PHOT G190: Digital Photography 1

Course Outline of Record
Item	Value
Eff Term	Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	11/18/2025
Top Code	101100 - Cinematography
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)
Local General Education (GE)	Area 3 Arts and Humanities (GC)

Course Description

This course will introduce students to the historical and technical fundamentals of the processes, principles, and tools of digital photography and digital imaging. This course also introduces the development of personal artistic expression and visual perception. Students will gain experience related to digital camera controls, exposure, lighting, content, color, and composition. Students will also be introduced to the basics of digital imaging, including printing, presenting, and image editing. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

Demonstrate the ability to shoot, edit, and print a digital photograph.
Formulate criticisms of digital photographs utilizing photographic terminology and concepts.
Apply the elements and principals of design in a well-composed digital photograph.

Course Objectives

Use digital camera functions such as accurate shutter speeds, aperture settings, and exposure levels in the production of digital files for photographic prints.
Apply the principles of composition and elements of design to the process of creating and editing digital images.
Evaluate digital images as a form of visual communication using relevant terminology and concepts.
Prepare digital files for a variety of printing and delivery methods.
Examine the role of digital and print photography in historical and contemporary culture.
Produce digital images with a variety computer-aided methods of editing.
Create a portfolio of digital photographs demonstrating formal, conceptual, and technical development.

Lecture Content

History of Photography
1. Camera obscura through modern image-making devices
2. Heliography
3. Daguerreotype
4. Wet Collodion, Ferrotype, and Ambrotype
5. Carte-de-Visite
6. Early social documentary (ex. Jacob Riis and Lewis Hine)
7. Color Photography
8. Modern evolution of the image
Introduction to Digital Image Editing
1. Adding text to images
Elements of Design and Principles of Composition
1. Historical examples of effective composition
Camera Controls
1. Operating the shutter
2. Operating the aperture
3. Basic camera maintenance
Lighting
1. Light quality
2. Metering
3. Diffusion
4. Additive and subtractive color
5. Filtration
6. Light schematics
7. Brightness ratio
Presentation
1. Archival materials
2. Mounting of digital images
3. Over-matting
4. Storage of presentation materials including the creation of a stable photo album

Lab Content

Camera Controls
1. Shutter
2. Aperture
3. Other adjustable digital camera controls
4. Using various lenses
5. Other auxiliary equipment and tools
Compositional Techniques and Principles
1. Elements of design
2. Principles of composition
3. Balance
4. Rhythm
5. Perspective
6. Repetition
7. Framing
Exposure
1. In-camera exposure
2. Bracketing
3. Cropping
Basic Digital Image Editing Techniques
1. Editing raw files
2. Controlling elements of the image
  1. Highlights
  2. Shadows
  3. Exposure
  4. Contrast
  5. Color
3. Using selective adjustments
  1. Clarity
  2. Texture
  3. Sharpness
Digital Image Management
1. Folder organization
2. Labeling and viewing
3. Tracking images
4. Compression and file size
Digital Image Storage
1. Solid-state drives
2. Flash drives
3. Hard drives
4. Cloud-based options
Digital Image Output and Delivery
1. Color management
2. Exploring paper surfaces
3. Print quality
Group and Individual Critiques

Method(s) of Instruction

Lecture (02)
Lab (04)

Instructional Techniques

Reading Assignments

Articles, handouts, and textbook readings.

Writing Assignments

Written assignments may include quizzes, essays, exams, or reports. Students will write a critical review after visiting a photography exhibition using appropriate photographic terminology including interpretations of meaning, references to art movements, and aesthetics.

Out-of-class Assignments

Students will complete some digital photo shooting assignments outside of class. Students will visit a photography exhibition and write a critical review using appropriate photographic terminology including interpretations of meaning, references to art movements, and aesthetics.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

Methods of Student Evaluation

Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Short Quizzes
Written Assignments
Essay Examinations
Objective Examinations
Report
Projects (Individual/Group)
Problem Solving Exercises
Oral Presentations
Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Students will solve specific digital photo shooting assignments involving principles of camera operation and around visual problems such as color and composition in the form of a successful print. Students will critique each other's work orally.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Resources Subscreen

Textbook: Barbara London and Jim Stone. A Short Course in Photography: Digital. Pearson (2018 (Classic)).
Textbook: Bruce Warren. Digital Photography. Cengage (2012 (Classic)).
Textbook: Robert Hirsch. Light and Lens: Photography in the Digital Age. Routledge (2022).
Open Education Resource: Eric Demattos. Learning Digital Photography. (2024).

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.

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