The Gray Clouds Don't Phase Me
As my first semester at RIT comes to a close I can finally discuss my experience and how it compares to what I've previously read about the school.
SPAS: School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
I've read about and visited other schools with photography as a concentration and from what I've seen, none of them can compare to the resources and courses offered here. For example: Materials and Processes of Photography is a required course for all photo freshmen. Since this is a technological school, it's necessary to have a course that utilizes math and science to understand the workings of photography and its tools. And as much as we bitch and whine about how difficult it is, I've learned so much from it. But alas, here is where you weigh your pros and cons. Do you want to be a master of your tools or be able to think as an artist? And the majors within the program are even more concentrated between: Advertising Photography, Photojournalism, Fine Art Photography, Visual Media, Imaging and Photographic Technology, and Biomedical Photographic Communications.
Critiques here are a little weak and aren't really taken that seriously from most of the students. Personally, I find that a bit frustrating when I believe that critiques are crucial to my improvement and other people's. Also with only ten weeks per trimester, it gives us limited time to hone our projects to how we wanted them. I felt like I was just churning out mediocre projects just to get them in on time. In short, this is a technical school not an art school. But a strong technical school, that is. It's also a perk that Rochester is the home of The George Eastman House (pretty much every reference in my History and Aesthetics of Photography book is owned by GEH) and Kodak.
CIAS: College of Imaging Arts and Sciences
As strong as the Photo Department is, the Art department as a whole is even stronger. In fact, the School of Design was named one of the 60 top design schools nationwide by Newsweek Magazine. Among Graphic Design they also have: Industrial Design, Interior Design, Print Media, and New Media. They also offer ceramics, woodworking, and such, and I hope to take at least one class in glassblowing. I don't know that many people in Film and Animation, but it is an extremely tough program to get into. In fact, I do graphic design and promotional work for an award-winning student run sports show called SportsZone, dedicated to the intervarsity athletics at RIT. Yes, it's possible to have a fun on-campus job.
Rochester and RIT Social Life
I go to a dork school. I've come to terms with this. Yes, the majority of the guys here play WoW, own multiple computers, and are socially awkward. But the oodles and oodles of clubs and activities here make up for it. There is always, always something going on. We have numerous sororities, fraternities, and clubs here. I happen to be a member of AIGA, the student chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts. In my opinion, the Student Government does a great job holding events and promoting school pride even though everybody pretty much objects to the school colors: burnt sienna and brown. Also for some reason every so often there will be students in the middle of the quad giving out "Free Hugs". I hug them everytime. It's not for anything in particular, just boosting people's morale. The student publication, The Reporter, is a well written magazine that I also look forward to reading weekly.
Rochester itself is... ugh. It's not Boston. There are few places that will cater to college students, which is a shame since Rochester is home to both RIT and U of R. Yes, it does rain a lot and is frequently cloudy. I have yet to experience the infamous snowstorms, and it's not something I look forward to. But alas, the weather nor the social life is what I came here for.
Also, learn to love Wegmans. It's a three minute drive from campus and open 24 hours. Making your own food is a change from the food on campus. There are a handful of dining halls to choose from on campus, but you get sick of them easily. The good ones will change their menus up daily, specifically the Student Alumni Union. Having a car or at least knowing someone with a car is key to college life (especially when you're a photo student). I personally love going on road-ventures. Toronto is only 2-3 hours from here, so I drove up there with my roommate for a photoshoot.
So that pretty much sums up by first quarter experience at RIT. Hopefully I'll have a followup by third quarter. A lot can change in six months.
SPAS: School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
I've read about and visited other schools with photography as a concentration and from what I've seen, none of them can compare to the resources and courses offered here. For example: Materials and Processes of Photography is a required course for all photo freshmen. Since this is a technological school, it's necessary to have a course that utilizes math and science to understand the workings of photography and its tools. And as much as we bitch and whine about how difficult it is, I've learned so much from it. But alas, here is where you weigh your pros and cons. Do you want to be a master of your tools or be able to think as an artist? And the majors within the program are even more concentrated between: Advertising Photography, Photojournalism, Fine Art Photography, Visual Media, Imaging and Photographic Technology, and Biomedical Photographic Communications.
Critiques here are a little weak and aren't really taken that seriously from most of the students. Personally, I find that a bit frustrating when I believe that critiques are crucial to my improvement and other people's. Also with only ten weeks per trimester, it gives us limited time to hone our projects to how we wanted them. I felt like I was just churning out mediocre projects just to get them in on time. In short, this is a technical school not an art school. But a strong technical school, that is. It's also a perk that Rochester is the home of The George Eastman House (pretty much every reference in my History and Aesthetics of Photography book is owned by GEH) and Kodak.
CIAS: College of Imaging Arts and Sciences
As strong as the Photo Department is, the Art department as a whole is even stronger. In fact, the School of Design was named one of the 60 top design schools nationwide by Newsweek Magazine. Among Graphic Design they also have: Industrial Design, Interior Design, Print Media, and New Media. They also offer ceramics, woodworking, and such, and I hope to take at least one class in glassblowing. I don't know that many people in Film and Animation, but it is an extremely tough program to get into. In fact, I do graphic design and promotional work for an award-winning student run sports show called SportsZone, dedicated to the intervarsity athletics at RIT. Yes, it's possible to have a fun on-campus job.
Rochester and RIT Social Life
I go to a dork school. I've come to terms with this. Yes, the majority of the guys here play WoW, own multiple computers, and are socially awkward. But the oodles and oodles of clubs and activities here make up for it. There is always, always something going on. We have numerous sororities, fraternities, and clubs here. I happen to be a member of AIGA, the student chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts. In my opinion, the Student Government does a great job holding events and promoting school pride even though everybody pretty much objects to the school colors: burnt sienna and brown. Also for some reason every so often there will be students in the middle of the quad giving out "Free Hugs". I hug them everytime. It's not for anything in particular, just boosting people's morale. The student publication, The Reporter, is a well written magazine that I also look forward to reading weekly.
Rochester itself is... ugh. It's not Boston. There are few places that will cater to college students, which is a shame since Rochester is home to both RIT and U of R. Yes, it does rain a lot and is frequently cloudy. I have yet to experience the infamous snowstorms, and it's not something I look forward to. But alas, the weather nor the social life is what I came here for.
Also, learn to love Wegmans. It's a three minute drive from campus and open 24 hours. Making your own food is a change from the food on campus. There are a handful of dining halls to choose from on campus, but you get sick of them easily. The good ones will change their menus up daily, specifically the Student Alumni Union. Having a car or at least knowing someone with a car is key to college life (especially when you're a photo student). I personally love going on road-ventures. Toronto is only 2-3 hours from here, so I drove up there with my roommate for a photoshoot.
So that pretty much sums up by first quarter experience at RIT. Hopefully I'll have a followup by third quarter. A lot can change in six months.
posted at 9:09 PM
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