Course Outline of Record

Item	Value
Eff Term	Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	11/12/2025
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
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)
California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)	Cal-GETC 3A Arts (3A)
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)	IGETC 3A Arts (3A)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)	CSU C1 Arts (C1)

Course Description

Instruction in photography as a creative art, emphasizing photography as a means of communication and personal expression. Includes examination of the theory of aesthetics, composition, content, and technical elements of photography, as well as, critical evaluation of student work. Introduces DSLR camera operation and digital imaging techniques. This course is required for the Photography Certificates. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

1. Utilize the fundamentals of visual communication as they apply to the making of digital images.
2. Demonstrate the ability to operate the manual functions on a Digital SLR camera.

Course Objectives

• 1. Create photographs based on an analysis of the application of elements and principles of two-dimensional design in historic and contemporary photography.
• 2. Distinguish and differentiate the historical traditions, cultural functions, and contemporary issues in digital photography.
• 3. Demonstrate skills in the fundamentals of visual communication as applied to the making of digital images.
• 4. Evaluate photographic images and recognize critical aesthetic values.
• 5. Create photographs based on an analysis of the use of aperture and shutter speed settings in historic and contemporary photographic artworks.
• 6. Examine and properly use aperture and shutter speed settings to produce creative effects.
• 7. Analyze various natural and artificial lighting techniques in historic and contemporary photographic artworks, and create photographs based on this analysis.
• 8. Identify and evaluate the parts of the DSLR camera, and explain their function.
• 9. Analyze and properly use DSLR camera controls to achieve accurate exposure, including the use of shutter speed, aperture settings, and light meter.
• 10. Evaluate and describe the procedure for printing digital contact prints and enlargements.
• 11. Analyze and evaluate professional exhibition presentation standards and techniques, and will finish prints based on this analysis.
• 12. Utilize photographic vocabulary and critical theory in the analysis of a photographic book or local exhibition.

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Lecture Content

I. Introduction to photographic theory and criticism.

1. Various photographic genres, including documentary, portraiture, landscape, social commentary, and narrative.
2. Contemporary trends in photography, including performance, installation, and new media.
3. Examination of Historic photographers, including but not limited to; Henri Cartier Bresson, Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Weston, Ansel Adams, Danny Lyons, Diane Arbus, Imogen Cunningham, Gordon Parks, Manuel Alvarez Bravo, and Richard Avedon. Contemporary photographers, including Mike and Doug Starn, Cindy Sherman, Lorna Simpson, Mary Ellen Mark, Andre Serrano, Annie Liebovitz, Barbara Krueger, Nan Goldin, and Jerry Ulesmann.  
4. Visual language and literacy, context in relation to meaning.
5. The elements of photographic criticism, including formal analysis, conceptual analysis, content and context, and historical reference.
6. The form and content of photographic works.
7. Photographic terminology and vocabulary.
8. Historical references, cultural context, and social context of the work.               

II. Anatomy of the camera

1. Aperture/depth of field controls
2. Shutter speed/motion controls
3. ISO settings
4. Light meter function and proper use
5. Lens function
6. Camera handling Camera care  

III. Exposure controls

1. Aperture and shutter speed settings 
2. Equivalent exposure settings and exposure bracketing
3. Correct settings of camera ISO controls
4. Lighting in relation to exposure
5. Image Contrast  

IV. Creative use of camera controls

1. Shutter speed to create stop motion, motion blur, and panning
2. Aperture settings to create selective focus, including shallow depth of field, mid-plane depth of field, great depth of field, and hyper-focal focus
3. Different focal length lenses to change angle of view and perspective
4. Historical and contemporary examples  

V. The elements and principles of photographic composition

1. Rule of thirds
2. Creating visual emphasis
3. Framing and cropping
4. Light and shadow
5. Contrast
6. Historical and contemporary examples  

VI. Color

1. Aesthetics of color
2. Historical perspective of color photography  

VII. Introduction to the digital darkroom

1. Basic computer operations
2. Basic image manipulation using the computer
3. Exposure controls using computer software
4. Contrast controls using computer software
5. Framing and cropping images using computer software
6. Burning and dodging using the computer
7. Basic image retouching, i.e. removing dust   

VIII. Digital printing techniques

1. Relationship of resolution and print size
2. Characteristics of printing papers, including paper finish and archival qualities
3. Printing procedures  

IX. Properties of light

1. Properties of diffused light
2. Properties of direct light
3. Sources of diffused and direct light  

X. Flash and Artificial light 

1. Kelvin Temperature
2. White Balance
3. Aesthetics of artificial light and color temperature
4. History of the strobe
5. Studio lighting   

XI. Print Presentation

1. Introduction to mounting and matting
2. Print display
3. Meaning of presentation in relation to the image
4. Archival preservation standards in digital photography  

XII. Archiving Digital Images

1. Back-Up strategies
2. Long term storage   

XIII. Development of the art of critical analysis

1. Critiques
2. Museum visits
3. Weekly reading assignments

Lab Content

LABORATORY CONTENT (45 Hours)ARRANGED (TBA) LAB CONTENT (45 Hours)

The following content will be covered in a combination of scheduled and TBA lab hours:

1. Orientation

a. Lab procedures

b. Overview of the semester

c. Course materials

d. Purpose and expectations

e. Computer literacy, knowledge critical to digital imaging

2. Image Transfer to Computer

a. Card Readers

b. Folder Organization

c. Image Back Up

3. Adobe Lightroom

a. The Basic Panel

b. Brightness, Contrast, and Color cast adjustments

c. Complete image workflow

4. Contact sheets

a. Image preview and organization

b. Making contact sheets

c. Printing procedures

5. Basic Printing Workflow

a. Preparing a digital file for printing

b. Creating and saving a print file

6. Print Presentation Procedure

a. Materials and Mount Board

b. Image placement and margins

7. Black and White Image Conversion

a. Image Workflow

b. Black and White in the Basic Panel

8. For the remainder of the semester the instructor provides short review demonstrations of techniques covered in the lecture section, 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)
• DE Online Lecture (02X)
• Lab (04)
• DE Online Lab (04X)

Instructional Techniques

1. Demonstration of various approaches to problem solving through lecture, critiques, and projects. 2. Discussion of photographic principles, aesthetic and historical concepts. 3. Instructor and peer feedback through critique of student work. 4. Power Point lectures to highlight historic photographers and references to illustrate concepts and means. 5. Use of DVD or website 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 photographic concepts.

Reading Assignments

Students will read on average 1-2 hours per week from assigned text.

Writing Assignments

Students will write short responses to course work, assigned reading, and a critical essay on a photographic exhibition may be offered as extra credit; students will spend on average 1- 2 hours per week on written assignments.

Out-of-class Assignments

Student will complete all shooting assignments outside of class, and are expected to spend 1-2 hours per week on out-of-class assignments. Student will have access to the OCC Photo Department s digital lab during their scheduled lab time and during open/arranged lab times.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

54

Methods of Student Evaluation

• Midterm Exam
• Final Exam
• Short Quizzes
• Projects (Individual/Group)
• Oral Presentations
• Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills with the production of digital photographic imagery, which will challenge visual, conceptual, and aesthetic skills developed through the course.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Reading assignments are given throughout the class that reinforce important concepts. Through the process of completing course assignments, problem solving skills and technical camera skills are put into practice.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required London,B., Stone,J.. A Short Course in Photography:Digital, 3rd ed. Pearson, 2014

Resources Subscreen

• Textbook: Chavez, Conrad. Adobe Photoshop Classroom in a Book. Adobe Press (2026).
• Software: . Professional Image Editing Software. . . ().

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.