Photolink International®

 

Thank you for visiting the Photolink International web site at www.photolink-international.co.uk

Photolink International was established in 1989 to support education for photography, priding itself on an unrivalled knowledge of education for photography, worldwide.   The primary aim was to help Colleges and Universities find partners for international link and exchange programmes and students, courses on which to study. 

The director of Photolink International, Dr Ian R Smith PhD, Cert Ed, FRPS, ABIPP, IIP Final (Med), is currently an independent consultant, lecturer and university examiner and offers objective advice and guidance about photographic education to educational institutions, students, and commercial companies.

Email directly to ian@photolink-international.co.uk

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HISTORICAL RESOURCES
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A History of Photographic Education in England  1839 - 2000
An essay written as part of a PhD submission in 1994 along with revisions and updates.

 
Click here for the link to the paper:  A History of Photographic Education 1839 - 2000 as a PDF

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'Optimising International Exchange Programmes between departments of Photography, 
Film and Video Production' (1994).    

A copy of the PhD thesis by Ian R Smith.  

 
Click here for the link to the thesis

Abstract and Chapter 1.  Methodology and research parameters.                                                        Pages 1 - 31

Chapter 2.                          Education for Photography - Historical aspects.                                           Pages 32 - 68

Chapter 3.                          Photographic Education in Europe. Description of systems.                      Pages 69 - 199 

Chapter 4.                          Analysis of provision with regard to links and exchanges                            Pages 200 - 250

Chapter 5.                         The selection and use of in-depth case studies.                                           Pages 251 - 280

Chapter 6.  
                       Overview of the research and conclusions.                                                    Pages 281 - 332

Appendices.                     Includes a essay on Photography - Its beginnings and influence,      
                                             copies of the survey questionnaires in five languages and a critique of 
                                             the project along with suggestions for future work.                                       Pages 333 - 439

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Newsletters of the THE PHOTOGRAPHIC EDUCATION GROUP (P.E.G.) (1986 - 1990)

The Photography Education Group (P.E.G.) was the creation of Mr Frank Hawkins OBE an Her Majesty's Inspector for Photography.   

He set up the group after retiring, believing that the lack of a central body to deal with the professional needs of educators and trainers was an impediment to the development of photographic education. He was particularly concerned that teachers of photography in schools were under supported. 

The idea was to create an inclusive group of teachers from all levels of photographic education in order they might share ideas and good practice.   He also saw the group as a means of communication between education, examining bodies, professional organisations and the trade. He was supported by a number of lecturers in photography and in particular Mrs Sylvia Barnes (Granville College and later Bournemouth & Poole College of Art and Design*) who was the membership secretary.

It was successful and enjoyed the backing of Ilford Ltd and Kodak which helped keep subscriptions low and underwrote conferences and seminars. The Group's activities ceased when Mr Hawkins was unable to continue with the workload which was considerable.

The Newsletters offer a real insight into photo education of the period and the initiatives of educational practitioners during what many would regard as a golden era for tertiary and further education.

* Bournemouth and Poole College of Art & Design developed to become the Arts University at Bournemouth.

Click here for the Newsletters of the Photography Education Group

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HISTORICAL NOTE ABOUT PHOTOLINK INTERNATIONAL


The Photolink project began in the mid-1980s as part of a doctoral research project undertaken at the University of Southampton, England.  A number of Europe wide surveys, supported by the European Commission, resulted in a database of institutions offering courses in this subject area, the most comprehensive of its kind.

Information about courses was first published as a printed directory and later, as a disk based computer programme.  In 1996 the Photolink web site was launched and attracted visitors from all over the world.  

Many changes have taken place in education for professional photographers since the original Photolink project, largely driven by technological developments.  When Photolink was launched, few colleges or universities published details of their programmes on the web and so the Photolink International web site was a unique and much used resource.  However, students and teachers now have many ways of finding programmes on which to study.

In 2016 it was considered no longer viable or indeed necessary to update the Photolink data base of colleges which had become very outdated.

Originally it was proposed the web site be taken down entirely, however it was agreed to keep parts available as an historic document to help researchers.

This link will take you to the original Photolink International ‘Photoeducation’ database as an historic document.  It shows a unique profile of education for photographers across Europe (and many other countries) during the 1990s.
 

Click here for the original education database
 

Thanks for visiting,

Dr Ian R Smith - Project Director
Mr Karel Bechler - Software and Internet Site Development consultant.

Photolink International remains a Registered Trade Mark.

 
For further information please contact   

Photolink International
Audley House, 19 The Croft, Harvest Lane, Bishopstone, Salisbury,
England. SP5 4DF.
Telephone +44 (0)1722 780425
Email:  mail@photolink-international.co.uk