Rochester Institute of Technology - School of Photographic Arts and Sciences

Select Departmental News for a few informal tidbits of recent departmental history or click on Send me Printed Information to request printed materials.

Imaging and Photographic Technology is a unique major in photography. It blends a contemporary professional photography program with specialized education in technical, industrial and scientific imaging applications. This is an applications -and technology- oriented photography program designed to prepare students primarily for work in a technical, corporate, industrial, or scientific environment. You can examine the outline of the current program requirements by selecting Program Outline and this is a historical record of How the IPT program came to be.

Graduates of this program are well rounded individuals, with a background adaptable to a variety of photography and imaging related fields. Their technical skills are complemented by traditional coursework in mathematics, computers, science and liberal arts, including technical writing.

The picture making aspects of photography are covered through basic and advanced courses in traditional and digital photography, color photography and printing, multimedia and video production, etc. The required technical courses include photographic sensitometry and tone reproduction, optics and chemistry, IDL programming, computer systems, color measurement, and high speed photography. Also available within the departmental offerings are a variety of technical and photographic electives such as Holography, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Architectural Photography, Nature Photography, Special Effects Photography and Photoinstrumentation Applications.

Select the thumbnail image to the left to see a larger version of this Schlieren photograph made in the High Speed Photography class of the shock waves associated with the compression of air in front of a supersonic bullet. Or, click on animation to see this action in motion.

See a bunch of Techs in a Photographic Chemistry laboratory or see freshmen toiling in a Materials and Processes shutter testing lab. Here are some SEMs (Scanning Electron Micrographs) and a couple of small Exhibits of Photographs by first year students in 1999 and 2002 and one with an architecture based theme in 2005.

Career and Applications oriented Professional education

The multidisciplinary coursework completed by graduates of the program allows them to obtain a variety of positions in the field of imaging and color technology, digital and silver-based photography, technical and scientific photography and imaging applications engineering. In their last two years students may specialize in an individualized Concentration Track that might include photographic instrumentation, optics, graphic arts, imaging chemistry, motion picture and video, still photography, color science, processing and finishing, business, and science and engineering.

Select the thumbnail image at right to see an enlarged image of Crystal Embrey, a former Tech student, having a bit of fun on the famed NASA Vomit Comet. Choose Microgravity Project to see more pictures and read about how she and three other Photo Tech students got on the plane in the first place.

It is important to note that while the core program completed by each graduate is similar, the actual background of the students varies with their choice of Concentration area(s). As a result, it is difficult to define specifically the exact career path that the students are preparing for. On the other hand, an examination of the positions secured by graduates of the program shows that the broad based education associated with the Imaging and Photographic Technology program allows them to consider a large variety of career options in the broad discipline of imaging, photography, color and graphic arts related fields. To see business cards of a few graduates of the program follow this link to Business Cards

While the Imaging and Photographic Technology program is not exactly one that prepares its graduates to work as journeymen photographers it is sobering to read about the outlook for photographers as prepared by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in their Occupational Outlook Handbook. As one examines this website further it becomes obvious that the expectations and achievements of the Imaging and Photographic Technology graduates are significantly higher than that predicted for photographers by the Bureau. Check the Tech Graduates and Employment Stats file!.

Select the thumbnail image at left to see an enlarged version of this photograph of two Tech students hamming it up for the camera. It was taken during an underwater photography class which is part of the photoinstrumentation seminar.

Again, to see a listing of all graduates of the Imaging and Photographic Technology program (along with summary salary information included at the bottom of this file) simply click on Gradjobs here!

Cooperative Education and Placement

A unique feature of the Imaging and Photographic Technology program is that graduates complete at least two required Cooperative Education work blocks prior to graduation.

Graduates can function as application engineers in a number of imaging related disciplines, or as photographic technologists or research associates in various industrial, scientific, or business organizations. They also qualify as skilled studio or laboratory assistants in industrial and commercial enterprises. Imaging and Photographic Technology graduates are working in photographic and related industries nationwide. They are employed by such corporations as Polaroid, Eastman Kodak, NASA-Johnson, NASA-Glenn and NASA-Ames, Sandia, Popular Photography, Hallmark Cards, TGS Corp., Sinar Bron, Agfa, Fairchild, White Sands Missile Range, Analex, DuPont, Fuji, Iris Graphics, General Electric, FBI, Naval Surface Weapons Center, Calumet, DS America, Milton Roy, Ilford, the Defense Intelligence Agency, Konica, US Treasury, Labsphere, National Geographic and many other industrial, government and corporate concerns.

To see a listing of students and the companies that they are completeing cooperative employment with during the Summer of 2001 click on 2001 Coops

If you are interested in possibly hiring a current student looking for a coop or paid intern position, a graduating student ready for full-time employment or a graduate who is looking for new opportunities, check out a website where several students have included information about their background and aspirations. Choose Situations Wanted!.

Select Lisa Vasaturo to connect with the Imaging and Photographic Technology's representative at the Cooperative Education and Placement Office at RIT. Whether you are a student seeking assistance or an employer looking for an Imaging and Photographic Technology student for a coop or full-time position she can be of enormous help. Choose the following link to obtain a PDF pamphlet she has prepared to assist employers with a more complete description of the Tech Coop program

And here is a form you can fill out right now! if you'd like to offer an opportunity for an interview to an Imaging and Photographic Technology student. You can use it for either Coop or Full-time positions anywhere in the US, or even overseas.

And this is a note intended for current students who need info about how to register with the coop and placement office as well as the RIT Registrar. If you forgot to register before taking the coop position and you are no longer in Rochester, you can register with the coop office on line. Go to http://www.rit.edu/co-op/careers and click on "students and alumni", in the left hand column you will see "got a co-op job? register here" and the rest is up to you. In terms of registering with the RIT registrar you can do that remotely as well as you would normally register for a course, the course # is: 2076-499-01

Dr. Ronald Francis Scholarships

Dr. Ronald Francis was a faculty member in the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences. He established the Dr. Ronald Francis Photographic Chemistry Laboratory and a fund from which fourteen $5,000 scholarships are awarded annually to Imaging and Photographic Technology students on the basis of excellence in academic performance and scholarship. To learn more about these scholarships choose Dr. Ronald Francis Scholarships

If you would like to add to the endowment established in memory of Dr. Francis, who had a special interest in photographic chemistry, or start an endowment or scholarship program of your own, or simply make a contribution of any kind (including equipment) to the Department, these will all be gratefully accepted. Please contact the Department through its Chairman, Prof. Andrew Davidhazy.

Beyond the special Dr. Francis Scholarships there are other scholarships available through the RIT Financial Aid Office. Information about these is made available to you as part of the application process and also if you specifically request financial aid and/or additional scholarship information.

There are also photographic societies that offer scholarships in the fields covered by the Imaging and Photographic Technology program. Among these you will find the Raymond Davis Scholarship offered by the Society for Imaging Science and Technology. To obtain a PDF formatted application form click here.

Transfering into the IPT program

It is possible to transfer into the program. In fact, this program has a high proportion of transfer students. The best time to transfer into the program is in the Summer or the Fall. Courses completed at accredited Community Colleges or Universities can reduce the time it takes to finish this program or at least provide additional time that a student can devote to studies or coop experiences.

If you are contemplating transfer, it is recommended that you prepare by taking courses in basic Calculus, Physics and other science courses, Computer Programming and Liberal Arts. Unless you complete a very strong program in photography elsewhere and it is oriented towards studio skills and general commercial or industrial photography, probably any other photo courses would not transfer. In order to transfer photography course credits, a transcript and a comprehensive portfolio demonstrating the skills mentioned above must be submitted to the department chair for evaluation.

In the summer we have available a 11 week long Summer Transfer Program that consists of the 9 credit Materials and Processes of Photography course in condensed version. In addition, for those transfer students needing our Photography 1 course, we hace this available as a 9 credit course that substitutes for our year-long Photo 1 course. The deficiency in credit hours is made up from courses brought in by the transfer student or they are applied to their Open Electives.

Consult the department chair, Prof Andrew Davidhazy andpph@rit.edu for details.

TPSA

The Technical Photography Student Association promotes professionalism among students and interaction with the imaging and photographic technology industry. The association regularly invites professionals in the field to RIT for lectures and demonstrations.

The TPSA organized a field trip to the Kennedy Space Center and members of the group were allowed to install several cameras at a remote site within a 1/4 mile from the launch pad of STS-31, the Endeavour. One of their cameras, automatically triggered by the thundering roar of the Shuttle engines, captured this image of the take-off (select the thumbnail image to see it larger).

Imaging and Photographic Technology Faculty

The members of the Imaging and Photographic Technology faculty represent a wide range of interests and specialties. They deliver all core courses required in the program plus add diversity by presenting also a number of elective courses designed to serve both the department as well as the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences student body as a whole.

The fundamental course that deals with the technical aspects of photography, and that is taken by all photography students in the School durinbg their 1st year, is team taught by several members of the department under the direction and guidance of Nanette Salvaggio. In addition, Prof. Glenn Miller teaches in the areas of color theory and perception, color printing, and color measurement, Prof. Nitin Sampat specializes and teaches in the fields of Imaging Systems, Color Management, Digital Image Processing, and related areas, while Prof. Stephen Diehl is a highly respected nature photographer and also teaches the year-long Photography One course offered to first year students. Prof. Andrew Davidhazy teaches courses related to high speed photography, photoinstrumentation and special effects.

The photographs and names of the members of the department are all linked to each faculty member's departmental website.

Glenn Miller email: gcmpph@rit.edu	Nitin Sampat email: nxspph@rit.edu	Nanette Salvaggio email: nlspph@rit.edu	Steve Diehl email: swdpph@rit.edu	Andrew Davidhazy email: andpph@rit.edu

Several adjunct faculty also contribute to the Department teaching specialty courses. Dr. Scott Williams teaches Scanning Electron Microscopy, Mr. Terry Kessler of the UR Laser Lab teaches Holography, Mr. Paul Schwartz, retired from Eastman Kodak, teaches Photographic Chemistry and Historic Photographic Processes, Mr. Leo O'Neill, retired from Eastman Kodak, teaches Photographic Optics and Mr. Don Lehmbeck, retired from Xerox, teaches Sensitometry and Digital Tone reproduction.

Beyond the faculty associated with the Department, the students have access to the rest of the 35 full time and over 25 adjunct faculty of the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences who work in the several distinctive departments and programs comprising the School.

Beyond the School, within the same College, students also can easily interact with the faculty, facilities and programs of the School of Print Media and those of the Center for Imaging Science in the College of Science.

Departmental Informational Files

• PROGRAM OUTLINE : Imaging and Photo Technology Program Outline
  
• LISTING of COURSES : Imaging and Photo Tech course descriptions
  
• COURSE OUTLINES : outlines for several courses offered by the Department
  
• COURSE NUMBERS: course numbers
  
• PROGRAM WORKSHEET: Academic Progress file to track of courses, grades, etc.
  
• CONCENTRATIONS: Tech concentration guidelines
  
• SCHEDULE of COURSES: schedule of Tech courses in upcoming quarters
  
• CURRENT STUDENTS LIST: program's students list w/usernames & phone #s
  
• PAST GRADUATES RESUMES: past grads looking for new opportunities
  
• GRADUATES' JOBS and EMAILS: listing of where Tech grads are working + salary + contact info
  
• GRADUATES SURVEY: Grads current salaries and program satisfaction
  
• TPSA: Technical Photography Student Association file
  
• LIST of SUPPLIES: Computer & Photo Equipment for Tech Students
  
• HELP: person who can help you with IPT program
  
• Dr. Ronald Francis Scholarships: details on this Scholarship for IPT students
  
• Materials and Processes for Fun: funny, bogus Materials and Processes projects
  
• Student Web Pages: Current Tech students' and Tech graduates' web pages.
  
• (Tech) Photo 1 mini-show 1999: First Year student photographs
  
• (Tech) Photo 1 mini-show 2002: First Year student photographs
  
• Gallery of Student Work: Individual Photographs, Technical Reports, etc.
  
• Send me printed information: to request a catalogue and admissions information.
  

Further information and Interesting possibility

If you think this program may be of interest to you as a future student or an employer of its graduates, contact the Tech Department and ask to be placed on the interdepartmental e-mail distribution list. This way you can get an "inside" look at the educational and social activities within the department.

Select TECHLINKS for links to sites related to the field of study covered by the Imaging and Photographic Technology program.