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)

Course Description

This course provides students with advanced techniques in smartphone photo editing and retouching using professional mobile applications. Students will learn how to enhance images for professional and creative purposes while maintaining authenticity. Focus will be placed on skin tone accuracy, consistent visual branding across feeds, color grading, and the fine balance between enhancement and over-processing. The course culminates in a curated, retouched portfolio demonstrating advanced mobile editing mastery. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

1. Master advanced tools in Lightroom Mobile, Snapseed, and VSCO.
2. Accurately retouch portraits with attention to skin tones and texture preservation.
3. Apply color grading to create stylistic yet natural aesthetics.
4. Develop a consistent editing style across a social media feed or portfolio.
5. Critically assess when edits cross into over-processing.
6. Build a cohesive, professional-quality retouched portfolio.

Course Objectives

• Providing students with advanced techniques in smartphone photo editing and retouching using professional mobile applications. Students will learn how to enhance images for professional and creative purposes while maintaining authenticity. Focus will be placed on skin tone accuracy, consistent visual branding across feeds, color grading, and the fine balance between enhancement and over-processing. The course culminates in a curated, retouched portfolio demonstrating advanced mobile editing mastery.

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Lecture Content

Week 1 – Introduction & Workflow

• Course overview and goals.
• Mobile vs. desktop editing workflows.
• Import/export best practices.

Week 2 – Lightroom Mobile Fundamentals

• Interface, selective adjustments, presets.
• Editing raw smartphone files.

Week 3 – Snapseed: Retouching Essentials

• Healing, selective edits, portrait tools.
• Retouch a lifestyle portrait.

Week 4 – VSCO: Aesthetics & Filters

• Using presets to create mood.
• Customizing filters for consistency.
• Re-creating a “signature look.”

Week 5 – Skin Tones I: Accuracy

• Adjusting hue, saturation, luminance (HSL).
• Avoiding unnatural tones.
• Correcting skin under different lighting.

Week 6 – Skin Tones II: Texture & Retouching

• Preserving pores and details.
• Ethical considerations in portrait retouching.
• Subtle retouching assignment.

Week 7 – Color Grading I: Mood & Style

• Warm vs. cool tones, cinematic palettes.
• Applying consistent grading to 3–4 images.

Week 8 – Midterm Project: Mini Portfolio

• Students submit 6 edited images (portraits + lifestyle).
• Group critique & peer feedback.

Week 9 – Color Grading II: Advanced Looks

• Split toning, curves, and custom profiles.
• Create and apply a personalized preset.

Week 10 – Editing for Texture & Depth

• Enhancing sharpness, clarity, and detail without artifacts.
• Food/product image enhancement.

Week 11 – Consistency Across Feeds

• Building a cohesive aesthetic on Instagram/TikTok.
• Mock feed curation (9-image grid).

Week 12 – Avoiding Over-Processing

• Recognizing “overdone” editing (HDR, over-smoothing).
• Industry standards for authenticity.
• Before/after comparison critique.

Week 13 – Creative Editing Approaches

• Experimental edits for storytelling.
• Blending traditional and modern aesthetics.
• Creative portrait series.

Week 14 – Advanced Editing Workflow Integration

• Combining Lightroom, Snapseed, and VSCO.
• Multi-app workflow exercise.

Week 15 – Portfolio Workshop

• Students refine final project.
• One-on-one instructor consultations.

Week 16 – Final Presentation & Critique

• Students present final portfolio (10–12 edited/retouched images with consistent style).
• Class critique + reflection.

Method(s) of Instruction

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

Instructional Techniques

Lectures, online resources, reading materials provided by instructor, one on one meetings, critiques, discussion questions, demonstration videos and links.

Reading Assignments

Students will spend approximately 2 hours a week reading from materials provided by the instructor.

Writing Assignments

Students will spend approximately 1 hour a week writing about varying topics from materials provided by the instructor.

Out-of-class Assignments

Students will spend approximately 3 hours a week creating imagery to complete required course work.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

108

Methods of Student Evaluation

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

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

This course integrates visual literacy and critical thinking to enhance students’ ability to create and analyze images using smartphone technology.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students will spend approximately4-6 hours a week reading, writing and creating imagery to complete required course work.

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.