Photography
Program
The Department offers Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees with an emphasis in Photography. The MFA is a three-year program, headed by Charles Mason, Professor of Photography in Art and Journalism Departments. The degree draws from the rich field of contemporary art photography as a lens-based medium open to various expressive modes of image-making. Classes are structured around the production of cohesive photographic projects and exhibitions, editing, and final presentation. Darkroom, studio, and computer facilities are provided. Students receive technical instruction in digital and analog image production as well as non-silver and alternative photographic processes.
Selected Student Work
Degrees
Degrees offered through the Photograhy program include:
-Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
-Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
-Minor in Photography
Facilities
Student Clubs
Faculty
Charles Mason
Professor of Photography
Bunnell 105B
Charles Mason's photographs and photo essays have won numerous international, national and regional awards, including the Oskar Barnack Award at the World Press Photo Competition in Amsterdam and awards at the National Press Photographers Association's Pictures of the Year. His documentary and art photographs have been in many solo and juried shows throughout Alaska and in California, Illinois and Virginia.
Mason covers Alaska for the Corbis photo agency in New York/Seattle, and is represented by Tony Stone Images/Getty in Seattle/London. His work has appeared in LIFE, Time, Newsweek, Outside, Aperture, The New York Times and GEO. He also has published two children's books, including the award-winning A Child's Alaska. Other books include collaborations with writer Jennifer Brice (The Last Settlers, a black-and-white documentary project on the last federal homesteaders); writer Patti Clayton (Connection on the Ice, about the 1988 Barrow, Alaska, whale rescue); and writer Sherry Simpson (The Way Winter Comes, cover and illustrations).
Jason Lazarus
Term Instructor of Photography
Bunnell 114
Jason Lazarus provides our technology-dependent department with its life support, keeping our computers, cameras, recorders, microphones, printers and all the rest of our gear in operating condition. He is a graduate of our very own department, with a degree in Photojournalism. Jason has been with us since 2004, taking over the management of our computer labs and traditional darkrooms. Since 2005, he's served as an adjunct (and recently as term instructor) for the department teaching both film and digital versions of our photography courses and had developed courses in Alternative and Historical Photo Processes. His hobbies range from vintage video games to exploring abandoned mines and dredges. He has a lovely wife, Deanna, and a 11-year old son named Aidan.