New photography minor to start in 2009, classes already filled

A new minor in photography has been approved for the 2009-10 school year and classes are already packed.

All of the lower division classes are currently booked and many students have been turned away. Currently, there is only a black and white photography class, a photographic exploration class, a color photo class, and a history and contemporary issues in photography class available.

“There seems to be a lot of interest in both the minor and the current courses. All of my classes are full and students have to be turned away,” says Julia Grieve, photography instructor at PSU. “I get at least 10 students a quarter asking me about the possibility of a minor.”

PSU also has no photography major. Some students are unhappy that the new minor will not be offered until two years from now.

“I think the fact that they are adding this minor two years from now is crazy because I’ll be done with school. By then, it is too far away. They made it sound to us like it was going to be next term,” said Carlotta Washington, a PSU photography student in the art department. “I think the fact that a major university such as PSU doesn’t have a photography major or even a minor is the worst thing because photography is one of the fastest growing businesses now.”

The new minor will add four more classes, including a basic photography class, a digital portfolio class, an art history course and a professional practice in photography class.

“There just isn’t enough equipment now. I am grateful that we have a digital lab and a black and white darkroom. However, even with the two facilities combined, even a minor is still not a realistic option at this time,” said Tammi George, an art studies major. “The progression to a minor will encourage students to take photography classes not just as electives, but as classes for their degree.”

Many art students are excited to have the new minor.

“I love that photography can capture the moment that I’m in and just as easily capture the moment that I missed. It is a tangible way to feel my experience and for others to see what I feel,” George said.

Most major universities already offer a minor and major in photography. The University of Oregon offers both a minor, major and has a graduate program in photography. Although, Oregon State University offers electives in photography, there is no undergraduate major, minor or graduate program.

“I love photography, everything about it. It is an expression of self and others, it tells a story, and it is the first thing I think about when I wake up, and before I go to bed it’s all I think about,” said Washington.