Documentary Photography - Newport - from a 1st year

Just in from James who started this September at Newport - good luck with the course and thanks for the info.

"Ive been studying documentary photography at the University of Wales, Newport for about 8 weeks now and so far I've learnt a hell of alot.

The first year is about getting you off your arse, onto the streets, speaking to people and actualy using your camera (i shot the same amount i did in two years at long road as i have done in 3 weeks here..) So its expensive as you can imagine but worth it. You get to meet so many interesting people when you have a camera round your neck - whom otherwise you would probably have never met.. (e.g im doing a portrait assignment on an retired gypsy boxer and i'm going hunting with him and his sons next week)

Only do this course if:-

- you had atleast one gap year after coming out of A levels.. (the average age on this course is probably 22) cos otherwise - if you havent been traveling or anything i doubt you'l be able to look after yourself as well - and know how to deal with different people. which is essential to documentary photography.

- you think you can organise and motivate yourself to actualy have a go at the course. as theres only 2 hours of lectures a week and its easy to do **** all if you want...

- you dont mind being stuck out in the sticks a bit as the universities about 5mins from newport itself but in a beautiful village called Caerleon (which has 18 pubs!) - newport's supposed to be a shit hole - but actualy its a wierd and wonderful time warp stuck in the 80's - which probably makes it one of the most interesting places to be doing Documentary.

To sum things up, the tutors know what theyre doing - theyre all working documentary photographers. The facilities are very good. The Library is very good (research). And the students on the course are really interesting as well - its good."

Documentary Photography - Newport

This is from Pete who graduated in June 06 from Newport with a 2:1 - congrats!

"I did Documentary Photography at Newport University. Although initially a hard decision to make, it was the right one. The hard decision was whether i wanted to live and learn in a city as 'unendearing' as Newport and i can say now that you shouldn't let that deter you. Newport is a stone's throw from Cardiff if you pine for a more cosmopolitan social scene, and if you look hard enough the bar scene in Newport has its little gems (try Meze lounge, TJ's and The Angel).

As for the course the teachers are reasonably helpful although it would be a good idea to get chummy with them early in year one to make sure they remember you and provide you with a decent amount of tutorials. Their advice and lectures are generally good with the occasional brilliant one. Ian Walker deserves a mention as he is a doctor in Doc.Phot. as you will call it, and you will want to go to his friday morning lectures however hung over you are. And make sure you go to every single lecture with visiting photographers - we had several magnum photographers come in for talks as well as a bunch of fantastic photographers you probably will never have heard of. From my experience the year you will be in will be from all over the place - we had Malaysians, Norwegians, Germans, Swedes, Finns, Italians etc. in my year alone. I think the course has been expanded so expect up to 80 students in your year. Most people from all years of the course are helpful enough as long as you don't bother them when deadlines loom otherwise they normally moan about 'bloody 1st years' to your face. Just wait till you're a third year.

As for the other photography courses, i lived with two members of the photo-art course and they constantly had the piss taken out of them for taking such a 'noddy' degree. I think that was a little harsh, as i personally saw a lot of the work and the teachers seemed very helpful. In fact the only reason Doc.Phot. gets all the publicity is because of its reputation and how long its been running for. I wouldn't be too keen on the other 'multi-media' courses there though, they really do seem a little shite.

I shall leave the best part of Newport Uni till last - the people. Not so much the locals, mind (although the staff at the local SPAR were great). My fondest memory is of all the different people you meet along the way, some good some bad, but always interesting. I came out with 10 or so people that i know will be life long friends. There's only 3000 students at Newport Uni, so it had a close knit feel about the place. Some of the college parties are great (fancy dress and break beat raves), and try and get down to the gower (nr. Swansea) for amazing beaches, BBQs, and sunsets. Oh and the Newport accent is hilarious. It really is localised to the Newport area too."