Putting Bristol in the Picture

boomsatsuma launches Documentary Photography and Print degree, in Partnership with The Royal Photographic Society (RPS), September 2021.

Sitting at the heart of Bristol’s artistic hub for photography, in RPS House, this new, future facing degree will look at immersive technologies and forward thinking use of images, combined with traditional documentary and storytelling. This course extends the educational opportunities from the Level 3 Creative Digital Media National Diploma, and has been created with strong foundations in Bristol, for the people of Bristol.

The course opens September 2021, when it will welcome a limited number of developing photography students looking for a different higher education option, with the opportunity to be mentored by award-winning, working photographers.

Course leader Samuel Fordham’s internationally acclaimed photographs have featured in exhibitions, books and installations. He states:

“We are going to be building on traditional techniques and creative approaches to documentary storytelling and giving our students access to multiple platforms to express their creativity. There will be an emphasis on learning in context, professional practice, specialist technical skills and project development. Students will continually work towards physical outputs, which can be shared via different media such as exhibitions, photobooks or local news media.”

Liz Williams, Education Manager at The Royal Photographic Society, says:

“By studying at RPS House, students will gain a unique understanding of the photographic world by engaging directly with us and getting involved with our events programme.”

Other key partnerships within Bristol students will have first had access to will include:

16 Tonne Press – risograph and screen-print specialists, giving practical help in printing and access to specialist equipment

Photographique – film development and fine art printing

St Paul’s Dark Rooms – developing traditional and alternative darkroom processes and techniques