Careers in the Creative Arts
Commercial Photography
AAS-T Degree or Certificate
Program Curriculum
| 1'st Quarter | Cr | |
| IMC 297 | INTEGRATED MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS I | 5 |
| Project-based three-quarter course. Includes the design and production of a magazine, and provides beginning students with design and business principles, writing, computational and teamwork skills. For students in the disciplines of Apparel Design & Services, Graphic Design & Illustration, Commercial Photography, and Publishing Arts. | ||
| PHO 111 | CAMERA TECHNIQUES I | 4 |
| Learn the function and operation of a large format 4x5 view camera, 210 mm lens, tripod, exposure meter and other equipment needed to operate it. Study the function and operation of the camera controls: swings, tilts, rise and fall, angle of coverage and image circle of the lenses, apertures and shutter speeds. Addresses light meter functions and methods and techniques of determining proper film exposures. | ||
| PHO 121 | LIGHTING TECHNIQUES I | 4 |
| Covers basic concepts of two-dimensional lighting: the laws, principles and professional practices with light, including direct/indirect sunlight and tungsten light sources. Emphasizes lighting for form, texture and separation with basic three-dimensional objects. Includes light safety procedures in a studio environment and with tungsten lighting equipment. | ||
| PHO 131 | DARKROOM TECHNIQUES I | 3 |
| Explore darkroom procedures and equipment, including safe use of processing facilities, chemicals, developers, stop baths and fixers. Learn various films, film and paper speed, film development, print processing, contact printing, enlarging, working with variable contrast photographic papers, print finishing, dry mounting and presentation techniques. Experiment with alternative photographic methods and basic darkroom manipulation. | ||
| 2'nd Quarter | Cr | |
| IMC 298 | INTEGRATED MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS II | 7 |
| Project-based three-quarter course. Includes the design and production of a magazine, and provides beginning students with design and business principles, writing, computational and teamwork skills. For students in the disciplines of Apparel Design & Services, Graphic Design & Illustration, Commercial Photography, and Publishing Arts. | ||
| PHO 112 | CAMERA TECHNIQUES II | 3 |
| Continue learning the use and operation of the large format 4x5 view camera. Develop additional skills in view camera control, adjustments and lenses with emphasis on perspective and distortion control. Emphasis on commercial photography studio assignments. Learn to assist a photographer through teamwork. | ||
| PHO 122 | LIGHTING TECHNIQUES II | 4 |
| Study advanced tungsten lighting techniques and light controls. Covers sensitive lighting techniques such as the relationship between the light sources and subject positioning in classic portraiture. Includes studio set-building skills. | ||
| PHO 125 | PHOTOGRAPHY LAB WORKSHOP | 3 |
| Semi-supervised and non-supervised laboratory sessions. Students work on individual and class assignments, and on experimental projects of special interest. | ||
| PHO 132 | DARKROOM TECHNIQUES II | 3 |
| Explore advanced means of contrast control including the Zone System. Study film processing techniques for multiple film formats. Develop advanced skills in black and white photography, film testing and evaluation. | ||
| 3'rd Quarter | Cr | |
| IMC 299 | INTEGRATED MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS III | 6 |
| Project-based three-quarter course. Includes the design and production of a magazine, and provides beginning students with design and business principles, writing, computational and teamwork skills. For students in the disciplines of Apparel Design & Services, Graphic Design & Illustration, Commercial Photography, and Publishing Arts. | ||
| PHO 126 | PHOTO LAB WORKSHOP II | 3 |
| PHO 211 | PHOTO ILLUSTRATION I | 4 |
| Intro to food, product, catalog, and merchandise photography. Incorporate lighting and design expertise and apply these skills to fit simulated design, advertising and editorial situations. | ||
| PHO 215 | ADVERTISING PRODUCTION | 4 |
| Focus on the whole advertising production cycle, including project-oriented commercial output and current business practices. Emphasis on synthesized research, pre-production, planning, problem-solving, business practices and technical execution for commercial advertising photography. Learn the roles in the advertising production process. | ||
| PHO 231 | COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY I | 4 |
| Intro to basic concepts of color theory and color photography, E-6 (positive) films and E-6 chemistry. Learn the Norman 200 and 400 electronic flash units and the theory of electronic flash. Includes in-studio assignments. | ||
| 4'th Quarter | Cr | |
| PHO 210 | DIGITAL IMAGING | 3 |
| Intro to the creative and technical requirements of digital imaging using PhotoShop. Covers photographic retouching, enhancement and image composition including color prepress requirements. Learn to enhance, color correct, and create special effects. Explore the use of boundary and soft edge for precise control. | ||
| PHO 221 | ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES | 3 |
| Covers darkroom and shooting in b/w and color for publicity, promotion and public relations. Stresses the portable strobe light. Refines b/w 35mm and medium format techniques. May cover multiple printing, montage, sandwich printing, texture screens, vignetting, and diffusion. | ||
| PHO 225 | DIGITAL CAPTURE | 3 |
| Learn the technical skills involved in digital capture. Operate small, medium and large-format digital cameras and study various lighting techniques. | ||
| PHO 232 | COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY II | 3 |
| Continuation of PHO 231. Intro to Vericolor and Kodacolor negative films, C41 (negative color) films and processing chemicals., and Ektacolor printing, chemicals and papers. Includes ?Chromazones?, a lighting technique using controlled color filters; photographing through textured glass; photographing a precise layout; and catalog and product illustrative techniques. | ||
| PHO 244 | DIGITAL IMAGING | 4 |
| Apply the creative and technical requirements of digital post production of the photographic image. Covers analog and digital image-capture with the hardware and software used for digital input and output. Emphasis on developing production workflows. | ||
| 5'th Quarter | Cr | |
| PHO 213 | PHOTO ILLUSTRATION III | 4 |
| Emphasizes student problem-solving under a variety of difficult design, conceptual and deadline situations. Produce industry standard quality work from class assignments which are designed to be used by parties outside the classroom. | ||
| PHO 226 | PHOTOGRAPHIC LABORATORY WORKSHOP IV | 3 |
| A semi-supervised, non-instructional day. Work on class assignments and projects or independent study and research. | ||
| PHO 233 | COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY III | 4 |
| Explores specific problems in the application of color materials. | ||
| PHO 243 | PORTRAITURE I | 3 |
| Covers management techniques used in the operation of a professional imaging facility. Emphasizes developing business, marketing, and merchandising plans. Visit local imaging facilities to see management and operations. Establish and operate a working business model. | ||
| PHO 281 | PORTFOLIO PREPARATION | 4 |
| Covers basic methods used to present a photographic portfolio to a prospective employer or client. Includes types of portfolios, content, presentation variations, print mounting techniques, and formatting methods for color transparencies and slides. Produce one photograph per week of portfolio quality. | ||
| 6'th Quarter | Cr | |
| PHO 214 | CATALOGUE PRODUCTION | 4 |
| Continue to explore techniques using color materials with various camera formats. Create quality images for a 4-page catalog layout. Explore photographic options while developing a personal photographic style. In a studio environment produce an individual mini-catalog, using traditional and digital photographic techniques. | ||
| PHO 234 | PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS PRACTICES I | 3 |
| Intro to small business management with an emphasis on the professional business practices common to commercial photography. Includes entrepreneurial practices, market research and analysis, business forms and software. | ||
| PHO 245 | NEW MEDIA | 3 |
| Broaden understanding of image editing techniques and processes including advanced retouching, layering, masking and types of color adjustment as they apply to basic web design. Create and publish a basic website using image editing and design software. | ||
| PHO 291 | INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS | 4 |
| Continuation of PHO 281. Produce a weekly project to be used in the final portfolio. Reviews ASMP Professional Business Guide, including assignment photography, stock pictures, form agreements, the photographer | ||
| Total Credits = 105 | ||
NOTE: This curriculum is being revised. Please check with the Communications and Design Division Office at (206) 934-3830 for current information.
Students must maintain a grade of 2.0 or better in every class to remain in this program.
In order to receive a two-year degree in this program from Seattle Central Community College, all students will be required to complete the following additional requirements:
Related Instruction Course 12 credits
Related instruction courses are those offered in areas related to the student's major area of study. For this program, related-instruction courses would be chosen from the following:
- Courses in other visual arts programs
- Courses in business-related areas
- Courses in the arts or liberal studies
- Other courses approved by the Dean, Communications and Design Division