The BFA Photography and Video Program at the School of Visual Arts

- [Han] They don't want
you to play it safe. They want you to take risks. They want you to acquire
greater knowledge. And by doing so, you
learn a lot and you get a different perspective towards the world.

(Upbeat music) - One of the characteristics
that really differentiates us from other undergraduate
programs is that we're interested in all possible genres
and styles and practices and functions of photography. We have every possible technological tool that the students need. - We have the newest
equipment, best printers, and we don't have to pay
other than the paper. We have a dark room downstairs.

- [Stephen] As photographic
process becomes more and more digital, a lot of the students
are involved in antique processes done by chromites
and daguerreotypes. We have classes and facilities in that. - Before I think it was
all about still images, but photography is now more
involved in moving images. - A couple of years ago we made the change our students were exploring
video because of the technology that's available to them.

We give the students an
additional tool in terms of their narrative capabilities. It just seemed like the
most exciting thing to do. Some of the students
will be using the medium as a sort of confessional idea. Some of the students will
use photography as a way to promote social change.

Some students will be
interested in photography as a way to enhance an object
and make you want to buy it. The future is in their hands. - Most of the faculty in our department are working professionals. - Gallery owner, director
of magazines, newspapers.

- One of my colleagues
worked for Time magazine and was a photo editor there. - They're all working, they
will help you really pinpoint what you want and how you
want to develop as an artist. And you make connections
through them as well. - When you start being a student here, you're already building your network that is gonna help you get jobs
as soon as you graduate.

- The mentor program I
match each of the students with an individual in the field. Someone who is contributing
to the photographic discourse. And they enter into a mentorship
relationship with them. - This is my second year
working in Switzerland during summer, because of what I've learned here and the connections I've made here.

I grew as a photographer,
as a videographer, but most importantly as an artist..