Joshua Thorson Headshot

Joshua Thorson

Associate Professor

School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
College of Art and Design
Graduate Program Director, Photography and Related Media
jjtpph@rit.edu
585-475-2823

Joshua Thorson

Associate Professor

School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
College of Art and Design
Graduate Program Director, Photography and Related Media

Education

BA, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; MFA, Bard College; Ph.D., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

jjtpph@rit.edu
585-475-2823
Areas of Expertise
Emerging Technologies
Fine Art Photography
Projection Design
Photography

Select Scholarship

Shows/Exhibits/Installations
Thorson, Joshua. Oklahoma! Video Projections. 2018. St Ann's Warehouse, Brooklyn. Performance.
Thorson, Joshua. Oklahoma! video projections. 2019. Circle in the Square Theater, New York City. Performance.
Thorson, Joshua. Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Projection Design nomination. 2019. Town Hall, New York City. Performance.
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Book Chapter
Thorson, Joshua. "untitled." Charles Atlas. Ed. Raphael Gygax, et al.. Zurich, Switzerland: JRP Ringier, 2019. 75-77. Print.
Published Review
Thorson, Joshua. "Aura Satz: Eyelids Leaking Light." Rev. of Eyelids Leaking Light, ed. Francis Morgan. The Wire 1 Apr. 2015: 82. Print.
Invited Article/Publication
Thorson, Josh. "Evenings in New York." Connu.co. (2014). Web.

Currently Teaching

FDTN-141
4D Design
3 Credits
4D Design introduces students to the basic concepts of art and design in time and space. The course explores elements of moving images such as continuity, still and moving image editing, transitions and syntax, sound and image relations, and principles of movement. Computers, video, photo, sound and lighting equipment are used to create short-form time-based work relevant to students in all majors and programs required to take this course. The course addresses the both historical conventions of time in art and recent technological advances, which are redefining the fields of Fine Art and Design. In focusing on the relations between students' spacing and timing skills, 4D Design extends and supplements the other Foundation courses, and prepares students for further work with time-based media.
PHAR-150
Introduction to Film Photography
3 Credits
An introduction to technical, aesthetic, and conceptual topics in black-and-white still photography for non-photography majors. Through weekly assignments, students will become familiar with the operation of a 35mm camera body, lenses, and film processing and printing, while exploring basic principles of lighting, depth of field, principles of design, blur, stop motion, exposure, and tone control. Lectures will address photographic aesthetics, in addition to historical, contemporary and innovative practices. Students will engage in the language of the critique through participation in discussions of photographic shooting assignments. Students are required to provide their own 35mm camera, film and processing, and photo paper. Non-Photo majors only. **Fee: This course has a facilities fee for Non-SPAS students**
PHAR-160
Intro to Digital Photography
3 Credits
An introduction to digital photography – technical, aesthetic, conceptual – for non-photography majors. Through weekly assignments, students will become familiar with the operation of a DSLR camera body/lens, while exploring the basic principles of lighting, depth of field, design, blur/stop motion, accurate exposure, and image manipulation. Lectures will address photographic aesthetics, contemporary and historical practices, and professional applications. Students will learn to critique work through participation in discussions of photographic assignments. Students are required to have their own DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera. Non-photo majors only. **A materials fee is required for this course and an additional facilities fee for non-SPAS students**
PHAR-599
Photography Independent Study
1 - 3 Credits
Photography Independent Study will provide students with the ability to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. Students, with the assistance of a faculty adviser, will propose a course of study. Photography Independent Study students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll.
PHFA-511
Contemporary Issues
3 Credits
A study of current issues relevant to imaging-based fine art photography and related media; how they relate to broader historical/cultural issues; and how they might suggest future directions. Emphasis is placed on the integration of critical theoretical discourse and studio practice. This course is a touchstone to current and future fine art practices through its engagement with a variety of subjects. This course can be taken multiple times but individual topics must be different.
PHGR-611
Contemporary Issues
3 Credits
This course will study current issues relevant to imaging-based fine art photography and related media; how they relate to broader historical/cultural issues, and how they might suggest future directions. Emphasis is placed on the integration of critical theoretical discourse and studio practice. This course is a touchstone to current and future fine art practices through its engagement with a variety of subjects. This course may be repeated with different topics. Topic is determined by the instructor.
PHGR-698
MFA Photography Internship
1 - 3 Credits
The Photography Internship will provide students with the option to work in the photographic field. Students may apply for internships to businesses based on the availability of positions and business needs. Students must obtain permission of an instructor.
PHGR-716
Integrated Practices I
3 Credits
In this course students will integrate writing, research methods, and experimental problem solving skills to further develop studio practices through integrated project based assignments and projects. Students will hone their skills in art practices, critical analysis, strategies for making, and writing about artwork through developing expanded practices within studio experimentation and artistic thinking. Throughout the semester, the students will become familiar with multiple research facilities throughout the University and the region.
PHGR-723
Research Core II
3 Credits
This course is the second in a sequence of two courses focusing on the completion of the thesis publication and thesis defense. Supported by the research tools and resources outlined in Research Core I, students will conduct mock defenses and complete all components of the thesis publication. At the conclusion of the course, students will successfully submit their thesis publication to ProQuest.
PHGR-799
MFA Photography Independent Study
1 - 4 Credits
An independent study allows graduate students in the Photography and Related Media program the ability to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. Students, with the assistance of a faculty adviser, should propose a course of study or project with clearly defined goals and outcomes. Students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll. **NOTE: Student must have a minimum 3.0 GPA *
PHGR-887
Photography MFA Part-time Co-op
0 Credits
Cooperative Education will provide photography students with hands-on experience in their field, directly related to a student’s major with an established studio or related business. Students will need to apply for co-ops, and interview as part of the selection process, based on available positions posted by the Co-op and Career Services Office, or found through the students’ own research. In programs where co-op is a degree requirement, students must obtain permission of their program or graduate director prior to enrollment. Co-ops are typically paid work experience, and can be part-time (150-479 total hours within the term), or full-time (480+ hours within the term). Co-ops may be one or two consecutive terms - fall, spring, or summer – with department permission.
PHGR-892
Continuation of Thesis Imaging Arts
0 Credits
The Continuation of Thesis Imaging Arts course provides students additional semester(s) to complete their thesis research, project, and thesis document.

In the News

  • April 16, 2025

    students hands are shown submerging paper in to yellow tubs in a photo lab.

    Plant-based chemistry

    City talks to Joshua Thorson, associate professor in the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences, about lessons learned from visiting scholar Alice Cazenave.

  • August 19, 2020

    students in a classroom throwing paper airplanes.

    RIT students start semester with encouragement and precautions

    RIT welcomes a record number of first-year students today as classes begin in a semester that will look like no other due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new students were welcomed Tuesday afternoon during an online convocation that featured several speakers, livestreamed without an audience from Ingle Auditorium.

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Featured Work

Experiments in 360 Storytelling

Joshua Thorson, professor. Featuring work by Traci Westcott, Catie Rafferty, Matteo Bracco, David Lopez, Ian Loomis, Sinclair Lenard, Eli Foote, and Hannah Bolliger.

https://360storytelling.cad.rit.edu/wordpress/ Featuring work by Traci Westcott, Catie Rafferty, Matteo Bracco, David Lopez, Sinclair Lenard, Ian Loomis, Eli Foote, and Hannah Bolliger.

View More about Experiments in 360 Storytelling

Oklahoma! (Broadway) projections

Joshua Thorson

Video projection design for Best Musical Revival Tony Award winning Broadway production of Oklahoma! The design team and director also received Special Citation Obie Awards. I was nominated for a...

View More about Oklahoma! (Broadway) projections
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