Photography In The Community (PIC) Project
At second year level, students undertake a unique workplace project, through the Industry Placement module, Photography in the Community project. Each student is allocated an organization and a specific contact person. During the placement students work either under full direction or quite independently depending on the organisations requirements.
Students work over a six to eight week period and are measured against industry standards throughout the placement. Each organization provides feedback on the student's performance for assessment purposes.
During the placement students learn about the importance of communication, teambuilding, meeting a client brief and industry deadlines. Form this experience many students commence building their network of contacts for future work.
This year Dionne Smith was assigned Wintringham Hostel as her client. Here she discusses her photographs with her tutor Lynette Zeeng.
When asked to comment on her project Dionne said:
The Photography in the Community Project was a really worthwhile and enjoyable. I was assigned Wintringham Hostel, which houses elderly homeless people or those at risk of becoming homeless.
My client brief was to show each resident enjoying their own space in their own unique way. Though all the people were fantastic company and real characters, photographing them was fairly challenging. There were often aspects that hindered the photographic possibilities and learning to work around these really pushed me to find creative solutions.
The client interaction, community contribution and connecting with various personalities were also invaluable and I had a really good time from beginning to end. The project gives as much back as you dedicate to it and both my client and I benefited from the whole experience. 
- Dionne Smith
PSC also offers an extensive mentor program in the final year of the course. This gives students the opportunity to work with a well established photographer. (see Mentor Program for further information)
