The photography area provides artists with a clear understanding of the photography medium by exposing the various practices and intellectual positions available, ranging from documentary and representational traditions, to digital photography and new media. Beginning courses provide a technical and conceptual background upon which to build a viable and engaging photographic practice within an art context. Introductions to basic 35mm-camera functions as well as black-and-white analogue procedures are the main technical emphases of the course. In addition to learning to make photographs, courses ask: What is a photographic practice within an art context Students address what it means to critically evaluate one's own photographs and those of others within an art context.