The Photography area in SADAH at JMU offers an experimental, interdisciplinary approach to image making for students who want to think deeply, work with their hands, and actively shape the future of visual culture. Students friction‑maxx their learning through material‑intensive practices using 35 mm and large format film cameras, enlarging silver gelatin based black and white prints in a darkroom, and exploring hand-applied emulsions in alternative processes like cyanotypes and anthotypes. Students also engage in advanced digital processes, including large‑format archival pigment printing, digital image editing and manipulations, and AI‑assisted image generation.
Photography Area Overview
Grounded in both tradition and innovation, the Photo program emphasizes the interplay between craft, material, and content, treating process itself as a form of critical inquiry. Alongside technical fluency, students develop essential 21st‑century soft skills of creativity, problem solving, adaptability, critical thinking, collaboration, and resilience by navigating open‑ended projects that demand experimentation, resourcefulness, and conceptual rigor. Students are encouraged to take risks and develop work informed by personal experience, historical research, and theoretical frameworks.
With a rotating selection of intermediate and advanced courses each semester, students work closely with faculty in a studio environment that prioritizes mentorship, curiosity, and sustained investigation. The program is ideal for students who are interested in art as a way of thinking, questioning, and engaging meaningfully with the world. Our goal is to graduate artists who are not only technically and conceptually skilled, but who are imaginative, adaptable thinkers prepared to move fluidly across creative fields and evolving careers.
Facilities
The photo facilities are located in Memorial Hall Arts Complex, located behind the Eagle Field Stadium in Veterans Memorial Park. The studios are well equipped to support a varied and creative approach to the use of photographic processes, including digital, traditional, and alternative process photography, photographic mixed media, lens-less photography, and lens-based media such as video.
There is a black and white darkroom for traditional, experimental and large format photography; an exposing and printing space for alternative processes; a digital lab with scanners and both desktop and large format archival pigment printers; and, a finishing room with drying racks and cabinets, mat cutters, and a drymount press.
A general classroom provides group learning and critique space. A variety of cameras, including large format, digital and toy cameras, lighting units, and other equipment are available for checkout.
Hardware and Software Requirements
SADAH's programs require all students to have a laptop computer equipped with and capable of running any necessary software. SADAH considers a laptop an essential tool for total participation in classes and content. Read more about SADAH's hardware and software requirements.
Suggested Specifications
Operating System (OS)
MacOS
Storage (GB)
512GB
Screen Size (IN)
13”
Random Access Memory (RAM)
32GB
Graphics Memory (VRAM)
6GB
Processor (CPU)
M3 pro or Intel 13th Gen i7 / i9
Required Specifications
Operating System (OS)
MacOS or Windows 11
Storage (GB)
512GB
Screen Size (IN)
13”
Random Access Memory (RAM)
16GB
Graphics Memory (VRAM)
4GB
Processor (CPU)
M3 pro or Intel 13th Gen i5
Required Software
Microsoft 365*
Zoom*
*Provided by JMU
Corinne Diop
Graduate Director for Art, Photography Area Head, Coordinator of Art Minor, Professor of Art
Rebecca Silberman
Professor of Art, Photography
