Brooks Institute
Ever since it was established in 1945, Brooks Institute has offered its Professional Photography Program and has upheld its commitment to offer a student friendly learning environment. The basis of all their instructional programs at the Institute is experience. Teachers and students work closely in crucial locations, from classroom to darkroom to digital laboratories, and it is this kind of cooperation that enables the sector to go on producing seasoned professionals in the realm of photography.
The school is in California and has produced some of the best visual artists in the field. Brooks Institute eagerly anticipates adding even more to their ranks. Branching off from the training programs in Photography in the mid-1950's, Brooks Institute introduced the Film and Video Production Program. Because Brooks utilizes the identical practical approach to both teaching and learning, its students are afforded the chance to excel at the art and craft of making films. Their programs are often considered one of the field’s best kept secrets. This is a very popular program that has attracted some real stars in the field. Some of the institute'snotable graduates are: Isidore Mankofsky, Cinematography for The Muppet Movie and Somewhere in Time; Dominick Palmer, Cinematography on the TV series M*A*S*H; Robert Legato, Academy Award winner for Best Effects (Digital Domain) on the movie Titanic, Visual Effects Supervisor for The Aviator; and most recently, graduate Boris Undorf, Best Cinematography at New York’s VisionFest ’04 Festival for Sonata.
The Institute started in the early '90s with an established practice of international documentary expeditions. These type of trips to Africa, China, India, and Southeast Asia were the trailblazers for the Visual Journalism Program. Photojournalism focuses on teaching honest, non-fiction storytelling with cutting edge digital equipment that includes digital still cameras, digital video, and computers. Brooks relies on industry-current digital technology. This is why it is one of the few U.S. all-digital photography programs.
The Brooks Graphic Design curriculum was created as an answer to new media requests. To improve the chances that students will succeed, Brooks offers the opportunity for those who communicate visually to learn skills in a number of disciplines, such as: design, illustration, video and film, writing, and photography.
Professional Photography
Many factors come into play when one attempts to find and capture memorable images. Vision and focus must be maintained, while there must be a creative, swift resolution of difficulties. The Brooks Institute's Professional Photography Program focuses primarily upon students who want to acquire the prerequisite skills for a satisfying and rewarding career in the field of professional photography.
Technical work is founded on hands-on instruction and practice. Brooks offers a master's and bachelor's degree program that includes subjects like Fine Arts and Professional Photography in addition to a number of other areas of study. The Professional Photography area offers six fields where one can concentrate. Brooks offers a large variety of specialized classes that are very popular, including:
- Industrial/Scientific Photography
- Digital Media Photography
- Commercial Photography
- Advertising Photography
- Portraiture
- Digital Imaging Photography
It is of particular note that Brooks includes location assignments in a number of its courses. This practice allows students to get the skills necessary to handle complex problems like harmonizing models, the environment, and equipment to create photographs that are both effective and compelling. Courses may include:
- Undersea Photography
- Travel Photography
- Nature Photography
- Food Photography
- Automotive Photography
- Celebrity Photography
- Zone Photography
- Architecture Photography
In lab assignments, students learn how to alter photographic and digital processes, and finish transforming their creative idea so that they can complete the creation of the photograph. Students can take advanced classes which will help them to advance within their given photographic specialty.