PHOTO-220 - Business of Photography - Syl Arena
| Course: | Business of Photography |
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| Professor: | Syl Arena |
| Email: | syl.arena@canyons.edu |
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| Course Length: |
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Introduction
About Syl Arena, Your Instructor
Syl rhymes with “Bill.” It’s short for “Sylvester,” which was my dad’s dad’s name. Like my grandfather, I have bright red hair—although mine borders on crazy red hair most days.
I have worked as many different types of photographer: commercial, editorial, event, portrait, real estate, food, catalog... You have to stay versatile if you want to support yourself with a camera.
You can see a wide range of work on my archive site Projects.SylArena.info, my artist site SylArena.com, and on Instagram.
I have taught photography for many years around the US and in Brazil, Canada, Cuba, and Dubai. I joined the faculty at College of the Canyons as an Assistant Professor in 2022. The courses I teach include: Cameras & Composition, Photography I, Photography II, Digital Imaging, Color Photography, Studio Fundamentals, Video Capture for Still Photographers, Concept Development, and the Business of Photography.
I am the author of two popular books on photographic lighting: Lighting for Digital Photography and Speedliter’s Handbook. NOTE: We will not be using either of these books in this course. I mention them only so that you’ll know a bit more about my background.
I am an experienced online instructor. I originated the online photography courses for West Valley College (Saratoga/Silicon Valley) and Cuesta College (San Luis Obispo). I earned both of the certificates offered by the Online Education Initiative: the Certificate in Online Teaching & Design and the Advanced Certificate in Online Teaching Principles. All of this is to say that you will have an amazing online experience in this course.
Course Description
Who Is This Class For?
Please confirm that this course aligns with your academic goals.
This course is oriented towards students interested in earning a living as a professional photographer—either part-time or full-time.
Photo 220 counts as an elective course for the AA degree in Photography and is a required course for the Certificate of Achievement in Commercial Photography.
There are no prerequisites.
What You Will Learn
This class will help you build a personal business plan that considers the needs of working as a specific type of professional photographer in the genre that most interests you (portrait, wedding, product, etc.). Your plan will include topics such as: how to organize your business, market your services, calculate the cost of producing a shoot, prepare a quote, account for income and expenses, protect against financial loss, decide whether to invest in studio space, and plan for retirement.
What to Expect in this Course
Weekly Time Commitment = 8 to 14 Hours
This course runs on an accelerated 8-week schedule. The normal semester runs 16 weeks. So, you will earn the full 3 units of credit in half the time.
Yes, the pace of this course is more intense than the full-semester version...about twice as intense.
To achieve the expectations of the Course Outline of Record, you should plan on 8–14 hours of work each week. This includes time for online study, independent research, updating your business plan, and posting your work online. Your time requirement will vary based upon your own level of experience with computers and familiarity (if any) with basic business concepts.
Students who do not have 8–14 hours each week to invest in this course, find the experience to be very stressful.
Class Schedule = 100% Asynchronous
This course is taught 100% online via Canvas, COC’s learning management system.
There are no scheduled class meetings. You will engage with the course materials and complete the work according to your schedule—provided that you meet the weekly assignment deadlines. So, if you are a morning person, great! If you are a night owl, that’s great too! Need to do everything on weekends, no problem.
Each week's material will be published in a new module each Sunday. You are encouraged to review the contents of each week's module as soon as you can. Work is typically due on Thursdays and Sundays.
Types of Assessments
Typical Activities
Online readings and videos—Each week you will have new information to study that is presented as online readings or videos.
• Business planning—You will start several phases of a business plan that focuses on the type of photography you hope to do professionally.
• Presentation of work—You will present your work to your classmates via the discussion forum in Canvas and in online galleries.
Note: This course does not require the production of new photographs. You will be asked to present a few portfolio-quality works that you have already created.
Textbook Information
No Textbook
There is no required textbook for this course. All materials will be presented via Canvas.
Other Relevant Course Information
Technology
In terms of technology, you will need reliable access to the Internet and a computer capable of running either Microsoft Office 365 or Google apps. The are many computers available on-campus for student use.
My Equitable Grading Philosophy
You and I share the responsibility for your success in Photo 220. Beyond designing the course as a series of guided experiences that prepare you to achieve the objectives and outcomes described above, I am committed to providing individualized support that facilitates learning in the manner(s) most relevant to you. Your responsibilities include making a consistent and sincere effort to be successful in this course and to communicate with me when you face challenges that impact your success.
Grades are a necessary part of this course. They serve to help you understand how your skills are developing and how much of the information you understand. Grading will not be a mystery and should not be a source of stress. If you get stressed by grades, get in touch. Let’s talk about it.
My criteria for grading will be presented in a rubric for every assignment. Use these rubrics as a step-by-step checklist for what you are to do. I encourage you to review them before starting your work and again before submitting your work.
I accept that not every student defines academic success as earning an A. For some, earning a C is the threshold of success. Know that I will remain non-judgmental and support your efforts to achieve academic success as you define it.
Additional Resources
Canvas
This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:
- CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
- CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password
Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.
Online Education
Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.
The Learning Center (TLC)
The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!
Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)
College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.
Online Counseling
The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.
Management of Stress and Mental Health
Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.
Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.
You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.
Veterans Resource Center
The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.
Library
The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!
Last updated: 02/20/2023 Sub#: 1494