Art Degrees Online

The Photography and Video program at Montserrat is more diverse and dynamic than ever before. The program immerses students in photo studies, time based/video, and traditional 2D photographic media. Because of the critical and technological environment of photographic studies, we require students to take a sequence of courses, which support a broad range of approaches and imaging applications. Students complete their studies with the production of a comprehensive body of work that demonstrates fluency in contemporary photographic media language.

The Photography and Video department offers a full range of classes from traditional photographic processes to digital and electronic media forms. From the onset, courses engage students with the potential of the expanded media environment that now includes still, video, sound, and multimedia forms of expression. Progressive course offerings also provide for a range of technical and conceptual points of departure and aesthetic investigations. Yet in the department, the basic tenets and vocabulary of photographic imaging endures. Using film or flash ram, still or video imaging systems, with or without sound we are still looking through the lens of a camera. Issues of representation, the construction of content and meaning, the communication of ideas, and the dissemination of information continue to be integral components of the photographic dialogue.

The Photography and Video department’s facilities and technology support all course offerings. Our darkroom handles formats ranging from 35mm to 4×5″ negatives. Our shooting studio is equipped with strobes and continuous light systems, computer and archiving stations, and proofing devices. Our digital labs utilize Macintosh computers along with the most current editing software. Students also use professional digital cameras, flatbed scanners, high-resolution film scanners, archiving hardware, media converters, a 44″ wide-format archival inkjet printer, small format archival inkjet printers and color and black and white proofing devices. Still and video cameras, tripods, portable lighting kits, and other equipment are available for students for in-class and off-campus work.

The Photography and Video program at Montserrat is more diverse and dynamic than ever before. The program immerses students in photo studies, time based/video, and traditional 2D photographic media. Because of the critical and technological environment of photographic studies, we require students to take a sequence of courses, which support a broad range of approaches and imaging applications. Students complete their studies with the production of a comprehensive body of work that demonstrates fluency in contemporary photographic media language.

The Photography and Video department offers a full range of classes from traditional photographic processes to digital and electronic media forms. From the onset, courses engage students with the potential of the expanded media environment that now includes still, video, sound, and multimedia forms of expression. Progressive course offerings also provide for a range of technical and conceptual points of departure and aesthetic investigations. Yet in the department, the basic tenets and vocabulary of photographic imaging endures. Using film or flash ram, still or video imaging systems, with or without sound we are still looking through the lens of a camera. Issues of representation, the construction of content and meaning, the communication of ideas, and the dissemination of information continue to be integral components of the photographic dialogue.

The Photography and Video department’s facilities and technology support all course offerings. Our darkroom handles formats ranging from 35mm to 4×5″ negatives. Our shooting studio is equipped with strobes and continuous light systems, computer and archiving stations, and proofing devices. Our digital labs utilize Macintosh computers along with the most current editing software. Students also use professional digital cameras, flatbed scanners, high-resolution film scanners, archiving hardware, media converters, a 44″ wide-format archival inkjet printer, small format archival inkjet printers and color and black and white proofing devices. Still and video cameras, tripods, portable lighting kits, and other equipment are available for students for in-class and off-campus work.

PHOTO 5 – INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOGRAPHY
3 units, 3 lecture hours
ADVISORY: Eligibility for English 125 and 126 or English 153 or ESL 67 and 68 recommended.

Survey of photographic practices and methods. emphasis on creative and technical use of camera controls and accessories, lighting, and the visual language. Class demonstrations, field trips, and classroom discussion of photographs made by students. (A, CSU-GE, UC)

PHOTO 10 – BASIC BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY
3 units, 2 lecture hours, 3 lab hours
ADVISORY: Photography 5. Eligibility for English 125 and 126 or English 153 or ESL 67 and 68 recommended.

Entry-level course for the photography certificate or degree program. Theories and practices of 35mm photography; technical and creative use of manual camera controls and accessories, film development, printing, and print presentation techniques. Projects emphasize photographic problem
solving utilizing text and classroom information. Classroom discussion of professional and student photographs. (CAN ART 18) (A, CSU-GE, UC)

PHOTO 12 – PHOTOSHOP FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
3 units, 2 lecture hours, 3 lab hours, (Repeats = 3), (Formerly Photo 22)
ADVISORY: Applied Technology 10 or equivalent. Eligibility for English 125 and 126 or English 153 or ESL 67 and 68 recommended.

Survey and use of electronic still photography: image capture, processing, storage, output, and legal/ethical issues. Scan film and prints, use of digital cameras, Macintosh computers, Adobe Photoshop software, and desktop printers to produce a portfolio of digital photographs. (A, CSU)

PHOTO 15 – PHOTOGRAPHY AND VISUAL LITERACY
3 units, 2 lecture hours, 3 lab hours, (Repeats = 3)
COREQUISITE: Photography 10 or equivalent.
ADVISORY: Eligibility for English 125 and 126 or English 153 or ESL 67 and 68 recommended.

The nature and character of photography; its use for communication and expression. Visual literacy and photography as a universal language. How concept, design, and execution of the photographic image are utilized in our culture. The use of small format cameras and darkroom processes. Field trips as required. (A, CSU-GE)

PHOTO 19 – WORK EXPERIENCE (COOPERATIVE), OCCUPATIONAL
1-4 units, (Repeats = 3)
COREQUISITE: Fall and Spring Semesters: Must be enrolled in a minimum of 7 units, including work experience. Summer Session: Must be enrolled in at least one other course. Supervised employment directly related to the student’s major. Offered under specific majors.

Success on the job, including interpersonal, problem solving, and communication skills; office dynamics and adapting to change. Group interaction. Collaborative learning activities specific to photography. Learning objectives established specific to photography. Seventy-five hours of paid employment or 60 hours of volunteer employment per unit per semester. Maximum of 4 units per semester, 16 units total. May be repeated up to three times for not more than 16 units total. (A, CSU)

PHOTO 20 – ADVANCED BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY
3 units, 2 lecture hours, 3 lab hours, (Repeats = 3)
PREREQUISITE: Photography 10 or equivalent.

Advanced black and white techniques with emphasis on the zone system, darkroom experimentation, lighting, design, and visual literacy through related 35mm and 4×5 view camera projects, readings, and class critiques. (A, CSU-GE)

PHOTO 23 – DIGITAL DARKROOM
3 units, 2 lecture hours, 3 lab hours, (Repeats = 3)
PREREQUISITE: Photography 12 or equivalent.

Intermediate and advanced techniques for computer-aided still photography, image capture, processing, and output technologies. Use of image enhancement software and Macintosh computers to complete real world assignments and produce a portfolio of digital photography. (A, CSU)

PHOTO 25 – PORTRAITURE
3 units, 2 lecture hours, 3 lab hours, (Repeats = 3), (Formerly Photo 2 )
PREREQUISITE: Photography 10 or equivalent.
ADVISORY: Photography 15, 12 or AT 10 or equivalent recommended.

Studio and environmental commercial portraiture. emphasis on style and the psychology of body language, lighting, composition, and facial expression. Traditional film and digital photography technologies used with small and medium format cameras. (A, CSU)

PHOTO 30 – PHOTOJOURNALISM AND VISUAL COMMUNICATION
3 units, 2 lecture hours, 3 lab hours, (Repeats = 3)
PREREQUISITE: Photography 10 or equivalent.
ADVISORY: Photography 12 or Applied Technology 10 or equivalent recommended.

Theories and practices of photography in the field of mass communication. Photography as it is applied to: newspapers, magazines, public relations, websites, and business applications. emphasis on communication of ideas, storytelling, and social reportage using the power of traditional film and digital still photographs. (A, CSU)

PHOTO 33 – BASIC COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY
3 units, 2 lecture hours, 3 lab hours, (Repeats = 3), (Formerly Photo 30 and Photo 40)
PREREQUISITE: Photography 10 or equivalent.

The visual and technical approaches to color photography; light qualities, color visual literacy and design, exposure control, film characteristics, color slide processing and printing, alternative processes, and introduction to digital color applications. Class demonstrations and discussion of color slides and prints produced by students. (A, CSU)

PHOTO 35 – LIGHTING PRINCIPLES
3 units, 2 lecture hours, 3 lab hours, (Repeats = 3), (Formerly Photo 2 )
PREREQUISITE: Photography 10 or equivalent.
ADVISORY: Photography 12 or equivalent recommended.

Photographic lighting, principles, characteristics, and styles. emphasis on problem solving and expression using studio lighting techniques. Use of traditional film and digital photography workflows.(A, CSU)

PHOTO 40 – PHOTO EDITING AND MARKETING
3 units, 2 lecture hours, 3 lab hours, (Repeats = 3)
PREREQUISITE: Photography 10 or equivalent.
ADVISORY: Photography 12, 15, or equivalent recommended.

Theories and practices of picture selection for publication within a visual environment like corporate publications, newspapers, magazines, and websites where visual communication enhances the written word. Advance theory in communication with emphasis on visual language, organization and design as well as market targeting, portfolio presentation and strategies for success in a competitive market. (A, CSU)

PHOTO 45 – INDEPENDENT PHOTO STUDY
3 units, 2 lecture hours, 3 lab hours, (Repeats = 3)
PREREQUISITE: Photography 15, 20, 23, 25, 30, 33, 35, 40, or equivalent.

Individual photographic projects designed to allow the student to expand on a specific area of previous study. The production of a pre-employment portfolio with field trips to professional studios, labs, television stations, newspapers, and galleries. (A, CSU)

At Santa Monica College a photography student can take advantage of a program unique among 2-year colleges. Here we utilize Megavision S2 and S3 medium format digital capture backs with Mamiya 645 AFD cameras, Mamiya RZ 67 cameras, and Hasselblad 501C cameras. We use BetterLight and Phase One capture backs with Toyo 4×5 G2 view cameras. For 35mm format digital cameras, we have Canon D30’s. All three capture systems are used in studio and students can take the D30′s off-site
for location assignments.

In the studio we employ Macintosh computers for digital capture. In Digipix, our digital imaging facility, we utilize the most current versions of Adobe CS3 Design Suite software that includes Photoshop, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver. Supporting digital instruction in our service bureau are high-end Imacon film and Epson flatbed scanners, a Fujix PG3000 output device and Epson printers up to 24” wide, all color-managed and available for student use.

We also boast some of the finest darkroom facilities of any college or university, continuing to offer the best in quality black-and-white and color printing, not to mention new digital enlargers for output of Photoshop files to traditional wet media and a robust program in historical chemical processes.