Line of Sight: Photographic Visual Literacy - Spring 2026

In this age of lightning-fast dissemination of information and AI, the physical and digital worlds we currently occupy are now saturated with images to an historically unprecedented degree. The ability to interpret and critically evaluate visual information—what we call ‘visual literacy’—is more imperative than ever. Photographers, as visual communicators and image-makers, bear a responsibility to understand their contribution to this evolving landscape, especially since photography can no longer, and arguably never could, lay claim to representing objective truth.

Line of Sight: Photographic Visual Literacy is an intermediate survey class for photographic artists, built upon two core premises: that the camera is not neutral, and being a viewer is not passive. Participating students will spend the quarter interrogating these beliefs (and many more); engaging basic methods for looking at and perceiving photographs; and cultivating better awareness of the context in which one both views and makes images.

This class will include lectures, readings, discussions, assignments, and field trips, so students may gain a deeper understanding of what it means to see. In an effort to balance its theoretical components, the class will also include practical tips and takeaways for students to apply to their own photographic work and creative practices. *Please note that the course will include one field trip outside our normal meeting time, exact date TBD.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Learn to effectively speak and write about your work, your peers’ work, and photography at large.
• Develop a better understanding of the structural and conceptual components of a photograph.
• Broaden your vocabulary of visual perception.
• Engage with fundamentals of various photographic philosophies.
• Offer practical skills for considering the impacts of editing and sequencing, as well as connections between multiple photographs.

COURSE OUTCOMES

• Understand the difference between looking, perceiving, and seeing.
• Understand and articulate what kind of photographs you make and what they do.
• Increase familiarity with case-study photographers, as well as photographic theorists and philosophies.
• Increase awareness of the importance of visual literacy in our current place in the time-space continuum.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR STUDENTS

• Weekly attendance is vital to student success in PCNW courses. We require that students attend the first meeting in order to retain their spot in the class. A waiver may be granted if permission is given by, and subsequent arrangements made with, both the PCNW Registrar and Faculty. Please see our Education Policies for details about attendance policies and academic expectations.
• PCNW adheres to a strict payment, cancellation and refund policy. Please review our Payment & Refund Policies prior to registration.
• Additional materials and supplies, not covered by a materials fee for a course, are the responsibility of the student. Detailed information about course expectations, required texts and materials will be provided at the start of the quarter.
• Students should prepare to spend several hours per week completing assignments outside of class, which may require use of the PCNW facilities; view our Rental Rates for details about additional fees. Rental fees for use of PCNW Facilities are a separate cost from tuition.

Images © Rachel Demy