Photography (PHTO Courses)
PHTO 101 History of Photography
3.0 units.
Acceptable for credit: Transfer to UC, CSU
Course Offered:
Fall, Spring
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
This course is a historical survey of the evolving nature of photography from the
1800’s to the present. This course examines the role and function of photography and
its cultural history, including its relationship to the fine arts, sciences, social
sciences, fashion, and mass media. Emphasizes the aesthetic and historical influences
on photography, as well as the medium of photography’s effects upon society and culture
and as a form of visual communication.
PHTO 110 Basic Photography
3.0 units.
Acceptable for credit: Transfer to UC, CSU
C-ID Course Number: N/A
Course Offered:
Fall, Spring, Summer
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
Designed to introduce the student to the fundamentals of photography as a means of
personal expression or as a tool for professional growth. Introduces the student to
the history of photography, photographic theory, and cultural influences. Emphasizes
the adjustable camera for effective visual communication and personal expression.
Included will be units on cameras, lighting, exposure, print development, aesthetics,
composition, content, and critical evaluation of student work. It includes basic instruction
of image editing software for manipulating imagery. Any type of lens-based, image-making
device including digital SLR's, 35mm film cameras, smart phones, digital point-and-shoot
cameras can be used. Manual digital camera suggested. School cameras are available
for checkout. Appropriate for students without prior photographic experience.
PHTO 120 Materials and Processes
3.0 units.
Prerequisite: PHTO 110 - Basic Photography ; or PHTO 170 - Digital Photography
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
C-ID Course Number: N/A
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
A course exploring alternative photographic materials and processes including pinhole
photography, cyanotype, Van Dyke, gum printing, toning, making digital and traditional
enlarged negatives and making photographic books. A course for students with a background
in photography or digital photography. Students are responsible for providing cameras,
paper, mat board and other miscellaneous supplies necessary to the completion of work.
Process chemicals are supplied.
PHTO 130 Advanced Black and White Photography
3.0 units.
Prerequisite: PHTO 110 - Basic Photography
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
C-ID Course Number: N/A
Course Offered:
Spring
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
A course investigating theories and working techniques in black and white photography
using analog and hybrid digital systems to produce negatives and prints. Exploration
of advanced techniques for controlling the printing process. Emphasizes the utilization
of those techniques in pursuit of a personal visual style. Students are required to
provide their own cameras, film and paper.
PHTO 140 Introduction to Color Photography
3.0 units.
Prerequisite: PHTO 110 - Basic Photography ; or PHTO 170 - Digital Photography
Acceptable for credit: Transfer to UC, CSU
C-ID Course Number: N/a
Course Offered:
Spring
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
A course designed to introduce the students to the fundamentals of color photography,
including the practical application of color theory to problems involving the use
of color negative film and color prints as a means of personal expression along with
scanning of film for digital output. Includes an examination of contemporary trends
in color imagery. Students are required to supply their own cameras, film and paper.
PHTO 150 Introduction to Commercial Photography
2.0 units.
Prerequisite: PHTO 110 - Basic Photography
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
C-ID Course Number: N/A
Course Offered:
Fall, Spring
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
A combined lab and lecture course that provides the student with an overview of photography
as a career. Introduces professional photographic equipment and techniques in actual
studio situations. Students will produce photographs of architecture, portraits, and
advertising subjects as they would for a commercial client. 1 hour per week lecture,
3 hours per week lab. Adjustable 35 mm camera suggested, school cameras available.
PHTO 151 Portrait Photography
2.0 units.
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
C-ID Course Number: N/a
Course Offered:
Fall
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
An introductory lecture/lab course examining the styles, considerations, and techniques
of photographic portraiture, including studio, headshots, environmental, and fashion
photography. Introduces lighting and equipment specific to photographic portraiture.
Requires an adjustable camera with manual exposure mode.
PHTO 170 Digital Photography
3.0 units.
Corequisite: PHTO 385 - Digital Photo Lab 2 ; PHTO 384 - Digital Photo Lab 1
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
C-ID Course Number: N/A
Course Offered:
Fall, Spring
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
An introductory course on the tools of digital photography including cameras, scanners,
printers and Adobe Lightroom software. Topics include image capture, enhance enhancement
and presentation including ink jet prints and digital slideshows. For this course
Mac skills are useful, but not essential.
PHTO 179A Intro to View Camera
2.0 units.
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
An introduction to the equipment and techniques of large format photography including
producing negatives and prints. The student will work with view cameras in the studio
and on location to create a variety of image styles. (S1)
PHTO 189 Independent Projects in Photography
1.0 - 3.0 units.
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
Courses for students capable of independent work who demonstrate the need or desire
for additional study beyond the regular curriculum. Enrollment allows students to
pursue activities such as directed field experience, research, or development of skills
and competencies under faculty advisement and supervision. Independent projects may
be earned in most disciplines. Students wishing to enroll in Independent Projects
should contact the appropriate instructor identified in the class schedule. If the
project proposed is acceptable to that instructor, a contract will be developed. All
contracts for these classes must be completed and submitted to the Records Office
no later than the end of the second week of the semester. Students may enroll for
any combination (unit value) of Independent Projects 189 and/or 389 for a total of
four semesters in a specific discipline. Units are awarded depending upon satisfactory
performance and the amount of time committed by the student to the course. Allowable
units vary according to discipline, and are based on the following formula: 1 unit
- 48 hours per semester 2 units - 96 hours per semester 3 units - 144 hours per semester
PHTO 199A Photojournalism
2.0 units.
Advisories: PHTO 110 - Basic Photography
Acceptable for credit: -
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
Designed to give a working knowledge of the equipment, techniques, markets and strategies
necessary for those who desire to pursue a career in photography for publication.
PHTO 380 Black And White Photo Lab 1
0.5 units.
Corequisite: PHTO 110 - Basic Photography ; or PHTO 120 - Materials and Processes ; or PHTO 130 - Advanced Black and White Photography ; or PHTO 150 - Introduction to Commercial Photography ; or any 179, 189, or 199 as related to black and white photo process only.
Limitations on Enrollment: Students may not be concurrently enrolled in PHTO 380 and PHTO 381
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
C-ID Course Number: N/A
Course Offered:
Fall, Spring
Grading Method: Pass/No Pass
Open entry laboratory class designed to provide students with the opportunity to refine
and expand techniques learned in the corequisite class.
PHTO 381 Black And White Photo Lab 2
1.0 unit.
Corequisite: PHTO 110 - Basic Photography ; or PHTO 120 - Materials and Processes ; or PHTO 130 - Advanced Black and White Photography ; or PHTO 150 - Introduction to Commercial Photography ; or any 179, 189, or 199 as related to black and white photo process only.
Limitations on Enrollment: Students may not be concurrently enrolled in PHTO 380 and PHTO 381.
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
C-ID Course Number: N/A
Course Offered:
Fall, Spring
Grading Method: Pass/No Pass
Open entry laboratory class designed to provide students with the opportunity to refine
and expand techniques learned in corequisite class. Students may not be concurrently
enrolled in PHTO 380 and 381. Corequisites: PHTO 110 or 120 or 130 or 150 or any 179,
189 or 199 as related to black and white photo process only.
PHTO 382 Color Photo Lab 1
0.5 units.
Corequisite: PHTO 140 - Introduction to Color Photography ; or any 179, 189 or 199, as related to color photo process only.
Limitations on Enrollment: Students may not be concurrently enrolled in PHTO 382 and PHTO 383
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
C-ID Course Number: N/A
Grading Method: Pass/No Pass
Open entry laboratory class designed to provide students with the opportunity to refine
and expand techniques learned in corequisite class.
PHTO 383 Color Photo Lab 2
1.0 unit.
Corequisite: PHTO 140 - Introduction to Color Photography ; or any 179, 189 or 199 as related to color photo processes only.
Limitations on Enrollment: Students may not be concurrently enrolled in PHTO 382 and PHTO 383
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
C-ID Course Number: N/A
Course Offered:
Fall, Spring
Grading Method: Pass/No Pass
Open entry laboratory class designed to provide students with the opportunity to refine
and expand techniques learned in corequisite class. Students may not be concurrently
enrolled in PHTO 382 and PHTO 383. Corequisite: PHTO 140 or any 179, 189 or 199 as
related to color photo processes only
PHTO 384 Digital Photo Lab 1
0.5 units.
Corequisite: PHTO 170 - Digital Photography ; or PHTO 150 - Introduction to Commercial Photography ; or PHTO 151 - Portrait Photography ; or any 179, 189, or 199 as related to digital photo processes only.
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
C-ID Course Number: N/A
Grading Method: Pass/No Pass
Open entry laboratory class designed to provide students with the opportunity to refine
and expand techniques learned in corequisite class.
PHTO 385 Digital Photo Lab 2
1.0 unit.
Corequisite: PHTO 170 - Digital Photography ; or PHTO 150 - Introduction to Commercial Photography ; or PHTO 151 - Portrait Photography ; or any 179, 189, or 199 as related to digital photo process only.
Limitations on Enrollment: Students may not be concurrently enrolled in PHTO 384 and PHTO 385
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
C-ID Course Number: N/A
Grading Method: Pass/No Pass
Open entry laboratory class designed to provide students with the opportunity to refine
and expand techniques learned in corequisite class.
PHTO 7200 Digital Photos and the Computer
8.0 - 12.0 hours.
Acceptable for credit: N - Noncredit
Grading Method: Noncredit
Unsure of how and where to store your digital photos? This course is a brief introduction
to how to upload, manage, and store digital photos on a computer. Students are required
to bring to class a digital camera or cellphone and accompanying USB cable for their
specific model camera and/or a card reader.
PHTO 7205 Photography for Online Sales
8.0 hours.
Acceptable for credit: N - Noncredit
Repeatable: 99.00
Grading Method: Noncredit
A photography course designed to introduce students to small product photography techniques
useful for posting advertisements on eBay, Craigslist, or other online sites. Topics
to be covered are camera settings, using a tripod, basic lighting techniques, selecting
backgrounds, subject placement, and editing and prepping images for posting online.
PHTO 7206 Food Photography
8.0 hours.
Acceptable for credit: N - Noncredit
Grading Method: Noncredit
A photography course designed to introduce students to the basic approach for photographing
food. Topics include using natural light for photography of food, controlling focus,
photography equipment and supplies used in food photography, and useful software.
Students are required to have access to a digital camera or cellphone that has controls
to manipulate exposure, shutter speed, ISO and focus, as well as the ability to download
images to a classroom computer