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CDS2533 is not in the 2027 Handbook - Monash may have renumbered or withdrawn it. This is what the 2025 Handbook published; check the 2027 Handbook or your faculty before planning next year.

Units / CDS2533

CDS2533 · Photographic art direction

Official Handbook

2025 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 2Department of Design

Last checked: 2 Oct 2026 UTC

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

CampusTeaching periodMode
CaulfieldFirst semesterTeaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS)
CaulfieldSecond semesterTeaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS)

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

#AssessmentTypeWeightHurdle
11 - Project 1Project40%—
22 - Project 2Project60%—

100% in-semester assessment

Requisites

Learning outcomes

  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

12 hours per week including 3 contact hours plus 9 hours of independent study.

ActivityDuration
Studio activities36 hours

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