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)

Course Description

This course will provide intermediate-level instruction in the processes, principles, and tools of digital photography and digital imaging. Students will gain experience with digital techniques that further their creative exploration of photography. Topics include intermediate camera control instruction, editing techniques, scanning, printing, mounting, and using the essential image editing tools of Adobe Photoshop to create a master digital image. This course continues the development of a student's personal artistic expression and visual perception. PREREQUISITE: PHOT G190. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

1. Apply the concepts of digital capture, editing, resolution, and printing to an image.
2. Operate adjustable digital cameras, auxiliary equipment, and scanners.
3. Formulate criticisms of digital photographs using photographic terminology and concepts.

Course Objectives

• Identify the concepts of digital photography and image resolution.
• Operate flatbed scanners and inkjet printers.
• Apply the working foundations and production essentials of digital image editing software.
• Use intermediate image editing tools to enhance, refine, retouch, and composite digital images.
• Analyze digital images as a form of visual communication utilizing terminology and concepts.
• Create a portfolio of digital photographs demonstrating intermediate knowledge of digital image processing.

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Lecture Content

1. Intermediate Functions of Camera Controls
2. Foundations of Adobe Photoshop
   1. Tools
   2. Palettes
   3. Selections
   4. Layers
3. Production Essentials
   1. Resolution
   2. Scanning
   3. Optimizing grayscale images
   4. Color management
   5. Color and tonal correction
   6. Layer masks and adjustment layers
   7. Paths and channels
   8. History palette, history brush, and snapshots
4. Artistic Explorations
   1. Collage and composite techniques
   2. Black and white effects
   3. Coloring and/or painting effects
   4. Layer effects
   5. Filters
5. Presentation
   1. Matting
   2. Mounting
   3. Framing

Lab Content

1. Intermediate Image Editing and Enhancing Techniques in Image Editing Software
   1. Value
   2. Contrast
   3. Sharpening
   4. Color correction
   5. Retouching and refining 
2. Intermediate Production Techniques in Adobe Photoshop
   1. Digital capture
   2. Resolution optimization  
   3. Grayscale and color
   4. Working with selections
   5. Masking
   6. Channels
3. Intermediate Creative Explorations in Adobe Photoshop
   1. Collages and composites 
   2. Color effects
   3. Layering effect
   4. Filter effects
   5. Painting effects
   6. Special effects
   7. Retouching
4. Scanners
   1. Flatbed scanners
5. Printers
   1. Large format
   2. Inkjet
6. Color
   1. Theory
   2. Management 
   3. Profiles
7. Lighting
   1. Identification 
   2. Application
   3. Available or natural
   4. Artificial, continuous, and strobe
8. Digital Image Output and Delivery
   1. File specifications for email and print
   2. Printing and presentation
   3. Portfolio production
9. Intermediate Compositional Techniques and Principles
10. 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. For each assignment, students will write about the aesthetic and editing decisions made at each step of the process resulting in their final print.

Out-of-class Assignments

Students will complete some digital photo shooting assignments outside of class.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

54

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 image editing that need to be creatively solved in the form of a successful print. Students will critique each other's work orally.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Written assignments may include quizzes, essays, exams, or reports. For each assignment, students will write about the aesthetic and editing decisions made at each step of the process resulting in their final print. Students will create a portfolio of photographic work demonstrating formal, conceptual, and technical development.

Resources Subscreen

• Textbook: Barbara London and Jim Stone. A Short Course in Photography: Digital. Pearson (2018 (Classic)).
• Textbook: Robert Hirsch. Light and Lens: Photography in the Digital Age. Routledge (2022).
• Textbook: Bruce Warren. Digital Photography. Cengage (2012 (Classic)).
• 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.