Course Outline of Record

Item	Value
Eff Term	Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	12/03/2025
Top Code	101200 - Applied Photography (CTE)
Units	3 Total Units
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 hrs. The content above will be covered, practiced and expolored.
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)

Course Description

A course on professional digital techniques for emerging digital photographers. A strong technical basis will be introduced, but primary orientation will be toward solving practical problems in professional digital photography. Areas covered will include advanced post-production practices, simulating professional working situations, and professional digital methodologies. PREREQUISITE: PHOT A180. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

1. Identify techniques in professional digital photography.
2. Demonstrate the ability to use professional post-production techniques in various commercial and professional situations.

Course Objectives

• 1. Apply professional digital retouching techniques to images.
• 2. Identify professional post-production Practices.
• 3. Demonstrate use of Wacom Tablets.
• 4. Demonstrate and apply a thorough knowledge of the digital zone system.
• 5. Demonstrate knowledge of camera raw applications.
• 6. Discuss the medium of digital photography and its wide uses in art, science, industry and business.
• 7. Discuss current professional digital trends in the field of professional and commercial photography.
• 8. Discuss current professional digital trends in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in professional and commercial photography.

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Lecture Content

1.Introduction

a. Grading

b. Requirements

c. Advanced Blending Modes

d. In depth outline of each blending mode

e. When and how to appropriately choose your blending modes

f. Appropriate layer structure: naming and grouping                          

2. Smart Objects  

a. Camera Raw to image finals. 

3. Self Promotion Design and Layout

a. Choosing and creating your identity

b. Photoshop and text Photoshop and small media layouts: promo pieces, micro-folios, business-cards

c. The photographers Website

d. Optimizing files for online viewing  

4. Digital Technician Workflow  

a.Equipment at home, in studio, and on location

b. Studio and on location tethered photo shoots

c. Post Production workflow for the emerging digital technician.  

d. Common capture software used in professional photography.  

5. Skin/People/Portrait Retouching Techniques  

6. Advanced compositing and HDR

a. Manual image composting with mixed lighting

b. Advanced Layer Masking

c. Image compositing with Merge to HDR

d. Tone Mapping  

7. Artificial Intelligence

a. Explore AI applications in photography, including generative imaging, intelligent editing, automated tagging, and ethical image synthesis

b. Hands-on projects using accessible AI tools (e.g., Adobe Firefly, DALL·E, Midjourney, and Lightroom’s AI masking features) 

c. Critically assess with how machine learning reshapes composition, lighting, and post-production workflows

d. Discuss creative agency, artistic potential, authorship, and digital ethics, the current limitations of AI

8. Panoramic capture and stitching techniques

a. On Location panoramic shooting

b. Overview of Panoramic software and equipment

c. Output cylindrical, spherical, QTVR for print and web  

9. Advanced Black and White techniques

a. The zone system in a digital world  

10. Digital Asset Management

a. Comprehensive overview of cr eating and managing your photo archive  

11. Large Format Output Advanced Photoshop techniques for large-scale images

b. Field trip to printing facilities 

12. Guest lecturers to discuss professional workflow, pre-press, and printing.

Lab Content

Laboratory Content (81 hrs) Arranged (TBA) Content (45 hrs)

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

1. Lab Orientation

a. Lab Policies and Procedures

b. Course Materials

c. Purpose and expectations.

2. Professional Image Editing Workflow

a. Practice appropriate layer structure: naming and grouping.

b. Practice using advanced Blending Modes on student images as part of assignment work.

c. Directed demonstration on how to appropriately choose a blend mode.

3. Smart Objects

a. In depth demonstration of Smart Objects in Adobe Photoshop with student participation.

b. Practice the appropriate use Smart Objects on student s images.

4. Directed demonstration and open practice in the use of current digital Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.

a. Generative imaging, intelligent editing, automated tagging, and ethical image synthesis will be practiced. Current accessible AI tools (e.g., Adobe Firefly, DALL·E, Midjourney, and Lightroom’s AI masking features) will be utilized.

5. Introduction to Medium Format Digital Capture

a. Camera demonstration.

b. Software demonstration.

c. Demonstration of real world photo industry scenarios.

6. Skin Retouching Techniques.

a. Demonstration of advanced skin retouching techniques.

b. Student practice and of skin retouching techniques on assignment images.

7. Advanced HDR Techniques a. Demonstration of advanced HDR techniques.

b. Solving challenges associated with HDR compositing.

c. Student practice and of HDR techniques on student assignment images.

8. Panoramic Stitching Techniques

a. Directed practice in applying panoramic stitching techniques.

b. Students apply techniques to student assignment images.

c. Students are presented challenges and practice troubleshooting.

9. Professional Black and White Workflow

a. Directed practice of concepts presented in class.

b. Students apply techniques to assignment images.

10. Digital Asset Management as a practice.

a. Review of Adobe Lightroom software.

b. Practice of asset management using a software solution, Adobe Lightroom.

c. Students set up an external hard drive.

11. Large Format Printing

a. Demonstration of large format printing.

b. Students print using assignment images.

12. Guest Speakers, Demonstrations, and Seminars

a. Guest speakers will demonstrate professional digital techniques in lab.

b. Students demonstrate the techniques demonstrated.

Method(s) of Instruction

• Lecture (02)
• DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
• DE Online Lecture (02X)
• Lab (04)
• DE Live Online Lab (04S)
• DE Online Lab (04X)

Instructional Techniques

1.   Demonstration of various approaches to problem solving through lecture and critiques.       2.   Discussion of digital photographic principles and aesthetic concepts.       3.   Instructor and peer feedback through and critique of student work.       4.   Digital presentations to illustrate concepts introduced.       5.   Use of Internet based presentations relating to historical and contemporary ideas.       6.   Interactive computer demonstrations to illustrate the use of the computer as a creative tool.       7.   Field trips and demonstrations to illustrate concepts.

Reading Assignments

Students will spend 2 hours reading assigned from professional technique periodicals.

Writing Assignments

Students will spend 30 minutes per week writing reports on a photographic field visits,  short responses to class assignments and written proposals for assignment work.

Out-of-class Assignments

Student will spend 4 hours completing class photography and assignments designed to reinforce concepts introduced in lecture. Students will work independantly in studio and outside of class to meet assignment requirements. Student will utilize the digital lab to complete exercises that use problem solving situations related to assignment work.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

54

Methods of Student Evaluation

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

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

1.     Photographic assignments.2.     Critiques of assignments and presentations.3.     Oral defense of conceptual reasoning.4.     Written exams.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students projects will include written project proposals that will require them to use critical thinking by dealing with challenges presented by project clients. They will demonstrate skills by completing assignments successfully.

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.