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) LAB CONTENT (45) The lab content 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)

Course Description

Prepares the student for employment in professional portrait photography or management of a portrait photography studio. Topics include studio lighting techniques, studio practices, the variety of specialized services offered by professional portrait photographers, as well as, skin retouching techniques. PREREQUISITE: PHOT A180. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

1. Recognize current trends in portrait photography and professional portraits.
2. Identify and apply a variety of lighting styles, skills in the posing of subjects and skin retouching techniques.
3. Formulate fundamental business strategies of the portrait studio.

Course Objectives

• 1. Produce portraits of professional quality.
• 2. Distinguish the differences between lighting styles.
• 3. Relate lighting techniques to subject and apply accordingly.
• 4. Demonstrate proficiency in basic skin retouching techniques for portraiture.
• 5. Identify importance of emerging digital technologies.
• 6. Demonstrate proficiency in the sales, promotion and business management of a portrait studio.
• Identify how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in Lifestyle and Editorial people photography.

---

Lecture Content

A. Lighting techniques for studio portraiture

B. Posing of groups and individuals

C. Portraiture in black and white

D. Portraiture in color     

E. Wedding photography

F. Large group portraiture

G. High volume portrait promotions

H. Environmental portraiture

I. Corporate/Executive portraiture

J. Publicity photography 

K. Digital technologies currently in use in the portrait industry

L. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Portrait Photography

M. People Retouching with current AI Tools

N. Discuss and practice current basic skin retouching methodologies for portraiture.

O. Organization and operation of a portrait studio

P. Management and business procedures

Q. Specific challenges of the portrait studio

R. Selecting and purchasing equipment

S. Promotion and sales strategies

Lab Content

LABORATORY CONTENT (36 hours) ARRANGED (TBA) LAB CONTENT (45)

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

1- Lighting equipment and set-up demonstrations

2- Posing of individuals and composition

3- Posing and management of groups

4- Demonstration of digital technologies currently in use

5- Studio practice of lighting and production of shoots

6- Multiple light source portraiture and balancing Kelvin

7- Lighting techniques for portraiture Verdana, sans-serif;

8- Lab demonstration of current skin retouching methodologies and artificial intelligence (AI) skin retouching methodologies.

Method(s) of Instruction

• Lecture (02)
• Lab (04)

Instructional Techniques

Discussion of the principles of portraiture and aesthetic concepts. Demonstrations in the studio, classroom and on location. In lab demonstrations of current skin retouching for portraits. Instructor and peer feedback through critique of student work. Use of DVD/Video presentations relating to historical and contemporary trends in portraiture.

Reading Assignments

Students will spend 2 hours per week reading from professional technique periodicals and from selected handouts provided by the instructor.

Writing Assignments

Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills with the production of photographic imagery, which will communicate visually using technical skills, conceptual, and aesthetic ideas developed through the course. These ideas must be supported verbally during critiques. Additionally, students may be asked to write a critical essay on a photographic field visit.

Out-of-class Assignments

Student will complete class photography and assignments designed to reinforce concepts introduced in lecture. Students will work independently 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

• Projects (Individual/Group)
• Problem Solving Exercises
• Oral Presentations
• Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills with the production of photographic imagery that communicates visually using conceptual and aesthetic ideas developed through the course.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills with the production of photographic imagery, which will communicate visually using technical skills, conceptual, and aesthetic ideas developed through the course. These ideas must be supported verbally during critiques. Additionally, students may be asked to write a critical essay on a photographic field visit.

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.