Art Degrees Online

The photography program has, as its underlying basis, the recognition of photography as a unique and elegant blend of science and art which has evolved into one of the most influential media of communication on the planet. As a fine art that works directly from reality and is, therefore, grounded in truth, it is an extremely potent and evocative means of self-expression. As the preferred means of news reportage, it has, since its inception, been the primary force in documenting global events, and, in some cases, even shaping world history. As the medium of choice for product advertising, it accounts for billions of dollars of consumer trade, annually. And now, with the advent of digital photography, the creative power and control of the individual photographer is almost unlimited.

A two-year Associate in Fine Arts degree, or a two-year diploma, is offered for students wishing to prepare for this field. Also, a four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and Digital Imaging has been designed to cover the increased digital needs of our students, as well as to continue to offer the skills, concepts and history of traditional gelatin/silver photography. This program has been carefully designed to accurately mirror the dynamic merger of traditional and digital imagining which is currently evolving in the field.

The BFA program offers the student a unique experience that covers both fine art and commercial photography. Students will be given the opportunity to acquire skills that enable them to choose from many different photo career directions which is currently evolving in the field.

Career opportunities in photography are quite varied, and include portraiture, photojournalism, architectural photography, product photography, wedding photography, photographic processing and printing, and many forms of prepress digital manipulation.

Core technical or occupational classes, as distinguished from general education classes, provide education and training in areas associated with theoretical knowledge, technical skills, occupationally related skills, and associated competencies necessary for the student to achieve the Northwest College of Art program objectives.

These descriptions are typical course offerings that make up our curriculum. They are intended to give you a broad overview of the B.F.A. degree programs. Courses are subject to change at the discretion of the College. Changes may include but are not limited to, course name, title, prerequisite, sequence, schedule, content, or credit value. Changes may occur whenever deemed necessary. Prerequisites may be waived by the Director, Curriculum & Academic Advisor, or the class instructor. Students who began the program prior to Sept. 2008 please refer to catalog supplement A for the appropriate program grid for the date you started the program.
2-D Design: Theory & Application
DT 101 (3 credits)

The 2D Design: Theory and Application course has two goals. The first is to familiarize photography students with the elements and principles of design. This will be accomplished through the application of art theory to specific assigned problems. The second goal is to learn specific ways to think creatively and develop original, innovative ideas. In order to excel as an photographer, knowledge of art theory, while valuable, is not enough. Only by using your knowledge of design in unique and imaginative ways can the student hope to make an impression in any area of the arts. The assignments in this course will involve specific aspects of design and will teach students both the vocabulary and concepts of 2-dimensional design.
3-D Design: Theory & Application
DT 151 (3 credits) · Prerequisite: 2-D Design

This course is an introduction to 3-dimensional design. Studio problems are used to familiarize students with basic design processes, principles and elements of 3-dimensional design. Studio experiences, readings, and written analysis challenge students to explore basic three-dimensional design and color. This course emphasizes a balance between the formal and communicative aspects of design, where students are presented with design problems and are challenged to devise appropriate solutions. Research, problem-solving skills, craft, professionalism and articulate presentations are all important to success in this course.
Advanced Topics in Photography
PT 451 (3 credits) · Prerequisites: Fashion & Lifestyle Photography & Product Photography

This course provides an opportunity for senior level students to focus on particular issues in the field of photography or to study advanced techniques and processes. Faculty, content and prerequisites vary each time the course is offered. The course includes lectures, discussions, individual projects and critiques, depending on the nature of the topic.
Applied Photography
PA 301 (3 credits) · Prerequisite: Photography 2: Advanced B/W Techniques

This course focuses on advanced applied photography in black-and-white with an emphasis on craftsmanship, problem solving and visual communications. This course has a major technical emphasis. Emphasis is placed on the development of the student’s ability to apply creative thinking and contemporary techniques in executing meaningful and effective photographs.
Business Planning & Practices
BP 351 (2 credits)

This course will provide students with a detailed range of basic business skills specific to planning, establishing and maintaining a creative business. Topics include market research, business plan development, legal issues of business start-up, financing, marketing, accounting and invoicing procedures.

This course will cover issues such as protecting and controlling copyrights, negotiating fees and usage rights, quotes, agreements, and invoices, model and property releases, insurance, hiring assistants, renting versus buying, record keeping, travel expenses, getting paid, and work ethics. This course will also review fundamental principles and practices that can be applied to address basic financial issues in the context of contemporary business practices.
Color Theory (for Photography)
CT 251 (3 credits)

Understanding how color is perceived, its ability to express, and its relationship to composition and form are the goals of this class. Through discussion, projects, and critiques, students gain first-hand knowledge of the most relative medium in art. In this class, students will explore various color theories and their uses. Students will create achromatic (gray-scale) charts to understand contrast and range in values of black and white. They will also create color wheels incorporating primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Additionally, color mixing and harmonious, discordant, subjective and objective color arrangements and their application to painting, illustration, design, photography, and environmental usage will be covered.
Commercial Photographic Practices
PC 401 (3 credits) · Prerequisite: Digital Photography 2: Advanced Color Techniques

This course introduces students to conceptual issues, photographic techniques, and creative visual problem solving relevant to commercial advertising. Creative advertising and editorial photography solutions and applications are explored and both historical and contemporary advertising photography campaigns will be discussed and analyzed. Both historical and contemporary studies of photographic composition and style will be explored. In this course, the emphasis in student photographic work will involve producing creative photographic solutions for advertising involving multiple or sequential images.
Contemporary Strategies in Photography: Conceptual Processes
PC 351 (3 credits) · Prerequisite: Photographic Style, Theory, and Analysis

The student photographer will look at ideas expressed in contemporary art/photography such as personal vs. cultural identity; privacy and individuality; the self re-imagined through advertisement, media, and technology. This course considers conceptual strategies such as appropriation, decontextualization, multiplication, systems, collecting, mapping, and surveillance. Students will investigate these and other conceptual practices as means for producing bodies of work. In looking at each other’s work the student photographer will be concerned with developing and refining both critical skills and vocabulary. This course will explore these ideas as a laboratory for testing each student’s own conceptual stance.
Digital Photography 1: Basic B/W & Color Techniques
PB 301 (3 credits) · Prerequisite: Photography 2: Advanced B/W Techniques

This course explores the choices of black and white and color as aesthetic tools in the hands of the photographer. The emphasis of this course is to develop a core understanding of color theory, perception, aesthetics and its application in digital photography.
Digital Photography 2: Advanced Color Techniques
PB 351 (3 credits) · Prerequisite: Digital Photography 1: Basic B/W & Color Techniques

This course continues to explore the use of color as an aesthetic tool in the hands of the creative commercial or expressive photographer. Continuing attention is paid to developing an advanced understanding and skill in the practical application of color theory, perception, aesthetics and the use of alternative color processes in digital photography. This course is designed to allow students to further pursue and resolve ideas and techniques introduced in Digital Photography 1: Basic B/W & Color Techniques. Although emphasis is placed on advanced color printing techniques and aesthetics, students are encouraged to pursue their own personal directions using appropriate tools and techniques.
Drawing 1 (for photography)
DP 101 (3 credits)

Artists should never be forced to make stylistic or aesthetic choices merely to avoid technical limitations. Drawing is a key discipline of the arts and this course encourages the development of skill and the education of the artist’s eye. In this course, students study of basic principles of construction of visual forms; emphasis on line, perspective and shading; students create drawings using the elements of art and the principles of composition. The elements and principles consist of: line, shape, form, value, texture, contrast, emphasis, movement, balance, harmony, structure, design, and more. As students advance, they attempt more challenging projects.
Drawing 2 (for photography)
DP 151 (3 credits) · Prerequisite: Drawing 1

In this class, students continue the process of developing traditional observational drawing skills and explore diverse compositional strategies as they relate to traditional drawing and photography. Objective visual perception, clarity in drawing, and technical facility are stressed. Students are exposed to visual communications, strategies, and design concepts through exposure to art history and the field of contemporary drawing and photography. Drawing as a tool of ideation and communication is emphasized.
Fashion & Lifestyle Photography
PL 401 (3 credits) · Prerequisite: Digital Photography 2: Advanced Color Techniques

This course concentrates on fashion and lifestyle photography and includes location as well as studio lighting techniques. Non-traditional portraiture in out-of-studio locations will also be explored. Strong emphasis is placed on photographic styling, make-up, and use of accessories when and where appropriate.
Fine Art Photography 1: Problems & Projects
PF 401 (3 credits)

In this class, the photographic still life serves as a medium for creative expression and visual experimentation. Tools and techniques particular to the still-life photographer are investigated and demonstrated. The special manipulations explored include possible-choice of lighting, perspective, camera angle, surface propping, set rigging, multiple exposure, front projection and other esoteric techniques-are discussed, demonstrated and applied to assignments. Projects are in a practical vein, relating to actual typical problems that are part of a working studio’s daily life. Assignments investigate the overlapping relationships of fine art, editorial and commercial still-life photography.
History & Aesthetics of Photography 1
PA 201 (2 credits) · Prerequisite: Art Introduction

This course covers the history and aesthetics of photography from 1800 to the present, with special emphasis on the development of photographic seeing, and its related effect on other media. A survey of the numerous processes and how their development affected the image making of particular periods, i.e., daguerreotypes, collotypes, etc. Visual lectures cover topics from surrealism and documentary to conceptual art and post-modernism.
History & Aesthetics of Photography 2
PA 251 (2 credits) · Prerequisite: History & Aesthetics of Photography 1

This course is a continuation of the history and aesthetics of photography from 1800 to the present, with special emphasis on the development of photographic seeing and image making, and its related effect on other media. Photographic integration into other media (eg. as a component of multimedia) is also examined and analyzed.
Imagery & Design: Digital Image Manipulation
DI 251 (3 credits) · Prerequisite: Survey of Digital Art Applications

Students continue to develop image creation and manipulation skills using industry-standard computer applications. Advanced techniques in Adobe Photoshop are introduced. Several comprehensive projects including advanced photo manipulation, and advanced digital illustration work will be included. Additionally, a comprehensive understanding of scanning, resolutions, file management, and image output is expected.
Internship: Photography
IP 451 (3 credits) · Prerequisite: Photography Career Seminar

Internships are an opportunity for upper-level students to earn credit while working, gaining practical experience, and exploring career options in a professional setting. To receive credit students must complete 135 internship hours and meet with the internship advisor through the semester. An internship should provide practical experience in a setting which is relevant to the student’s course of study, such as in a gallery, museum, community art center, photographic studio, etc… Reliability, and professionalism are stressed in this course.
Introduction to Photography: Materials and Processes
PM 101 (3 credits)

This course serves as a basic introduction to the study of how photography works: it is a survey course on the technology of photography, with the emphasis on applications to real photographic problems. Among the topics studied are image formation and evaluation, photosensitive materials, exposure, processing, tone reproduction, visual perception, color theory, variability, quality control and photographic effects.

The course introduces and discusses technical issues such photographic chemistry, the structure of film emulsions and bases, and obscure printing processes such as Platinum, Diazo, and Carbo. Upon this foundation, the course strives to build a conceptual understanding of formal evaluation of image quality given postulates of human visual perception capabilities.
Photographic Portfolio and Marketing Design
PM 451 (3 credits) · Prerequisites: Portfolio: Photography 1

Utilizing the creative process, students will develop a complete marketing package to include personal identity materials, promo cards and a portfolio. Students will incorporate knowledge acquired during the program to target specific markets and develop professional packaging of their work based on the research. The importance of a self-promotional web presence will be emphasized and exactly how to develop an effective web-based portfolio will be a key component of this class.
Photographic Style, Theory, and Analysis
PS 201 (3 credits) · Prerequisite: Introduction to Photography: Materials and Processes

This course introduces students to the language of photographic criticism, theory and critique. Students will learn to analyze, understand, and then to critique photographs through class discussions, critiques, readings, and photographic image making assignments.
Photography 1: Basic B/W Techniques
PB 151 (3 credits) · Prerequisite: Introduction to Photography: Materials and Processes

Exploring introductory and intermediate techniques of exposure, development, scanning and printing of black-and-white film and print materials, this course also is comprised of a special emphasis on tonal control through the creative application of the Zone System. Areas of investigation include film scanning, paper characteristics, developer choice and fabrication, print size, multi filter printing and chemical after-treatment. Further concentration is placed on aspects of design, composition, perception and content in black-and-white photographs.
Photography 2: Advanced B/W Techniques
PB 201 (3 credits) · Prerequisite: Photography 1: Basic B/W Techniques

This course is an introduction to advanced applied photography in black-and-white with an emphasis on craftsmanship, problem solving and visual communications. Further emphasis is placed on the development of the student’s ability to apply creative thinking and contemporary techniques in executing meaningful and effective photographs.
Photography Career Seminar
PS 401 (2 credits)

A field trip class specifically designed for upper level students, Photography Career Seminar investigates the changing face of the photography profession. Focusing on current trends in the marketplace, students will develop a clear and essential view of the processes and practices of their chosen vocation.
Photojournalism
PJ 401 (3 credits) · Prerequisite: Digital Photography 2: Advanced Color Techniques

This course will explore the use of the photographic image in narrative, documentary and editorial form. Issues of public need and publication will be addressed. The emphasis during this class is a personal one: it is all about the photograph, about the act of photographing, and it is about what it means to be a photojournalist.
Portfolio 1: Photography
PT 401 (3 credits) · Senior Status

Students will be required to determine specific career goals, and to develop a proposed direction to take in their creative efforts. They will organize the existing body of their photographic work to facilitate reaching their stated career goals and propose and execute new works to help them to achieve those goals. While students will each propose and develop their own individual projects, the class itself will become a critique and support group meeting wherein the student will receive weekly feedback from the instructor and their peers. Students will be required to develop their critical and diplomatic communication skills, and to participate fully and honestly in the weekly critiques.
Portfolio 2: Photography
PT 451 (3 credits) · Prerequisite: Portfolio 1: Photography

This course is the continuation of the portfolio process initiated in the class Portfolio 1. Special emphasis in this class will be placed upon developing further, and finishing the body of work begun in Portfolio 1. Students will continue to be required to develop their critical and diplomatic communication skills, and to participate fully and honestly in the weekly critiques.
Product Photography
PP 401 (3 credits) · Prerequisite: Digital Photography 2: Advanced Color Techniques

This course emphasizes the preparation, styling, and lighting employed in small product tabletop photography. Students study recent developments in the practice of contemporary product photography. Instruction provides students with a thorough introduction to visual sources that inform projects of their choice. Students produce work specific to course discussions.
Senior Thesis 1: Photography
ST 401 (2 credits) · Senior Status · Prerequisites: Fine Art Photography 1: Advanced Problems & Projects; Commercial Photographic Practices, and Photojournalism

This class is the first of a two-part class structure wherein the student begins development and production of their required senior thesis. Each student applying for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography must complete a thesis as approved by the director of Northwest College of Art and the Senior Thesis instructor(s). The thesis will be comprised of four parts: (1) a body of work consistent with the goals of the student, (2) a written thesis with a research component discussing proposed media, subject, and content of the thesis work, and the student’s future goals; (3) documentation of artwork in the form of slides or computer-generated imagery; and (4) an oral examination given and evaluated by the thesis committee. The final thesis work will be exhibited as part of a graduation exhibition at Northwest College of Art. A thesis committee, consisting of no fewer than three active faculty members, will evaluate each student’s progress. The student must satisfactorily complete each part of the thesis requirements in order to receive a passing grade for the class and to be considered eligible for graduation.
Senior Thesis 2: Photography
ST 451 (2 credits) · Prerequisite: Senior Thesis 1: Photography

This class is the second in a two-part class structure wherein the student develops and produces their required senior thesis. In this class, students continue refinement of their thesis, complete all required components of their thesis, and present an oral defense of their thesis that is evaluated by the thesis committee. The final thesis work will be exhibited during this semester as part of a graduation exhibition at Northwest College of Art.
Studio Lighting Techniques
SL 251 (3 credits) · Prerequisite: Photography 1: Basic B/W Techniques

This course introduces the use of artificial lighting to create photographs in a controlled environment. Lighting techniques are demonstrated and applied in a series of photographic exercises. Both “hot lights“ and electronic flash are used to achieve total control of composition, color, contrast and reflection. Emphasis is placed on the technical mastery of complex equipment, coupled with an aesthetic understanding of the physical principles of light.
Survey of Digital Art Applications
DS 201 (3 credits) · Prerequisite: 3-D Design: Theory & Application

Survey of Digital Art Applications is a hands-on introduction to the diverse and significant resources the computer offers the artist/photographer. This course is designed for students with either very limited or no experience in the computer arts and is designed to facilitate the student’s ongoing development of digital literacy. It sets the technical foundation for future college level use of digital technology. Students gain an understanding of the computer operating system, and attain a working knowledge of several leading applications currently used by computer artists and designers. Through lectures and applied learning a foundation of general understanding, confidence, and skill is formed. Portfolio type projects are assigned as well as short in-class assignments to assess the student’s basic retention and skill level.
Video 1: Introduction to Digital Video
DV 301 (3 credits) · Prerequisite: Imagery and Design: Digital Image Manipulation

This course offers an introduction to the fundamentals of digital video and the creative exploration of the art of moving images. It is a hands-on introduction to the principles and techniques of digital media production: shooting digital video, developing a practical vocabulary of cinematic movement, understanding video lighting and exposure, composition, and the logic of editing. This course begins with a survey the historical and aesthetic development of the medium in order to expand the students’ sense of the possibilities of the medium.
Video 2: Video Production
DV 351 (3 credits) · Prerequisite: Video 1: Introduction to Video

This second video course emphasizes independent video-making techniques, concepts, and production skills. Students explore traditional cinematic and video ideas through structured assignments that emphasize critical visual thinking, narrative development, and encourages the development of an intermediate level of understanding of film (video) structure and language.

Course Code BPH100
Fee Code S1
Number of Assignments 8
Duration (approx) 100 hours

Comment from one of our Introduction to Photography students:

“Glad I signed up” G. Gadja

Throughout this course reference will be made back to our own perception of light through our eyes and the similarities and differences between the eye and the camera. One crucial fact underlies all photography, and for that matter, any “visual recording” medium. That fact is that although many and various technologies can produce images, the quality of those images is eventually judged by our own eyes. They act as a parameter for our technological design.

COURSE STRUCTURE

You will be given instructions throughout this subject guide to do various things … you may be asked to contact an organisation, you may be given something to read, or some information to research. Various tasks will be given to you to develop your knowledge and abilities in photography care. Along with these tasks, you will also be given a number of questions to answer at the end of each lesson. You are required to submit them as an assignment to your tutor.

1. Origins of Photography:

To discuss the principles those underpins photography and examine the evolution into digital technologies.

2. Film

To explain how photographic images are able to be captured on film or digitally. This lesson will also explain how photographic images are able to be captured by digital cameras.

3. Photo Equipment: Cameras

To provide you with a firm understanding of how you can work at improving your capabilities with respect to taking photographs

4. Photo Equipment

To 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

5. Processing/Developing Images

Developing Different Film Types, Processing Solutions, Fixer, Developer, Stop Bath, Fixing, Washing, Wetting Agents, Drying, etc.

6. Enlarging and Photo Manipulation

Describe the process by which photographic film may be enlarged. Also explains techniques that can be used to process digital photographs within a computer to achieve improved or changed images.

7. Lighting

To work more effectively with light when taking photographs.

8. Fault Finding

Common Problems, and how to deal with them.

AIMS
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.

Extract from Course Notes

CAMERA STABILITY

On shutter speeds under 1/125 second, chances of the picture being blurred are high (because of either camera movement or movement of the subject).

EXAMPLE:

If the correct exposure combination on an overcast day for 100 ISO film is F16 and a 30th second, you will risk camera shake.

(NB: When shutter speed or F stop is altered, this doubles or halves the exposure. Both variables thus alter the amount of light entering the camera in the same proportion; but in different ways).

Instead of F16 at a 30th you could choose one of the following:

F11 at a 60th (You determine this by doubling the light via the aperture and halving the shutter speed…the result is the same).
F8 at a 125th of a second
F5.6 at a 250th of a second.

By operating at F8 or F5.6 we can reduce the chance of camera movement.

If you want to freeze movement in a picture (eg: If you are photographing a moving person or animal), the lowest speed you should use is a 125th second.

If there is rapid movement or movement closer to the camera, then the photograph needs to be taken at a higher speed.

To stop a car speeding past at 75 kph for example, you would need a 1000th second whereas if the same car was moving towards or away from the camera a minimum speed of 1/125th would be acceptable.

Everyone’s ability to hold a camera still varies, as does every situation where you photograph moving objects, so despite recommendations, it is only experience which will teach you what minimum speeds you can use in different situations.

What happens when the meter tells you to set F stop at 2.8 and film speed at a 15th second; and F2.8 is our maximum working aperture. We have no choice but to follow the meter’s direction. If we had expected to shoot in dim light, we could have used a faster film (ie. with a higher ISO).

The other option is to hold the camera still and not photograph anything with much movement.

Camera movement can be reduced the following ways:

· Tripod and cable release.
Your finger pushing the shutter button can move a camera on a tripod. By using a cable attachment, you can release the shutter by pressing a plunger in the cable, greatly reducing any chance of camera movement.

· Sit the camera on a solid object.
Sitting the camera on top of a wall, fence, table or some other solid object, and composing your picture from that point.

· Using a timer mechanism to release the shutter.

· If the camera is sitting on a solid object or a tripod, you can set a ten second delay so the shutter releases without you pushing it and risking movement.

· Lean your body against a wall, fence or some other solid object when taking the photograph.
This reduces body movement.

· Stand with your legs apart.
This gives greater stability than with legs close together.

· Breathe out slowly and evenly as you press the button.

Imaginative. Versatile. Proficient. These are the qualities Webster University tries to instill in its photography students.

The students are taught through a hands-on approach that encourages the capability to work in a variety of photographic fields and technical environments. They graduate with a sold grounding in the aesthetic and the communicative aspects of the medium.

Courses are offered in a variety of formats (small, medium and large), materials (black/white and color) and technical environments (chemical and digital). Class sizes are small to ensure maximum access to needed equipment.

Students ultimately concentrate in one area of application, such as photojournalism or commercial/studio photography, making Webster the only university in the area that offers an applied photography degree. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to seek employment with a newspaper, portrait studio or commercial studio; to establish their own freelance operation; or, to move into further specific training such as forensic photography.

On campus, student work often is display in the May Gallery. The gallery was established in 1988 and remains one of the few spaces in the St. Louis area dedicated to showing a wide range of photographic work. It hosts the Annual Juried Student Photography Exhibition, a competitive and respected event.

The Small Wall Gallery, opened in Fall 2000, complements the May Gallery by hosting smaller photographic exhibitions — especially student work, work-in-progress and work that otherwise might not be seen in a gallery setting.

Associate in Arts
Major Code – PHTC.AS

Parallels the first two years of most four-year institutions offering a major in Photography. Students must provide for their own use the following equipment: digital camera (of design approved by instructor), light meter, flash unit and tripod.
Program Requirements
General Education Requirements (42 Semester Hours)
Communication – 9 Hours
Speech
ENGL 1301 – Freshman Composition I
ENGL 1302 – Freshman Composition II
Social/Behavioral Sciences – 15 Hours
Social/Behavioral Science
GOVT 2305 – Government of the United States
GOVT 2306 – Government of Texas
HIST 1301 – History of the United States I
HIST 1302 – History of the United States II
Humanities – 3 Hours
Humanities
Fine Arts – 3 Hours
Fine Arts
Mathematics – 3 Hours
Mathematics
Natural Sciences – 8 Hours
Natural Sciences
Lifetime Fitness – 1 Hour
Lifetime Fitness
Major Course Requirements (9 Semester Hours)
ARTS 2356 – Fundamentals of Photography I
ARTS 2357 – Fundamentals of Photography II
DRAM 2366 – Introduction to Film
Recommended Courses (12 Semester Hours)

Students will be advised for other courses based on the university to which they plan to transfer.

The Bachelor of Arts in Photography is a joint major that prepares students to enter one of the exciting professional photographic fields. By combining courses from the Art Department and the Department of Design, as well as support classes in Journalism and Business, the program equips students aesthetically, technically, and professionally for a future in photography. The program has a curricular emphasis on the visual arts, integrating areas that are particularly valuable to those considering a professional photographic career or continuing in a graduate program. The major is structured to provide students with the skills and understanding to enable them to create images that will stand out among the profusion of photographs in the commercial, editorial or fine art arenas.
Special Features
Sacramento State is uniquely positioned to offer students strong photographic curricula, internships and professional connections. Because of its location in the state capital, students may complete fieldwork with state agencies, museums, professional associations, and news organizations.
Two campus galleries regularly exhibit student work: the Design Gallery on the 4th floor of Mariposa Hall and the Witt Gallery in Kadema Hall.
The Departments of Art and of Design both offer student scholarships.
Among the facilities available for photography students is a large digital lab furnished with Macintosh computers, Epson printers, film, and flat bed scanners. There is also an alternative process lab for platinum/palladium printing, a well equipped darkroom with 4×5 black and white and color enlarging stations, a Hope 20″ color print processor, Wing Lynch film processor, and studio shooting facilities.
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
Requirements – Bachelor of Arts Degree
Units Required for the Major: 48 units
Minimum total units required for the BA: 120
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.
A. Required Lower Division Core Courses (15 units)
(3)
ART 1B
Art in the Western World: From Renaissance to Present

(3)
GPHD 10
Introduction to Digital Design

(3)
INTD 20
Design
(3) PHOT 11 Digital Imaging

(3)
PHOT 40
Basic Techniques of Photography

B. Required Upper Division Core Courses(24 units)
(3)
ART 101
Art Photography

(3)
ART 161
Photography in the Field (PHOT 40 or equivalent)

(3)
ART 162
Alternative Photographic Processes (PHOT 141 or other basic photography)
(3) PHOT 102 Photography, a Social History

(3)
PHOT 111
Intermediate Digital Imaging (PHOT 11 or equivalent or instructor permission)

(3)
PHOT 141
Intermediate Photography, Black and White (PHOT 40)

(3)
PHOT 148
Artificial Light Photography (PHOT 141, PHOT 138, or PHOT 143A)
(3) PHOT 150 Senior Portfolio (senior status, PHOT 11, PHOT 138, PHOT 143A, PHOT 148)

C. Studies in Photography Electives (9 units) ART 108 19th Century Art
ART 109 Modern Art (Upper-division standing and ART 1B or equivalent with instructor approval)

ART 169
Photography Studio (Instructor permission and Department Chair via signed petition form)

ART 163
Pinhole Photography (PHOT 40 or equivalent)

COMS 164
Visual Communication (COMS 100A and COMS 100B or equivalent with a grade of C- or better)

HRS 180
The Film

JOUR 197A
Journalism Laboratory (JOUR 30)

MKTG 101
Principles of Marketing

PHOT 135
Introduction to Photojournalism (PHOT 40 or equivalent)
PHOT 138 Color Photography A (PHOT 11 or equivalent)

PHOT 143A
Intermediate Photography, Color (PHOT 40)

PHOT 155
Advanced Photography (PHOT 141)

PHOT 160
Documentary Photography (PHOT 141)

PHOT 195
Internship in Photography (A minimum of two upper division photography courses)

PHOT 199
Special Problems

Career Possibilities

Photojournalist · Advertising Photographer · Editorial Photographer · Medical Photographer · Educator · Wedding Photographer · Portrait Photographer · Forensic Photographer · Military Photographer · Public Relations · Fashion Photographer · Wildlife Photographer · Stock Photographer · Archaeological Photographer · Photographic Historian · Freelance Photographer · Commercial Photographer · Food Photographer · Architectural Photographer · Videographer · Landscape Photographer

Due to the demanding nature of the laboratory photography courses, it may be inadvisable for students to take more than two laboratory courses in the same semester.

Photography majors usually own or have access to a manually adjustable 35mm single-lens reflex camera and hand-held light meter. Most students will want cameras equipped with normal, wide-angle, and telephoto lens by the time they enroll in Pho 112. Students must supply their own film, photographic paper, and other materials. With the accelerating move towards digital photography in the profession, it is increasingly advisable that Photography students own a good quality digital camera. Students are advised to ask the Photography faculty for guidance in selecting any digital equipment. The University has well-equipped darkrooms and studios and provides a limited amount of other equipment for use by students.

Transfer of credit for Photography courses taken at other institutions may be granted by the University as credit for semester hours; however, transfer students wishing to register for Photography courses more advanced than Pho 111 must consult with the Photography faculty unless transferring from an approved two-plus-two program. Permission to enroll in courses more advanced than Pho 111 will be granted only upon the evaluation of a portfolio of the student’s photographs by one or more members of the photography faculty. This evaluation must take place prior to or during the registration period for the student’s first semester at A&M-Commerce. Substitutions for course requirements may be made only with the approval of the department head. Majors must earn a grade of “C” or better in all Photography courses counted towards degree requirements.

Program Summary
While these courses are often taken for enjoyment and personal enrichment, they may also be taken for skills enhancement and as an introduction to a career as a professional photographer. They provide the technical training needed to produce photographs and to recognize good photography. Students are shown how to be photographers, how to deal with professional photographers, studio darkroom processing in black & white and color, and lighting techniques. Portfolio review is also stressed.

Provided that students meet the necessary prerequisites, courses may be taken individually or as a series to earn a Certificate of Continuing Education in Photography.

Requirements for additional course work can also be met with specialty classes, such as make-up application for photographers, processing film “on the road,” photojournalism, and nature photography, are also available as well as Photoshop and Photoshop with Digital Photography.

Requirements for Award of Certificates in Continuing Education
Basic Photography
Photography: the Basics (or consent of the Program Coordinator)
Black & White Photography I
Black & White Photography II
Lighting Made Simple
12 hours of additional course work, which may include courses which meet the intermediate and advanced requirements)

Intermediate Photography
Certificate of Continuing Education in Basic Photography
consent of the Program Coordinator
Color Photography I
Portrait Photography
Display Techniques for Photographs
Nature Photography or
6 hours of additional course work (may include courses which meet the Advanced Requirements)

Advanced Photography
Certificate of Continuing Education in Basic Photography
consent of the Program Coordinator
Color Photography I (repeated)
30 hours of additional course work which can include:
Make-up for Beauty; Black and White Photography II (repeated); Photojournalism or Nature Photography; Photoshop or Photoshop with Digital Photography; Fiber Print Processing

About the course
The Professional Certificate in Photography builds upon our fantastic reputation and the success of our existing undergraduate and postgraduate photography courses, which have a very high national and international profile.

The knowledge, understanding and skills you will acquire on this course relate directly to professional and work-based practice. You will also develop your photographic skills and expand your critical understanding and knowledge of the contextual aspects of photography.

Students will enter the course with basic digital photographic skills and then study modules designed to help them develop these basic skills to a higher professional level. At the same time they will be challenged to expand their photographic vocabulary.

Benefits
The main focus of this course is not just the expansion of technical skills, it also pays attention to the need to nurture creative and artistic sensitivities, leading students to become stronger image makers.

It is aimed at the practising professional or advanced amateur photographer, and at building and expanding their existing photographic practice and knowledge.

Students will refine established, new, critical and practical skills to develop a well-rounded reflective practitioner approach.

A professional certificate will enable you to:
Experience new and old technologies.
Develop specialist skills.
Critically evaluate historic and aesthetic traditions in light of your own work.
Expand your understanding of professional photographic practice and digital workflow systems.
Produce images that provide imaginative solutions to identifiable needs.

How do you study?
The Professional Certificate in Photography is structured around three, ten credit modules per year, each lasting for a ten week term.

Evening classes allow study to take place in a more flexible manner and can be worked around students’ current work schedules

The curriculum has been designed to teach practicing photographers higher level digital and photographic skills while at the same time encouraging them to fully explore and experiment with the medium, in order to expand their picture making skills.

Each year begins with a module that introduces advanced technical skills. Subsequent modules build on this and broaden learning into other aspects of professional practice.

Year one
Year one will investigate the contemporary stock photography market, encouraging students to evaluate the market potential of their own work and introducing industry-standard digital workflow tools such as Aperture.

Students will explore photography in a more considered way in the studio with associated light and cameras, using both high and low technology.

Within the traditional darkroom, students will learn how to process and print black and white images and work towards making fine prints. There will also be critical analysis of various photographic traditions.

Year two
During the second year students will apply the traditional and digital skills developed in the first year to the production of fine digital prints. They will also explore aspects of the marketing and selling of their work.

Students will also consider different types of genre in photography and start considering the future direction of their practice.

By the final module, there is an emphasis on portfolio enhancement and career development or progression to further study, possibly at postgraduate level. By this stage of the course, the focus is on the development of individual creativity and the identification of future options.

Special features
full access to the School’s photographic equipment stores and laboratories
technical support staff available until 8 pm, Monday to Thursday
latest generation macintosh computer suite (60 workstations)
black-and-white darkrooms
photographic studios (3)
specialist in-house printing bureau
additional library and learning resources
specialist art and design shop
café and social spaces

Selection process
The selection process includes either the submission of a creative portfolio of photographic work or an interview with staff.

The Professional Certificate programme has been developed to provide widening participation entry routes to the School’s postgraduate degrees, particularly for adult learners studying for continuing professional development purposes or taking degrees in a different specialism.

Entry requirements
Entrants will preferably be working with photography, either as professionals, or as skilled amateurs with professional aspirations.

All candidates must demonstrate that they can work to level 3 degree standard, via either a Foundation degree or a Diploma in Higher Education.

The Professional Certificate programme has been developed to provide widening participation entry routes to the School’s postgraduate degrees, particularly for adult learners studying for continuing professional development purposes or taking degrees in a different specialism.

International students who do not speak English as their first language will need an IELTS score of 6, or TOEFL score of 207 (computer based) or 540 (paper based) to be eligible.

171/2 Digital Photography 3
This hands-on course introduces students to digital imaging processes that include camera acquisition and scanning, digital image correction and compositing, and output to print and digital media. Students will explore raster-based image manipulation in Adobe Photoshop. Students gain foundational skills in photographic composition and digital image manipulation as well as a basic understanding of how digital images may be employed in electronic media and art production.

221/2 Black and White Photography 3
In this introduction to black and white film photography, students photograph in the
field and studio while learning to control and manipulate a camera, process film and produce prints in the dark room.
Students will also explore art concepts and elements of visual language in relationship to both past and present photographic practices.

322 Photography Print and Portfolio Workshop 3
This class offer the opportunity for students to develop an artistic vision as expressed through photography. Using advanced digital black and white and color techniques, they will develop a coherent body of work for gallery and web display. Though class demonstrations concentrate on digital techniques and fine archival printing, students may also pursue independent work concentrating in dark room processes.
Prerequisites: PHOTO 171/2 AND PHOTO 371/2.

381 Alternative Photo Processes 3
Students will experiment with alternative acquisition and printing processes. Acquisition methods will cover pinhole, panoramic and infrared processes. Students will print on alternative forms such as art and Japanese papers, metal surfaces, canvas and other media forms. Prerequisites: PHOTO 171/2 AND either PHOTO 221/2 or PHOTO 371/2.

371/2 Color Photography 3
Digital darkroom work and archival printing from color negatives. Topics include image
capture, color theory, image correction and interpretation, color management, digital
output methods and contemporary practices and theory related to color photography.
Prerequisite: PHOTO 171/2.

462 Studio Photography 3
This class explores aesthetic and technical issues related to photography in a studio
environment. Students learn how to create professional lighting setups in relation to
multiple photographic genres including traditional portraits and more
conceptual/experimental approaches to image-making. Prerequisite: PHOTO 371/2.
(Spring 2008)
Photography (PHOTO)

472 Advanced Photoshop Studio 3
Students will study advanced Photoshop techniques with special emphasis on
compositing. Working with these tools students can then focus on printing, on
animation in After Effects or web design. Students will create a unified series of prints,
series of animation or a web gallery of work. Prerequisite: PHOTO 221/2 or PHOTO
371/2.

491/2 Independent Study 1-3