CAPA WORLD

Whether you're looking to boost your knowledge in photography and visual studies or take a chance and study something new, get a look at what these classes abroad have to offer. In her final post, Jessica shares her experience taking Irish Photography classes in Dublin. Anticipate gallery and museum visits, guest lectures by professionals, and hands-on learning! 

This past semester I took three classes to complete my graphic design minor back at SUNY Oswego. These classes were Sociology of the Media, Ways of Seeing, and Visual Methodologies. I’m so thankful I took these classes because it gave me such a new perspective as a broadcasting major on the media in Ireland and in Europe, but I also learned so much about Irish photography.

An Irish photo book that I got at the Library Project.

Ways of Seeing and Visual Methodologies were the classes that focused on the ideals of photography. I took Ways of Seeing as a night class with Miriam O’Connor who is a photographer herself. In her class, we focused on the Irish photographer Trish Morrissey, who plays with family album ideals and helped us to write our first assignment for the semester.

The Modern Art Museum is always a great place to visit that is free for students.

My second class was Visual Methodologies with Robert Ellis. He is also a photographer, and has done some work in Africa, helping kids and young adults learn about photography. This class gave an insight into modern photography, post-modern photography, and the concepts behind how photography is changing today. He also brought David Thomas Smith, another Irish photographer, into our class to give a lecture.

Our program advisor, Suzanne, caught this photo of me taking a photo on one of our CAPA trips.

Through these classes, I had the chance to learn about and go to different galleries. First is the Gallery of Photography, located in Temple Bar. There, we visited a show on social movements, that related to the troubles in Belfast. There is also the Library Project located in Temple Bar. This is where some students in Dublin and other people who submit their work can have the chance for their work to be shown. They have many photography books for sale there. It’s fun to just look through and see what you come across. The last place that I went to a photography exhibit was the Modern Art Museum, where German Photographer, Wolfman Tillman’s, Rebuilding the Future was on exhibition.

My favorite view of the main building our campus at Griffith.

If you’re ever studying in Ireland in the Spring, there is a PhotoIreland festival that lasts a whole month! It promotes Irish photography and brings many national and international photographers to Dublin.

Some of my own photography from the Cliffs of Moher.

My professors at Griffith were so insightful and helpful, especially helping me transition into how classes in Ireland are structured. I got so much out of this experience and loved learning about the history of photography and current photography in the country I was studying in.

Thanks, Jessica!

Jessica Kisluk is an official CAPA blogger for fall 2018, sharing her story in weekly posts on CAPA World. A Broadcasting and Mass Communication major at  SUNY Oswego, she is studying abroad in Dublin this semester.

See more of Jessica's journey in Dublin.