Summer Course in Contemporary-Photography-and-Visual-Culture - IED Firenze

Language

English

Start date

June 2026

Frequency

Full time

Fruition

On campus

Duration

3 Weeks

Course Coordination

Jean Baptiste Blom

Price

2.800 €

The Contemporary Photography and Visual Culture course provides you with the essential skills and a comprehensive understanding of key concepts in photography, graphic design, and visual communication.

You will enhance your expertise and confidence in the many aspects of photography and visual design. With a deep understanding of photographic techniques, lighting, postproduction, and design principles, you will learn to create compelling visual narratives that engage with contemporary contexts. You will also gain valuable insights into conceptual photography, visual storytelling, and the integration of photography with graphic design. 

During this immersive course, you will explore Renaissance masterpieces and Florence's rich artistic heritage as a source of inspiration to develop a complete photo-graphic project. This project will culminate in the creation of a visually striking poster that synthesizes your creative journey while maintaining a cohesive and contemporary artistic vision. 

Information to decide

Through an in-depth exploration of photographic and design principles, this three-week course equips you with the skills to develop professional photographic projects enriched with conceptual depth and artistic vision. You will also gain valuable insights into areas such as visual storytelling, postproduction, graphic design integration, and the creation of cohesive visual narratives. 

To build a comprehensive knowledge base, the program combines lectures, case studies, workshops, and guided site visits to Florence’s museums and artistic landmarks. These visits are integral to the learning experience, providing inspiration and contextual understanding to complement classroom activities. 

Drawing inspiration from Renaissance masterpieces and Florence’s cultural heritage, you will create a complete photo-graphic project. This project includes developing a visual concept that synthesizes key elements such as photographic composition, graphic design, and narrative cohesion. During the final presentation, projects will be reviewed individually or in groups, emphasizing both technical execution and conceptual depth. 

Lessons are held Monday through Friday on a full-time basis (morning and afternoon), with a total duration of 75 hours spread over 3 weeks. 

The course is designed for students with foundational knowledge or basic professional experience in the field who are looking to enhance their professional skills. Participants should have prior familiarity with photography, graphic design, and editing. 

Faculty

Course Coordinator

Barbel Reinhard

Curator and Artist

Alessandro Galatoli

Photographer

Lucia Minunno

Art historian

Leonardo Pellegatta

Photographer, Filmmaker and Educator

Isabella Ahmadzadeh

Art Director and Visual Designer

Course partner

News

Tres premios a Alumni y estudiantes IED Madrid durante el mes de noviembre: Premio Nacional de Innovacion, Frame Awards & Premio Antalia Decora

28 November 2025

Three awards for IED Madrid alumni and students in November: National Innovation Award, Frame Awards & Antalia Decora

Federico Sáinz de Robles wins the National Innovation Award with his brand Sepiia, while Lucas Muñoz receives the FRAME Editor's Pick mention for his COLAB project for Sancal and Jacobo López del Hierro Llopis wins third prize at Antalia Decora

17 November 2025

IED Barcelona makes the invisible tangible at Mira Digital Arts Festival 2025

The installation “Torbellino”, designed by students from the Master in Design for Interaction and Extended Realities at IED Barcelona, offered an interactive visual spectacle at the digital art and culture festival.

14 November 2025

From all over the world to Turin: IED welcomes its new international students

Two days between campus spaces and the city center, where new international students, guided by a treasure hunt, started to find their way, meet each other, and grow as a group

14 November 2025

This was IED MUSES Talks: Quayola

In the first episode of the second season of the inspirational talk series by IED, the renowned multimedia artist revealed the key elements of his work at the intersection of art, design, and technology.

10 November 2025

IED presents The Searchlights: Photography as a Political Gesture

The second chapter of the three-year project Ti Vorrei Dire (I Would Like to Tell You), developed in collaboration with Gallerie d’Italia – Intesa Sanpaolo, invites reflection on the power of the image as a political and conscious act — one capable of giving voice and presence to what often remains unseen

06 November 2025

Casa IED opens in New York: a new space for design culture and creative exchange

In Williamsburg, the creative heart of New York, Casa IED has opened as the first of the spaces that IED will dedicate to cultural exchange and collaborative design.

05 November 2025

Living Better in Cities Through Design and AI

As part of the CBI4AI program, students from IED Barcelona, UPC, and Esade have designed proposals that optimize access to and sustainable management of water, combat food waste, and improve healthcare delivery in metropolitan areas.

27 October 2025

IED Torino presents APART 2025: new visions for antiques

Photography students will take center stage at the fair enlivening the Promotrice delle Belle Arti from October 29 to November 2.

27 October 2025

Gazes that tell the story of cinema: IED students are the official photographers of the 43rd Torino Film Festival

Amid screenings, talks, and red carpets, the students of IED Turin turn their learning experience into a visual narrative of the festival and its unique atmosphere.

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Exhibitions and Festival

25 November 2025 - 19 December 2025

Cagliari

This Unbearable Lightness

A photography exhibition developed in collaboration with IED, CEDAC, and Teatro Massimo