The study of photography offers a multitude of career possibilities. From fine art to commercial applications, photography is an exciting field that involves an education founded in conceptual as well as technical aspects. The development of the visual mind and a technical foundation in both traditional and digital imaging are the goals of the study of photography at Victor Valley College.
Career Opportunities
Aerial Surveying, Advertising, Architectural Design, Fine Art, Art Education, Digital Imaging, Fashion, Filmmaking, Forensic and Criminal Applications, Environmental Biology, Portrait Photography, Photojournalism and Product Photography.
Faculty
Foster, John Franklin
Shelby, Christina
Transfer
- California State University campuses at East Bay, Fullerton, Hayward, San Jose, Long Beach, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo
- Art Center College of Design, Pasadena
- California College of Arts and Crafts, Oakland
- California Institute of the Arts, Valencia
- Chapman University
The programs listed above are a sampling of colleges which offer photography majors or photography concentrations within Art or Applied Art majors. Photography is a concentration or option within an Art or Applied Art major within the University of California and California State University systems. Various private or independent colleges that focus specifically on the arts offer bachelor’s degrees with a major in photography or as a concentration or option within an Art or Applied Art major.
Because the major and the general education requirements vary in this major from university to university, students interested in photography should study the catalog or website of the specific university to which they plan to transfer. For the most up-to-date information on these programs and others, visit assist.org and, for independent schools, aiccu.edu. Please stop by the Transfer Center in Building 23 or make an appointment with a counselor if you have questions.
Associate Degree
No associate degree offered with a major in photography. Photography courses may be used to fulfill requirements for an Associate in Arts degree with a major in Fine Arts. See specific listings for degree requirements in these majors. PHOT 138 Cooperative Education Photography may be used as elective credit, but may not be used to fulfill major requirements.
Photography Certificate of Achievement
State Control Number: 38235
Program Code: PHOT.CERT
Approved for Federal Financial Aid: Pending
Prepares the student for a variety of employment opportunities and career paths within the photographic field. This certificate also provides an opportunity for the student to continue on toward earning an AA degree in Fine Arts that can align with existing undergraduate programs in the CSU and UC systems. The student will study traditional and digital photography and lighting. The student will be offered additional course selections in portraiture, commercial photographic application, alternative image processing and environmental photography and as well, the history of still photography. The creation of a photographically based portfolio will complete this certificate. An emphasis will be placed on learning computer based photographic editing programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom and the mastery of digital cameras and digital output devices.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PHOT 100 | Beginning Photography | 3.0 |
| PHOT 101 | Intermediate Photography | 3.0 |
| PHOT 111 | Beginning Digital Photography | 3.0 |
| PHOT 133 | Introduction to Photoshop | 3.0 |
| PHOT 153 | Photographic Lighting Techniques | 3.0 |
| PHOT 154 | Portfolio Design | 3.0 |
| Complete one course from the following: | 3.0 | |
| Portraiture | ||
| History of Still Photography | ||
| Commericial Photography | ||
| Environmental Photography | ||
| Total Units | 21 | |
Photography Courses
This course will present cell phone basics that can be applied to a variety of situation in which better cell phone photography is the goal.
Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Not transferable
This is a course that introduces the basics of black and white photography. Technical and conceptual topics will be covered. Grade Option.
Lecture Hours: 36.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
This course will cover studio and outdoor portrait techniques, flash fill techniques as well as elements of commercial photography. This course may be completed with digital or film based cameras. Student must supply a DSLR camera or a 35mm manual film based camera.
Recommended Preparation: PHOT 100, PHOT 101, and PHOT 111
Lecture Hours: 36.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This lab class is an introduction to the basics of photojournalism including basic photography skills, digital imaging, processing, composition, and production of written news stories.
Lecture Hours: 36.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This course will introduce intermediate techniques of Adobe Photoshop and its application to digital media.
Lecture Hours: 36.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This beginning digital photography course will cover a variety of imaging basics, such as camera controls and exposure. Basic image construction and elemental editing will be covered.
Lecture Hours: 36.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This course surveys the history and development of photography across the globe from its inception to the present. Photographic works are investigated in relation to art history, cultural history and social history. This course ends with a consideration of photography in the digital age. Grade Option.
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
This course will introduce the basics of digital imaging and its application to digital photography.
Lecture Hours: 36.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
Cooperative Education: This course is designed for students who are cross-training at their current worksite for upward mobility or possible career changes, as well as those looking for entry-level occupational training through work-based learning experiences. Students must have a co-op approved worksite to enroll in this class and establish new learning objectives. Please refer to the Cooperative Education section in this catalog for more information
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This class will introduce commercially orientated photographic lighting concepts common to the marketplace. Topics will include food, product, fashion, editorial photography as well as commercial portraiture. Business practices, ethics and legal considerations as it relates to photography will be discussed. Grade Option.
Recommended Preparation: PHOT 100, PHOT 101, and PHOT 111
Lecture Hours: 36.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This course will cover basic camera exposure and composition for a variety of outdoor settings. Topics include: landscape photography, animal photography, flower photography, sports photography, macro photography and outdoor portraits. The uses and understanding of filters, flash and film. Some field trips will be required. Grade Option.
Lecture Hours: 36.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This course will introduce the student to the fundamentals of lighting and its application to imaging processes. A range of topics will be covered that include portraiture, product and commercial applications.
Recommended Preparation: PHOT 100, PHOT 101, or PHOT 111
Lecture Hours: 36.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This course will present visual problems for the student to solve for the purpose of creating traditional and digital portfolio. This is a capstone class in which the portfolio will demonstrate the student's photographic education, experience and area of interest.
Recommended Preparation: PHOT 100, PHOT 101, and PHOT 111
Lecture Hours: 36.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
Program Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are statements of the kind of learning a program hopes a student will achieve. The PLOs describe the knowledge, skills, problem-solving, communication and values that apply to all certificates and/or degrees within that program.
Upon completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a practical and technical command of photographic methods and materials.
- Create a body of work that transmits specific intent, personal insight and creative expression that meets the quality set forth by industry standards.
- Prepare a professional portfolio demonstrating formal, conceptual and technical development.