Interpreting Visual Culture Through Theory, Essay, and Expression
Writing has accompanied the photographic image almost since the invention of photography in the 1820s. Much of what we think of today as visual culture comprises word-image combinations of various kinds from captions and commentary to essays and scholarly studies.
The Online Writing and the Photographic Image program offers a unique opportunity for students and professionals worldwide to engage in a rigorous course of study tailored for the online environment, spanning a full calendar year (January 2026 - December 2026).
Header image by David Campany.
Photobook Fest 2024 © Lucia Buricelli for ICP
Meet the Director
David Campany
Creative Director, ICP
David Campany has worked worldwide with institutions including MoMA New York, Tate, Whitechapel Gallery London, Centre Pompidou, Le Bal Paris, ICP New York, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, The Photographer’s Gallery London, ParisPhoto, PhotoLondon, The National Portrait Gallery London, Aperture, Steidl, MIT Press, Thames & Hudson, MACK and Frieze. Read More
Program Highlights
This intensive program (January 2026 – December 2026) blends guided online classroom study with independent work focused on creating a body of writing suitable for publication. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the issues, practicalities and possibilities of writing as it relates to photography in all its forms, enriched by dialogue with a global community of key figures in the field. Students are encouraged to explore both local and global perspectives in their approach.
With guidance, insight and mentorship from a range of world-class writers, publishers and other experts, students of the Writing and the Photographic Image program are supported and encouraged to take writing in their own direction.
The program is open to emerging and established curators, writers, photographers and artists looking to further their understanding, expertise and professional networks. International in scope, the program takes advantage of the online environment to allow students, tutors, and guest lecturers to be based anywhere in the world.
Program Structure
- Term 1 (January - May): Introduces key concepts and research fundamentals with an emphasis on the daily practice of writing and reading.
- Term 2 (June - August): Dedicated to independent work, students develop their body of writing project under mentor guidance, with no group classes scheduled. Collaborative projects between students are possible.
- Term 3 (September - December): Students refine and contextualize their work through collaboration with peers and international faculty, resulting in a cohesive body of writings.
Class Structure
- Class Schedule: Live classes are held in 3-hour sessions from 9 AM to 12 PM or 10 AM to 1 PM EST. Specific days and number of sessions per week are to be determined.
- Program Commitment: Expect a focused and flexible experience, averaging 6–8 hours per week, with a heavier workload during the spring and fall terms.
Key Areas of Study: Course List
- The Core Seminar Includes: Critiques, lectures, close readings, research, short assignments, long project development, writing workshops, and contextualizing of work.
- Key Concepts in Photo Theory
- The essay as form
- Conversations and interviews
- Extended writing on single images
- Image/text practices
- Fiction and the photographic image
- Post-colonial perspectives
- Writing for catalogues and monographs
- Journalism
- Experimental approaches
- Exhibition texts
Program Overview
Application Checklist
- Slideroom Application
- Writing Sample - Submit one writing sample or up to three—on any topic that demonstrates your writing skills (each no more than 2,000 words).
- One-Page Statement of Purpose
- Two recommendation Letters
- Transcripts/Diploma
- English Test Score (*international applicants only) - Minimum required scores: Toefl 86 | IELTS 6.5 | Duolingo 115
Material and equipment requirements
To participate in this program, students must have:
- A laptop or desktop with an up-to-date operating system that supports Zoom (including screen sharing) and Google Workspace (Drive, Calendar, Gmail)
- Reliable Wi-Fi access
- An external hard drive and/or cloud storage (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox)
Program Cost
Online Programs
Annual Tuition: $12,500
Application Fee: $60
Total Cost: $12,560
Scholarships and Fellowships
ICP offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships and fellowships for both domestic and international students. These awards provide partial tuition support to select, highly qualified applicants. For more information, please visit here.