PHOT A120H: Introduction to Photography Honors
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Eff Term | Fall 2026 |
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 12/03/2025 |
| Top Code | 101200 - Applied Photography (CTE) |
| Units | 3 Total Units (Lecture Units 1.5; Lab/Other Units 1.5) |
| Hours | 108 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 27; Lab Hours 81) |
| Total Outside of Class Hours | 54 |
| Total Student Learning Hours | 162 |
| Arranged Hours | Arranged (TBA) Content (45 hours) The content listed above will be covered in a combination of scheduled and TBA lab hours. |
| 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),
|
| Associate Arts Local General Education (GE) |
|
| Associate Science Local General Education (GE) |
|
Course Description
Introduction to the processes, principles, and tools of photography. Topics include the development of technical and aesthetic skills, elements of design and composition, camera technology, materials and equipment, and contemporary trends in photography. Discussion and demonstration of basic black & white 35mm photography. Instructions in the theory and technique of camera use, processing film, and making enlargements. Emphasis on the historical development of photography and its use as a means of communication, personal expression and on the critical evaluation of student work. Enrollment Limitation: PHOT A120; students who complete PHOT A120H may not enroll in or receive credit for PHOT A120. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Identify and execute a variety of basic darkroom techniques.
- Demonstrate the ability to operate the manual functions on a 35mm camera.
Course Objectives
- Use the controls of a 35mm camera.
- Gain a basic understanding of the technological history of photography.
- Gain a basic understanding of the changing aesthetics in history of photography.
- Gain a basic understanding of the relationship of their images in relation to the history of photography.
- Select proper exposures and expose film accordingly.
- Develop the skills to process film and produce good quality negatives.
- Develop the skills to print enlargements of good quality.
- Practice basic darkroom procedures and safety issues.
- Create and evaluate photo images and recognize critical aesthetic values.
- Demonstrate skills in the fundamentals of visual communication as applied to the making of images.
- Distinguish and differentiate the social, historical, and cultural functions of photography.
- Apply the elements and principles of design in finished photographs.
- Create a portfolio of work demonstrating formal, conceptual, and technical development.
- Produce photographs skillfully utilizing photographic tools, materials, and processes, including camera controls, image exposure, image processing, printing, and presentation.
- Examine and describe historical and contemporary trends, language, aesthetics and emerging media in photography.
- Analyze and describe the role of photography in contemporary culture and media.
- Safely handle and maintain photographic equipment and materials.
- Evaluate and critique photographic images utilizing relevant terminology and concepts.
Lecture Content
1. Orientation
a. Course objectives
b. Overview of the semester
c. Course materials
d. Purpose and expectations
2. Basic picture taking
a. History and development of the camera
b. Camera controls and exposure
c. Lab procedures
3. Contact printing and enlarging
a. The negative- a technical history
b. Darkroom procedures
c. Aesthetics in relation to printing
4. Light meters and negative exposure
a. Lighting in relation to exposure
b. Reading the negative
c. Exposure estimation without a meter
d. Historical role of the Zone System
5. Contrast control
a. Kinds of light
b. Density vs. contrast
c. Contrast in relation to image idea
d Filters and papers; dodging and burning
e. History of the print.
Silver and non-silver processes
6. Depth of field
a. Techniques for control
b. Uses for visual communication
c. Hyperfocal dist ance
d. History and aesthetics of depth of field
7. Motion/blur
a. History and aesthetics of stop action and blur
b. Methods of control
c. Stop action vs. depth of field
8. Flash and artificial light
a. History of the strobe
b. Studio lighting
c. Aesthetics of artificial light
9. Films and developers
a. Exposure
b. Grain and speed
c. Filters
d. From paper to gelatin. A history of film.
10. Print finishing and presentation
a. Meaning of presentation in relation to the message
b. Spotting and mounting
c. Archival preservation
d. Aesthetics of print presentation
11. Visual communication
a. The photographic image
b. Context in relation to meaning
c. Visual language
d. The concept of truth in photographic representation
12. Portraiture
a. People as subject matter
b. Self portrait
c. Lighting a esthetics
d. History of the portrait and self-portrait
13. Color
a. Aesthetics of color
b. Historical perspective
c. Technical considerations
d. Positive transparencies
14. History of photography
a. Genres of photography
b. Fine art photography
c. International perspective
15. Darkroom manipulations
a. Historical overview
b. Solarizations, applied color, high contrast materials
c. Multiple imagery and collage, Polaroid materials
16. Digital photography
a. New tool or new medium?
b. Advantages and disadvantages in relation to silver based photography
c. The digital darkroom
d. Manipulations
17. Elements and principles of design as they relate to photography.
18. Concept development and project based approaches to photography.
19. Photographic tools, materials and processes, including camera controls, image exposure, image manipulation, processing, and printing.
20. Safe handling, maintenance, and appropriate use of photography equipment and materials.
21. Historical and contemporary trends, language, aesthetics and emerging media as they relate to analog and/or digital photography.
22. Group and individual critiques of photographic images utilizing relevant terminology and concepts.
Lab Content
Laboratory Content (36 hours) Arranged (TBA) Content (45 hours)
The following content will be covered in a combination of scheduled and TBA lab hours.
1. Lab orientation
2. Film Developing
a. Loading film onto reels
b. Function of each step of the chemical process
c. Develop a roll of film
3. Making contact sheets
a. Introduction to the use of an enlarger
b. Setting up to make a contact sheet
c. Processing contact sheets in trays
d. Processing contact sheets in the processing machine
4. Making a black and white print I
a. Use of contrast filters
5. Making a black and white print II
a. Dodging
6. Making a black and white print III
a. Burning
7. Mounting a print
a. Types of mounting board
b. Selecting the right mounting board
c. Using the dry mount press.
8. Wet-lab film development and darkroom printmaking.
9. Assignment covering photographic tools, materials and processes, compositional techniques and principles, camera controls, and image exposure.
10. Group and individual critiques
11. For the remainder of the semester the instructor works individually with students as they refine and perfect the above techniques, and complete assignments given in the lecture section of the course.
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- Lab (04)
Instructional Techniques
1. Demonstration of various approaches to problem solving through lecture and critiques. 2. Discussion of photographic principles and aesthetic concepts. 3. Instructor and peer feedback through and critique of student work. 4. Slide lectures to illustrate concepts and means. 5. Use of film and or video presentations relating to historical and contemporary ideas. 6. Interactive computer lectures to illustrate use of the computer as a creative tool. 7. Field trips may be made to illustrate shooting concepts.
Reading Assignments
Weekly readings covering aesthetic and conceptual approaches to photography.
Writing Assignments
Students will complete short reports from assigned readings and one written response to a gallery exhibition.
Out-of-class Assignments
Student will complete all shooting assignments outside of class. Student will have access to the OCC Photo Department s lab during their scheduled lab time and during open lab times.
Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended
54
Methods of Student Evaluation
- Midterm Exam
- Final Exam
- Short Quizzes
- Written Assignments
- Essay Examinations
- Report
- Projects (Individual/Group)
- Oral Presentations
- Skills Demonstration
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills through completing assignments which challenge them both technically and conceptually. Each assignment will present the student with decisions to make with regard to the selection of appropriate subject matter as well as the quality of the finished prints.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
These ideas developed through challenging class projects will be reinforced and must be expressed in class critiques of student work, as well as, in presentations and discussions of works made by notable practitioners from the history of photography. Additionally, students will write a critical essay on a photographic exhibition and short responses to assigned readings. Portfolio of completed work. Group and individual critiques in oral or written formats. Written assignments, which may include quizzes, essays, exams, or reports.
Resources Subscreen
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Eligible Discipline(s)
- 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.