4
Direct and edit the narrative of a photograph through use of language, composition, timing, light, props and camera technology;
- 5
Discuss the value photographic art direction plays in the realm of communication design production.
Workload and teaching
- Studio activities36 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
- Teaching approachCase-based teaching
12 hours per week including 3 contact hours plus 9 hours of independent study.
Where it fits
CDS2533 is part of 1 area of study in the 2025 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Vincent Dziekan
- Mr Ned Culic
- Unit Coordinators
- Mr Ned Culic
- Ms Mel Coombes
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for CDS2533?
You need CDS1001, DGN1000 or COL1001 before you enrol; and OHS1000 before or alongside it.
When is CDS2533 offered?
In 2025, CDS2533 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Caulfield.
Does CDS2533 have an exam?
No. CDS2533 has 2 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include CDS2533?
CDS2533 is part of Design.