Within each project, students are given a great deal of latitude, encouraging individualism in interpreting and solving the problem assigned. Their creativity, technique, and composition are directly related to the quality of their photographs. Continuous personal progression in technique and style helps the students develop a sense of pride in their creations.

Students are highly encouraged to experiment. With free access to the darkroom and all of the equipment, projects are geared to instill personal responsibility and artistic growth in the students. Once students acquire the basic foundations of photography, the course's emphasis turns to personalized image control. Special printing techniques, as well as variations in films, developers, printing papers, lenses, processes, and larger camera formats are explored, depending on class size and time.