Art Degrees Online

Course Code VPH002
Fee Code CT
Number of Modules 6
Duration (approx) 600 hours

Developed by professional photographers to train professional photographers, this course gives you a very sound foundation for a career in the modern photographic industry.
This is a rapidly changing industry; and this course is continuously being updated to meet these rapid changes.

Course Structure

The certificate consists of six modules:

Introduction to Photography

Discuss the principles those underpins photography and examine the evolution into digital technologies.
Explain how photographic images are able to be captured on film. This lesson will also explain how photographic images are able to be captured by digital cameras.
Provide you with a firm understanding of how you can work at improving your capabilities with respect to taking photographs. It provides a framework, upon which you will base your work in future lessons.
Determine appropriate application for a range of common items of photographic equipment and develop an understanding of how digital images can be transferred effectively from a digital camera
Explain how photographic film is developed.
Describe the process by which photographic film may be enlarged. Also explain techniques that can be used to process digital photographs within a computer to achieve improved or changed images.
Work more effectively with light when taking photographs.
To identify and avoid common faults in photographs.

Photographic Practice

Compose photographs in a way that matches a predetermined aim.
Explain a variety of ways to take better photographs of people.
Explain a variety of ways to take better photographs of landscapes or other natural subjects.
Differentiate between appropriate use of colour and black and white photography.
Create varied visual affects through the use of special techniques.
Explain a variety of ways to take better illustrative photographs.
Explain a variety of ways to take better photographs for use in print or electronic media.
Determine the nature and scope of business opportunities in photography.

Photographic Technology
Describe in technical terms, how an image forms when a photograph is taken.
Explain the nature of light and how this relates to the finished photographic product.
Describe how sensitivity of a photo sensitive surface and its development affect the photographic image.
Explain sensitivity relates to development affect the photographic image.
Explain the composition and manipulation of white and coloured light to create different photographic images.
Discuss the chemical process that occurs in producing a colour film photograph.
Explain how the photographic image may be manipulated by using optical filters or other camera attachments, other than lenses.
Explain how the photographic image may be manipulated by using lenses.

Digital Photography
Describe the scope and nature of digital photography
Select appropriate equipment for use in digital photography
Explain how technology enables digital images to be captured.
Compare different digital cameras and select an appropriate camera for a particular application.
Control the effects created in a digital photograph which you take.
Describe techniques which can be used for digitally capturing images from film photographs, or graphics.
Explain how digital images can be transferred effectively from a camera (or scanner) onto another device (eg. a computer, video monitor, television set, etc).
Describe techniques that can be used to process digital photographs within a computer to achieve improved or changed images.
Explain how digital photos can be manipulated and changed to produce altered images.
Discuss the scope and nature of special effects that can be created with digital photographs.
Identify how and where digital photography can effectively be used.

Photoshop
Open digital files using Photoshop
Resize images and save them in multiple file formats
Create original graphics using the Photoshop tools
Manipulate individual elements of a graphic composition or image
Improve the quality of an image (clean it up) by applying modifications
Apply interesting filters and effects to images or compositions
Prepare your files for the web, print or email

Photographic Lighting
Discuss the scope and nature of lighting as relevant to photography.
Describe how different light sources will affect different images in varying ways.
Describe how different filters can be used to create different lighting effects.
Identify the differences between different types of light meters.
Describe the range of equipment which can be used to help achieve more desirable light conditions for photography.
Explain contrast and how to compensate for imperfect light conditions.
Explain how to use tone to create the desired final image.
Distinguish between utilisation of light in a studio and on location.To view detailed outlines of each of the modules click on the modules above, one by one.

MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS:
THE INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATION AND RECOGNITION COUNCIL
THE AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL FOR PRIVATE EDUCATION AND TRAINING
AGP (ACS GLOBAL PARTNER)
BRITISH INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
STUDY GOLD COAST

Fitchburg State College’s Communications Media Department offers students the education and experience of being part of one of the most fascinating fields of study. In combination with the Liberal Arts and Sciences Program, Communications Media fosters the development of skills critical to adapting to an ever changing technological and knowledge-based society.
Four-Year Undergraduate Program

The Communications Media program prepares students to assume communication positions as freelancers, independent producers, employees of corporations, institutions or media organizations, as well as a continuation in graduate level study.

The program provides a blend of the principles and practices necessary for the effective design, production and evaluation of media for information presentation by graphic, photographic, film, video, electronic and print technologies.
Communication Studies

This concentration provides for advanced studies of the theoretical constructs necessary for strategic analysis, design, application and research. It provides foundational preparation for graduate studies in communication and a number of allied fields. All of our theory classrooms are equipped with smart board technology to aid our students in advancing their studies.
Film/Video Production

This concentration allows students to concentrate in either film or video. Students have access to production and editing equipment that meets industry standards. Most students will have an opportunity to use this equipment within their first year. This concentration is designed to allow students the opportunity to experience the kind of team approach to production that is common to all areas of professional media.
Graphic Design

This concentration provides a learning environment that fosters creative thinking and personal artistic development. The curriculum is highly instrumental in maintaining a healthy balance between design and production, allowing students to focus their attention on specialized aspects of the field in a series of courses. These courses include Computer Graphic Design, Typography, Illustration, Motion Graphic Design, Interface Design and Publication Design. The Macintosh lab facility is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment that gives students a competitive edge when they enter the field.
Interactive Media

This concentration teaches our students the principles of designing interactivity and the user experience. The program focuses on creating complex interactive projects such as Web sites, DVDs, interactive narratives and games, digital training courses and kiosks. Students learn how to use professional tools and techniques by working with interactive design software such as Photoshop, Flash, and Dreamweaver in our Macintosh-based interactive multimedia lab.
Photography

Students in this concentration have access to one of the finest darkroom and studio facilities in New England. Our students work with professional equipment as early as their first year. Students get a hands-on experience with equipment ranging from manual 35mm film to digital SLR cameras, medium format Hasselblad and Mamiya cameras, as well as traditional 4×5 view cameras. The photography lab is equipped with two large group darkrooms and several individual darkrooms. There are also two digitally equipped professional commercial studios in which to learn and create. Students are trained in the ins and outs of both traditional and digital printing.
Professional Communication

This concentration gives students the opportunity to focus their career goals in the following areas: public relations, advertising, technical documentation, journalism or multi-media design and development. Each course in the concentration combines theoretical study and practical application to prepare our graduates for the expectations of professional communication environments. Within their first year of study, students will produce professional text and will have the opportunity to be critiqued by experienced professionals throughout the program.

The Communications Media faculty offers a wide variety of experiences to students who attend the college. Every faculty member holds a terminal degree and many provide leadership in their fields through research and publishing, along with producing and directing work. Several of our faculty members are also presenting original theoretical work at conferences and exhibiting their work at galleries and museums. Our faculty are recognized internationally as scholar-researchers and artists.
Internship

Each Communications Media student is required to complete an internship as part of the graduation requirements. The full semester internship requires the completion of 37.5 hours of work per week over 15 weeks. Communications Media majors apply their knowledge and skills to the practical solution of communication problems.

The department of Communications Media regularly places interns throughout the United States and abroad in some of the most well-known and successful firms in the communication industry. Some of these include:
Aigner Associates (New York)
Arnold Advertising (Boston)
Avenue Pictures (Hollywood)
Avid Technologies (Tewksbury, Mass.)
CNN (Atlanta)
ESPN (Bristol, Conn.)
Focus Features (New York)
Kopelson Entertainment (Hollywood)
Late Night with David Letterman (New York)
McGinn Group (Washington, D.C.)
Miramax Films (New York)
Network affiliates in Boston and New Hampshire
PM Studio (Atlanta)
Scout Productions (Los Angeles)
Turner Entertainment (Los Angeles)
Wes Craven Films (Hollywood)