Course Outline of Record

Item	Value
Eff Term	Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	02/11/2026
Top Code	101200 - Applied Photography (CTE)
Units	3 Total Units
Hours	54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours	108
Total Student Learning Hours	162
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	No
Open Entry/Open Exit	No
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S),  Pass/No Pass (B)
Associate Arts Local General Education (GE)	Area 3 Arts and Humanities 3A Theory (OC1)
Associate Science Local General Education (GE)	Area 3A Arts (OSC1)

Course Description

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of smartphone photography, focusing on technical and creative skills. Students will explore exposure, composition, natural versus artificial lighting, and editing applications, with an emphasis on capturing compelling photographs. By the end of the course, students will build a portfolio demonstrating mastery of smartphone-based photographic techniques for personal, artistic, and professional use. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

1. Demonstrate control of exposure and composition using smartphone cameras.
2. Differentiate and apply natural vs. artificial lighting in photographic contexts.
3. Edit images effectively using smartphone applications.
4. Critically analyze photographs for technical and aesthetic quality.
5. Produce a cohesive portfolio highlighting compelling images.

Course Objectives

• Students will utilize their smartphone to create photographs using the features of the smartphone as well as photographic concepts such as exposure, composition, color theory, lighting and storytelling.

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Lecture Content

Week 1 – Introduction to Smartphone Photography

• Course overview, expectations, grading.
• History and rise of smartphone photography.
• Smartphone camera basics: settings, modes, and limitations.

Week 2 – Exposure Basics

• Understanding exposure triangle (ISO, shutter speed, aperture equivalents).
• Smartphone manual/“pro” modes.
• Practicing exposure adjustments.

Week 3 – Composition Fundamentals

• Rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, and negative space.
• Composition strategies.
• Street photography assignment.

Week 4 – Natural Light Photography

• Quality of light: golden hour, midday, cloudy conditions.
• Using reflectors and simple modifiers outdoors.
• Lab: Outdoor photograph implementing the lighting scenarios discussed.

Week 5 – Artificial Light Photography

• Introduction to smartphone-compatible lighting (ring lights, LED panels, flashes).
• Color temperature and white balance.
• Indoor photo session with controlled light.

Week 6 – Portraiture Techniques

• Working with models/friends, posing basics, and candid portraiture.
• Emphasizing emotion and storytelling.
• Portrait series assignment.

Week 7 – Lifestyle Photography

• Capturing moments: food, travel, fashion.
• Creating mood and narrative with context.
• Lifestyle photo assignment.

Week 8 – Midterm Review + Critique

• Group critique of first portfolio submissions (exposure, composition, lighting).
• Midterm reflection paper: Challenges and growth.

Week 9 – Advanced Composition & Creative Angles

• Breaking the rules, experimenting with perspective.
• Forced perspective and creative angle exercise.

Week 10 – Editing Apps I: Fundamentals

• Overview of Snapseed, Lightroom Mobile, VSCO, etc.
• Cropping, exposure adjustments, and color correction.
• Editing photographs.

Week 11 – Editing Apps II: Creative Editing

• Filters, retouching, selective edits, portrait tools.
• Maintaining authenticity and avoiding over-editing.
• Before-and-after editing assignment.

Week 12 – Color Theory & Mood in Photography

• Warm vs. cool tones, complementary colors.
• Using editing to enhance emotional impact.
• Color-based storytelling assignment.

Week 13 – Storytelling with Photography

• Building narrative through a series of images.
• Lifestyle and documentary approach.
• Mini photo story project.

Week 14 – Preparing a Digital Portfolio

• Sequencing, cohesion, captions.
• Platforms: Instagram, Behance, personal websites.
• Start final portfolio project.

Week 15 – Portfolio Workshop & Peer Critique

• One-on-one feedback sessions.
• Refinement of final projects.

Week 16 – Final Presentation & Critique

• Students present portfolios (8–12 curated images).
• Group critique + reflection discussion.
• Course wrap-up.

Method(s) of Instruction

• Lecture (02)
• DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
• DE Online Lecture (02X)

Instructional Techniques

critical analysis, practical application, discussion-based learning, and engagement

Reading Assignments

Students will read approximately 1 hour per week a current periodical or instructor provided information.

Writing Assignments

Students will write approximately 1 hour per week about images shown in class and images they find to be influential.

Out-of-class Assignments

Students will spend 4 hours per week creating images as defined by assignments and weekly course content.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

108

Methods of Student Evaluation

• Midterm Exam
• Short Quizzes
• Written Assignments
• Projects (Individual/Group)
• Problem Solving Exercises
• Oral Presentations
• Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Students will demonstrate their understanding of visual communication through discussion, written assignments, oral presentations and a final project.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students will have weekly writing assignment about images shared in class, as well as images they find to discuss how visual communication is utilized in the images and how these images have impacted and influenced current photography culture.

Resources Subscreen

• Other: . . ().

Eligible Discipline(s)

• Photographic technology/commercial photography: Any bachelor’s degree and two years of professional experience, or any associate degree and six years of professional experience.
• Photography: Master’s degree in photography, fine arts, or art OR bachelor’s degree in any of the above AND master’s degree in art history or humanities OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.