About this course: Although taking, sharing, and viewing photographs has become second nature for many of us, our regular engagement with images does not necessarily make us visually literate. This course aims to address the gap between seeing and truly understanding photographs by introducing a diversity of ideas, approaches, and technologies that inform their making. In this course you will look closely at photographs from the collection of The Museum of Modern Art and hear a variety of perspectives on what a photograph is and the ways that photography has been used throughout its nearly 180 year history: as a means of artistic expression, as a tool for science and exploration; as an instrument of documentation; to tell stories and record histories; and as a mode of communication and critique in our ever increasingly visual culture. Learning Objectives • Develop skills to better examine and understand the differences between photographs and photographic images. • Discover how context influences the production, circulation, and reception of photographic images. • Learn about different modes of artistic and technological experimentation and innovation in photography. • Investigate photography’s role in our increasingly visual culture.
Who is this class for: This course, aimed at a general audience interested in photography, is designed to help build skills in looking critically at photographs. No prior knowledge of studio photography or history of photography is required. Please note, this course does not address technical skills for making or editing photographs.
Taught by: Sarah Meister, Curator
Department of Photography
| Commitment | 6 weeks of study, 1-2 hours/week |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Italian, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified) |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.
Wonderful course, I loved every single lectures. Thank you!
Really interesting and filled with hints to go deeper into Photography even after the course is concluded.
Excellent course, which encouraged me to travel to the USA to visit MoMA!
Coursera provides universal access to the world’s best education, partnering with top universities and organizations to offer courses online.
unicamente te enseña la vision de los operadores y marco historico me ubiese gustado que explique mas las tecnicas fotograficas