Course Duration
Full-Time 3 years
Part-Time 3 years

For further information please contact the Admissions Office at GCD
Phone +353 1 415 0400
Email admissions@gcd.ie

About the Course
This visual media industry is currently in rapid change and progression. Elements like DTP and the world wide web have created a pressing need for highly trained visual arts professionals with a high level of new skills and creative artistic and communications talent.

Griffith College’s Faculty of Journalism and Media has over eight years experience in providing industry standard photographic training. The delivery of award winning courses has gained us an enviable reputation in the Irish photographic industry. Former students are now working in the field in all spheres of photographic practice and we have long enjoyed the support of our colleagues in the Irish professional Photographer’s Association. In addition, Griffith students have won seven of the eight photographic awards in the national student Media competitions between 2005 and 2007.

This BA Degree course is offered on a three year full-time basis or on a part-time version, the first time this level of study has been offered in this format in Ireland. The emphasis of our course is on commercial photography, professional approach allied to analytical skills and creative judgment. Our graduates will be highly skilled and experienced, capable of adding to the visual arts media in Ireland and abroad. On completion of this course graduates will be versed in the skills necessary for further study at even higher levels.

Progression
Further study is an option for students who successfully complete this course; the logical progression is to take the final year of the BA (Hons) in Journalism and Visual Media.

The main aims of this degree are:
to develop the technical and creative skills
to understand the digital workflow, video production and basic web design
to provide opportunities to undertake work-based learning within the photographic industry, allowing students to see in operation and practice new skills learnt in class;
to develop knowledge and understanding of a range of styles, both historical and contemporary, used within photographic practice.
to be able to contextualise their own practice
to enable students to graduate with evidence of a body of work, both hard copy and digital, which can assist in future professional advancement;
to equip students for employment/self employment in the field of photography and/or digital media and within the creative industries;
to provide a two-year Professional Photography degree which enables students to go on to level three of the BA(Hons) Photography degree or to other specialist degrees.
Foundation Degrees are new, modern higher education qualifications that combine the needs of industry with academic skills. The aim of FdA Professional Photography is to equip you with the skills and knowledge required to work in the photographic industry. This means the programme has a distinctly vocational flavour with the focus being very much on the practical elements of the field, but also allows you learn how to contextualise your images.

Course content will develop your digital skills to an advanced level, and you’ll learn to use a wide range of different cameras and formats. In the lighting workshops you’ll learn to work with studio flash, on location, and mixed lighting. You’ll also develop basic design skills for website creation. In fact, you’ll cover all areas of professional practice.

Specialist workshops and lectures in areas such as fashion, portrait and product photography, provide a grounding in technical aspects as well as bringing you up to speed with current trends. Illustrated talks will bring you closer to the work of a number of practitioners working internationally at a high level.

Throughout your studies you’ll enjoy the support and guidance of our highly experienced teaching staff, and by the end of the course you’ll be expected to produce a high-quality digital and hard copy portfolio to demonstrate just how far you’ve come. Graduates of FdA Professional Photography may transfer to the third year of the BA (Hons) Photography.

If you aspire to work as a photographer for magazines, designers, the music, fashion or advertising industries then this could be what you’re looking for.

The BA Photography — Editorial and Advertising aims to equip graduates with all the skills they need to work as commercial photographers and professional practitioners within the modern creative professions.

Having evolved through years of interacting with the media industry, the course can provide you with a solid grounding in creative, practical andacademic areas.

As well as focusing on photographic theory, our course gives you the opportunity to gain work experience within the photographic industry. Recent student placements including working for Mario Testino, Harpers Bazaar magazine, ID magazine and Vue Agency.

During the course you’ll also have the option to take the British Institute of Professional Photographers Professional Qualifying Exam (BIPP PQE).

Developed with the working world in mind, this course embraces the hands on aspects of digital practice and printing, and gives you the chance to debate different issues surrounding photography and the bigger picture.

Degrees Offered:
BFA

Number of Students:
260

Degrees Offered:
BFA

Number of Students:
260

Certificate(s)
Certificate in Photography 4407 CT.PHOT

Employment Concentration Certificate(s)
Digital Imaging Entrepreneur 99999 ECC.PHOT.DIE
Digital Imaging Technician 99999 ECC.PHOT.DIT
Photography for Digital Video 99999 ECC.PHOT.DIGVID
Photography for Graphic Design 99999 ECC.PHOT.GRAPDES
Web-Based Digital Imaging 99999 ECC.PHOT.WEBDI
San Jacinto Campus
(951) 487-MSJC (6752)
1-800-624-5561
Keith Hanz (951) 487-3346
khanz@msjc.edu

Department Web Site
www.msjc.edu/photography

Program Description

The MSJC Photography program offers students comprehensive and forward-thinking learning opportunities that respond to new-media industry standards with an emphasis on the digital photography paradigm. MSJC photography students can choose which path of creative and technical study fulfills their particular needs by selecting AS Degree, Certificate or Employment Concentrations. These versatile paths of study offer intensive and extensive technical instruction in addition to creative production guidance for students gathering contemporary photographic skill sets. Traditional chemistry-based darkroom curriculum offers students a historical and creative reference for those preparing for both transfer and the new-media challenges that pervade the contemporary photographic industry as well. The career-oriented student will study the ubiquitous nature of photographic visual communication while immersing themselves in the indispensable design, acquisition, manipulation, and output of photographic imagery in our industry and society.
Distinctive Features

The digital fixing of the photographic image with electronic light sensors and computer software rivals milestones in history like the invention of paper, the printing press, or chemistry-based image fixing. Extinct is hand calligraphy in advertising, illuminated manuscripts in printing or the emulsion based image on tin, for example. Emulsion-based photography is methodically giving way to a digital era in image production – an evolution akin to dinosaurs evolving into birds – only faster. For these reasons a versatile and truly state-of-the-art digital studio, light room, and imaging lab has been designed to facilitate the photography department’s industry-responsive digital curriculum. Beginning through advanced students will avail themselves of a 1,325 square foot digital still/video imaging studio with high ceilings and versatile photographic environments – all networked to a digital light room and other adjoining learning facilities. Traditional historical black and white darkroom equipment and procedures still offer students a creative and practical reference in the MSJC photography department as well. Students will benefit from hands-on exposure to real-world tools. These tools are fast, high-resolution capture, manipulation, and output devices that will allow students to explore all aspects and categories of the photographic realm including, studio photography, field photography, photographic lighting, camera and image acquisition, software and hardware, professional large format output, and specialized applications like image stitching software/hardware or time-lapse intervalometers.
Career Opportunities

The following are opportunities for digital photography students to apply skills learned and developed in our digital program to internship, direct employment or entrepreneurship. Digital Imager/Photographer * Web Photocontent producer/designer * Multimedia content producer, CDR/DVD * Digital Imaging software specialist * Quicktime VR/IPIX/video specialist * CSI imaging specialist * Photo/Studio entrepreneur * Digital Artist * Photographic art director and/or producer

Studio and location Photographer:
Commercial/Industrial
Stock production
Studio and Location Portraiture
Wedding/Ceremony
Sports/Action
Architectural/Landscape
Photo-Restoration/Enhancement
Fashion/Advertising
Photojournalism
Fine Art/Archivist
Photo/Videography
Transfer Preparation

MSJC offers a range of course work to prepare students to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. All four–year institutions prescribe their own standards for course evaluation and admissions. Prospective transfer students are advised to review the MSJC catalog with a counselor to determine which MSJC courses are transferable.
Degree

The major requirement for an Associate of Science degree in Photography may be met by completing the core photography curriculum and any electives totaling 18 units and meeting all other MSJC General Education Option A requirements.

Coursework covers metering techniques, lighting, traditional darkroom techniques, portraiture, fashion, and product photography. You will use 35mm, medium format, and large format cameras and the latest in digital capture and output technology. The complete digital workflow process is covered.

While being occupational and technical in nature, the Photography and Digital Imaging curriculum will encourage your creativity and individualized expression through hands-on assignments and personalized instruction. You will graduate from the program with a professional portfolio and a working knowledge of the professional photographic industry.

You will be required to provide your own 35mm and digital SLR cameras and lenses, professional light meter, supplies, visual curiosity and a desire to learn.

This program has an articulation agreement with the Metropolitan State University and Bemidji State University.

Career Outlook — Photographers are employed in the fields of commercial/advertising, industrial, and portrait photography. Photojournalism is an option, as are employment opportunities in photographic sales and as technical representatives. Graduates can expect to be hired for such positions as studio/location personnel specializing in digital imaging applications.

Career Preparation and Expected Learning Outcomes — After you graduate from the program, most employers will expect you to have:
Fundamental camera skills using all camera formats
Knowledge of film and paper processing methods
Ability to use processing machines, and control color and B/W photographic processes
The ability to arrange subject matter to reflect good composition and to achieve a desirable effect
Ability to achieve the best visual effect using a variety of lighting conditions
Knowledge of the operation and use of studio tungsten and strobe lighting, and the limitations of film in reproduction of images under many lighting situations

Preparation for Admission — The following are required for admission to the program:
A high school diploma or GED
Demonstration of proficiency in basic skills through a course placement assessment

You should have normal color and depth perception, visualization ability, and a well-developed imagination with a talent for visual problem-solving. Characteristics that will contribute to your success in the field of photography include clean work habits and studio maintenance skills. It is essential for you to be able to communicate with customers and professionals from allied fields, such as commercial artists and printers.

This program will transfer to one or more four-year institutions.

Possible Careers:

Digital Media Technician
Digital Output Specialist
Photographer
Photojournalist
Wedding/Portrait Photographer

Related Programs:

Graphic Design
Printing and Publishing
Television and Video Production
Visual Communication/Computer Graphics

For more information, call 414-297-MATC.

Curriculum effective 2008-2009.
TECHNICAL STUDIES
Credits

( ) = Semester Order for Full-Time Students

(1)
PHOTO-101
Fundamental Photography
3

(1)

PHOTO-106
View Camera Techniques ‡
3

(1)

PHOTO-107
Photographic Trends
1

(1)

VICOM-150
Introduction to Digital Media ‡
3

(2)

PHOTO-108
Photographic Lighting ‡
3

(2)

PHOTO-139
Measurement Techniques ‡
3

(2)

PHOTO-141
Color Photography 1 ‡
3

(3)
PHOTO-103
Digital Photography ‡
3

(3)

PHOTO-121
Commercial Photography ‡
3

(3)

PHOTO-124
Portraiture ‡
3

(3)

PHOTO-142
Color Photography 2 ‡
3

(4)

PHOTO-114
Photographic Portfolio ‡
3

(4)

PHOTO-173
Photo Journalism ‡
3

(4)

PHOTO-180
Industrial Photography ‡
3

(4)

PHOTO-190
Photographic Internship ‡
1

GENERAL STUDIES

ECON-195
Economics
3

OR
Any 200-series ECON course

ENG-151 and
Communication Skills 1 ‡
3

ENG-152
Communication Skills 2 ‡
3

OR
ENG-201 and any 200-series ENG or SPEECH course

MATH-123
Math with Business Applications ‡
3

OR
Any 200-series MATH course

NATSCI-167
Science of Technology
3

OR
Any 200-series NATSCI course

PSYCH-199
Psychology of Human Relations
3

OR
Any 200-series PSYCH course

SOCSCI-197
Contemporary American Society
3

OR
Any 200-series SOCSCI or HIST course

ELECTIVE COURSES: Six Credits Required (Suggestions listed below)

PHOTO-102
Introduction to Digital Photography
1

PHOTO-104
Digital Color Management for the Graphic Industry
2

PHOTO-126
Advanced Studio Lighting ‡
3

PHYED-210
An Active Approach to Wellness and Fitness
3

TOTAL CREDITS: 68
‡
Prerequisite Required.