Tisch School of the Arts

The Department of Photography and Imaging (DPI) at the Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, stands at the forefront of visual education, merging artistic experimentation with intellectual rigor. Located in the heart of New York City, the program immerses students in an environment where creativity, culture, and critical thought intersect. Through a four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts program, Tisch cultivates photographers and image-makers who are both technically skilled and conceptually engaged.

Students in the Photography and Imaging program are trained to see the world with clarity and depth, to think critically about images, and to take creative risks that challenge conventional perspectives. The curriculum covers every dimension of photographic practice—from traditional analog techniques to advanced digital imaging, multimedia, and 3D simulation technologies. Courses in lighting, studio practice, video, new media, and visual storytelling are complemented by seminars in art history, theory, and cultural studies, ensuring a well-rounded education that connects practice with thought.

The Tisch environment encourages personal voice and creative independence. Faculty members, all distinguished artists and scholars, mentor students closely as they explore their own visual language and artistic vision. The program’s emphasis on interdisciplinary study allows students to take courses across NYU, enriching their understanding of art’s relationship to society, identity, and technology.

With New York City as an extended classroom, students have unparalleled access to galleries, museums, publications, and professional networks. They learn not only how to create but also how to contextualize and present their work in the broader visual culture.

Graduates of the Tisch Photography and Imaging program pursue diverse paths—as fine artists, documentary photographers, editors, educators, designers, and creative leaders. The program’s legacy rests on its belief in the power of photography to question, inspire, and transform how we see ourselves and the world.