Course Overview

This six-week class provides a broad introductory view of photographic theory. The course examines the shifting attitudes towards photography’s artistic, cultural, and technological status, discussing key texts and how they continue to inform our understanding of the medium. The group will survey various attempts at locating photography’s historical origins and engage with the issues driving contemporary scholarship. Through lectures, weekly readings, group discussions, and short writing exercises, participants will develop a deeper insight into the trajectory of photographic practices and gain essential resources for developing their own theoretical toolkit. 

If your desired tuition option is unavailable, please email info@penumbrafoundation.org and we will do our best to accommodate you. If the entire class is sold out, we can add you to the waitlist.

Curious about Membership? Click here to learn more about member benefits.

Image © Alan Huck

Alan Huck is an artist and educator based in Chicago. He received his MFA from the University of Hartford and leads the Writing and the Photographic Image program at the International Center of Photography.

A minimum of three students is required for all courses to run. In most cases, our registration deadline is 24 hrs prior to the start time of a workshop/class. If there is a workshop/class you would like to register for but it is not listed or if you have questions, please contact griffin@penumbrafoundation.org.

Please review our Education & Refund Policies