Course Descriptions
2023 - 2024 Catalog
PHO 105 - Digital Photography (formerly The Camera)
Units: 3
When Offered: Fall, Spring
Students will understand, and become comfortable, with the foundational use of the camera by understanding exposure through metering and the relationship between - ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed. Students will begin to implement foundational design elements through composition, and compression through different lens focal lengths. Students will produce and analyze photographs by employing professional photographic techniques and the introduction of a digital workflow.
Grade Type: Letter Grade
Fee: Additional course fee
PHO 110 - Commercial Photography
Units: 3
When Offered: Fall
This course surveys contemporary genres within Commercial Photography. While introducing the practical skills of production and conceptual development, students will work to plan and execute camera-based assignments in the areas of editorial and advertising photography.
Grade Type: Letter Grade
Prerequisite(s): PHO 105
PHO 120 - Fine Art Photography
Units: 3
When Offered: Spring
This introductory course explores the conceptual and expressive principles of Fine Art Photography through lectures, discussions, assignments, and field trips. Students will submit their work for critique, refining the theoretical and practical skills needed to create meaningful imagery.
Grade Type: Letter Grade
Fee: Additional course fee
Prerequisite(s): PHO 105 and PHO 140
PHO 140 - History of Photography
Units: 3
When Offered: Fall, Spring
This course follows movements and themes in the history of photography from its inception at the turn of the 19th century to today. In this class, students will identify key works and discuss their significance in a historical context. On a more theoretical level, photography will be observed as cultural production that shapes personal and political ideology. Photographic examples will be presented from photojournalism, documentary, fine art, advertising, fashion, and academia to more vernacular uses in everyday life. Through readings, discussions, and assignments, students will build the visual literacy needed to experience, understand and analyze images.
Grade Type: Letter Grade
Fee: Additional course fee
PHO 250 - Post-Production
Units: 3
When Offered: Spring
Through this course, students will develop the technical foundation needed to process and retouch images with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Students will build a professional workflow utilizing digital asset management, image selection, and global adjustments with non-destructive methods. Further pixel adjustments will be made within Photoshop for advanced retouching.
Grade Type: Letter Grade
Fee: Additional course fee
Prerequisite(s): PHO 105
PHO 310 - Process and Practice
Units: 3
When Offered: Spring
This course further explores the medium of photography specific to commercial, fine art, and social practice. Students will begin focusing on a body of work specific to their genre of photography. Further refinement through technical demonstrations and critique will allow students to begin to define an artistic style that is viable within their intended marketplace.
Grade Type: Letter Grade
Fee: Additional course fee
Prerequisite(s): PHO 350
PHO 330 - Visual Storytelling
Units: 3
When Offered: Fall
This course integrates a conceptual framework and narrative structure into the photographic process. Utilizing color, design, and visual communication skills to evoke emotion, students will learn how narrative shapes messaging. The course supports students involved in a wide range of photographic disciplines where visual storytelling is critical to a work’s reception.
Grade Type: Letter Grade
Fee: Additional course fee
Prerequisite(s): PHO 310
PHO 332 - Studio Lighting
Units: 3
When Offered: Spring
This course will implement a practical workflow within a controlled space, utilizing the tools and techniques of studio photographers. Students will gain an understanding of light quality and how it relates to ideas and the emotional depiction of a subject. Students will understand how to craft their lighting for the specific subject they are photographing. Labs will be hands-on, integrating professional studio practices for digital capture and utilizing industry-wide workflow standards related to the latest software and hardware.
Grade Type: Letter Grade
Fee: Additional course fee
Prerequisite(s): PHO 350
PHO 350 - Digital Printing and Color Management
Units: 3
When Offered: Fall
This course presents students with the digital workflow techniques needed to produce archival photographs. File preparation, resolution selection, print-profiling, paper selection, and soft-proofing techniques will be covered. Students will learn the techniques of digital color management by applying color profiles to produce archival prints for the purpose of promotional, gallery, and printed portfolios.
Grade Type: Letter Grade
Fee: Additional course fee
Prerequisite(s): PHO 250 or GDM 235
PHO 400 - Special Topics in Photography
Units: 3
When Offered: Spring
This course focuses on different topics in the field of photography each time it is offered.
Repeatable: May be repeated for a maximum of nine (9) units with a change in topic
Grade Type: Letter Grade
Fee: Additional course fee
Prerequisite(s): PHO 350
PHO 415 - Context and Narrative
Units: 3
When Offered: Spring
Students will apply their knowledge of photographic processes and visual storytelling to the development of a cohesive and professional body of work as their authentic voice. Emphasis is on advanced level conceptual development, contextual research, image-making, and critique. Resulting in an approved proposal allowing them to proceed with their senior project.
Grade Type: Letter Grade
Fee: Additional course fee
Prerequisite(s): PHO 330
PHO 432 - Location Lighting
Units: 3
When Offered: Fall
Students will be able to approach locations efficiently to determine what artificial lighting methods to introduce to create technically refined photographs. While also introducing these techniques creatively to further demonstrate mastery of photography through the use of location lighting.
Grade Type: Letter Grade
Fee: Additional course fee
Prerequisite(s): PHO 332
PHO 433 - Studio Practice
Units: 3
When Offered: Fall
This course will address project cohesiveness, work quality, concept, and process through critique and feedback. Students will apply all skills and theory learned to further define a contextual response to their photographic narrative. Students will demonstrate a detailed understanding of the photographic process, including research, concept, design, and documentation, in preparation for their final presentation.
Grade Type: Letter Grade
Fee: Additional course fee
Prerequisite(s): PHO 415
PHO 450 - Digital Asset Management
Units: 3
When Offered: Spring
Students will curate, control, and communicate their photographic library by gathering and assembling current assets in one collaborative location. Establishing digital workflow best practices for the entire asset life cycle, by integrating their image library with other applications and services.
Grade Type: Letter Grade
Fee: Additional course fee
Prerequisite(s): PHO 485
PHO 485 - Photography Business
Units: 3
When Offered: Fall
Students will understand and develop the principles of running a successful photography business. With a hands-on practical approach in relationship to; self-promotion, marketing, accounting, copyright, permitting, contracts, artist representation, and the procurement of work.
Grade Type: Letter Grade
Fee: Additional course fee
Prerequisite(s): PHO 415
PHO 499 - Portfolio and Gallery
Units: 3
When Offered: Spring
Students will apply the skills necessary for the professional presentation of a completed body of work, including editing, sequencing, printing, marketing, portfolio design, and gallery presentation.
Grade Type: Letter Grade
Fee: Additional course fee
Prerequisite(s): PHO 433