Photography

The Photography Program offers quality instruction based on design principles with fine art and commercial applications. The Program covers traditional, film based photography; digital photography; digital editing and output; and photographic lighting.

Traditional Photography

Traditional, film based photography is offered on five levels from beginning through advanced projects. Although the emphasis is on fine art, black and white exhibition quality photography, color film and commercial applications are addressed through out all levels.

Students are required to have a single lens reflex (SLR) 35mm film camera with manually adjustable aperture, shutter speed and focus to complete the assigned projects. Fully automatic, “point and shoot” and digital cameras do not meet the requirements for these courses. Students will also provide some of their own supplies including film, photographic papers, and presentation materials.

These are concentrated courses that require considerable dedication by the student. The average student dedicates approximately nine hours per week to these courses in addition to classroom hours.

Digital Photography

Digital photography is offered on three levels, beginning, intermediate, and advanced. The emphasis in these courses is on commercial, color applications but fine art and black and white applications are also addressed throughout all levels. Students are required to use a single lens reflex (SLR) digital camera with manually adjustable aperture, shutter speed and focus to complete the assigned projects. Adobe© Photoshop© courses are required as prerequisites at all levels.

Digital Editing and Output

The Adobe© Photoshop© digital image-editing program is taught on the beginning and intermediate levels. These courses are prerequisites or co-requites for many art courses with a digital emphasis. In addition, courses in digital imaging, supporting the Graphic Design degree program, and digital photomontage, supporting the Fine Arts degree program, are available.

Digital output is taught for both fine art and commercial applications. Digital Pre-press covers the commercial output processes while Digital Printing Technology addresses fine art output with an emphasis on giclée prints.

Photographic Lighting

The Photographic Lighting course is designed to support both the traditional and digital approach to our program. The emphasis is on commercial applications but fine art applications are also addressed. Students may use traditional film and/or digital cameras and output in this class.