Class Schedule

Click here for the current and upcoming class schedule.

Modalities & Term Lengths

Photography course modalities:

On-campus—taught in our digital lab, darkroom, studio, and/or lecture room
OnlineLive—requires attendance at scheduled times via Zoom
Online—completely asynchronous, no scheduled class meetings
Non-Credit—courses designed for community learners and those seeking specific skills. Fall 2022 Non-Credit Course Listing

Photography course term lengths:

16-week
8-week
5-week
Winter/Summer sessions

Course Details

Introductory Courses

Typically satisfy general education requirements and some Photo degree and/or Certificate requirements.

Photo 140 History of Photography

Commercial Certificate: neither a requirement nor elective
Photo AA Degree: required
Units: 3
Intended For: General Education and Photo AA degree (but not Certificate of Achievement)
Catalog Description: "Explores the history and appreciation of photography from the nineteenth century to present, including the relationship between photography and history, culture, technology, art, social values, and other concerns."
Offered: Fall, Spring, Winter, Summer
Modality: Online, 5-week session. On-campus, 16-week semester.
Instruction hours per week: 10.8 lecture (5-week session), 3.4 lecture (16-week semester)

Photo 150 Cameras & Composition

Commercial Certificate: neither a requirement nor elective
Photo AA Degree: required
Units: 3
Intended For: General Education and Photo AA degree (but not Certificate of Achievement)
Catalog Description: "Introduces the fundamental historical development, theory, technology, and basic applications of photography. Examines principles and analysis of artistic and aesthetic qualities of photographic images through group interaction and discussion. Provides demonstration, analysis of function, and technical experience with digital and film single lens reflex cameras. It is recommended students provide a digital or 35mm film SLR camera capable of manual exposure and adjustment. UC credit limitation: PHOTO-150, 160, and 285 combined, maximum credit one course."
Offered: Fall, Spring, Winter, Summer
Modalities: Online, 5-week session. Online, 8-week session. OnlineLive, 8-week session. On-campus, 16-week semester.
Instruction hours per week: 10.8 lecture (5-week session), 6.8 lecture (8-week session), 3.4 lecture (16-week semester)

Photo 155 Photography I

Commercial Certificate: required
Photo AA Degree: required -or- Photo 160, but not both
Units: 3
Intended For: Photo AA degree and Commercial Certificate students
Catalog Description: "Introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and techniques of photography and camera RAW, including the theory and basic principles of image correction and print technologies. It is recommended that students provide a digital SLR camera capable of manual exposure and adjustment."
Offered: Fall, Spring
Modality: Online (8-week session)
Instruction hours per week: 11.2 lecture and lab (8-week session)

Photo 160 Black & White Photography

Commercial Certificate: neither an elective nor required
Photo AA Degree: required -or- Photo 155, but not both
Units: 3
Intended For: General Education and Photo AA degree (but not Certificate of Achievement)
Catalog Description: "Introduces mechanical and artistic principles in recording photographic images using a 35mm SLR camera and printing black and white images including basic history and fundamental mechanics, optics, chemistry, and lighting principles of black and white photography. UC credit limitation: PHOTO-150, 160, and 285 combined, maximum credit one course."
Offered: Fall, Spring
Modality: On-campus
Instruction hours per week: 5.6 lecture and lab (16-week semester)

Intermediate & Advanced Courses

Photo 120 Photographic Studio Etiquette

Commercial Certificate: required
Photo AA Degree: elective towards 6 additional units
Units: 1
Catalog Description: "Explores professional etiquette and appropriate practices for assisting and working in the photographic studio, interacting with professional photographers, art directors, clients, and other personnel."
Offered: Fall, 4-week session
Modality: Online
Instruction hours per week: 4.5 lecture (4-week term)

Photo 156 Photography II

Commercial Certificate: required
Photo AA Degree: elective towards 6 additional units
Units: 3
Prerequisite: Photo 155 (recommended) or Photo 160
Catalog Description: "Refines and builds upon the fundamental concepts and techniques of photography and camera RAW, integrating basic concept development and execution of the creative process through a thematic approach."
Offered: Spring, second 8-week session
Modality: Online
Instruction hours per week: 11.2 lecture and lab (8-week term)

Photo 157 Digital Imaging

Commercial Certificate: required
Photo AA Degree: elective towards 6 additional units
Units: 3
Prerequisite: Photo 155 (recommended) or Photo 160
Catalog Description: "Introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, techniques and applications of digital imaging using industry standard software such as Adobe Photoshop. Through application of theory, students will explore both the technical aspects of image manipulation as well as the artistic aspects of creating images."
Offered: Spring, second 8-week session
Modality: Online
Instruction hours per week: 11.2 lecture and lab (8-week term)

Photo 177 Video Capture for Still Photographers

Commercial Certificate: required, possible substitute = MEA 120 Introduction to Cinematography
Photo AA Degree: elective towards 6 additional units
Units: 3
Prerequisite: Photo 150 or Photo 155
Catalog Description: "Explores video as a tool in preparing still photographic projects and provides the basic technical skills to capture video content, utilizing a DSLR camera. Develops the skill set to record video in tandem with still photography including photographic and video narrative, still and basic HD video camera techniques, lighting and basic sound recording."
Offered: Spring every 2 years
Modality: On-campus
Instruction hours per week: 5.6 lecture and lab (16-week semester)

Photo 191 Photographic Studio Fundamentals I

Commercial Certificate: required
Photo AA Degree: elective towards 6 additional units
Units: 3
Prerequisite: Photo 155 (recommended, not required)
Catalog Description: "Explores the fundamentals of photographic studio techniques, concentrating on continuous lighting equipment and impact of lighting arrangements on the photographic image for portrait and basic product in studio."
Offered: Fall, Spring
Modality: On-campus
Instruction hours per week: 5.6 lecture and lab (16-week semester)

Photo 192 Photographic Studio Fundamentals II

Commercial Certificate: required
Photo AA Degree: elective towards 6 additional units
Units: 3
Prerequisite: Photo 191
Catalog Description: "Explores intermediate photographic studio lighting techniques, concentrating on electronic flash and strobe lighting equipment, impact of lighting arrangements on the photographic image for intricate, reflective, high key, and low key subjects, and capture in studio."
Offered: Fall, Spring
Modality: On-campus
Instruction hours per week: 5.6 lecture and lab (16-week semester)

Photo 195 Color Photography

Commercial Certificate: neither an elective nor required, may be eligible as a substitute for certificate completion
Photo AA Degree: elective towards 6 additional units
Units: 3
Prerequisite: Photo 155 (recommended) or Photo 160
Catalog Description: "Presents the principles of light and color in digital or film photography and the practice of exposure and color printing. Students are recommended to furnish a fully manual/adjustable 35mm film or digital SLR camera."
Offered: Fall every other year
Modality: Online
Instruction hours per week: 5.6 lecture and lab (16-week semester)

Photo 215 Photojournalism & News Photography

Commercial Certificate: neither an elective nor required, may be eligible as a substitute for certificate completion
Photo AA Degree: elective towards 6 additional units
Units: 3
Prerequisite: MEA-120 or Photo 150 or Photo 155 or Photo 160
Catalog Description: "Introduces contemporary photojournalism and news photography through applications of theory and concepts of visual communication to digital photographic processes to produce news stories, photographic series, and photo-essays. Note: It is recommended that students have access to a Digital SLR camera with manual exposure and interchangeable lenses."
Offered: Spring every other year
Modality: Online
Instruction hours per week: 5.6 lecture and lab (16-week semester)

Photo 220 The Business of Photography

Commercial Certificate: required
Photo AA Degree: elective towards 6 additional units
Units: 3
Catalog Description: "Introduces the business of photography, including training and strategies in creating studio space, marketing plans, building clientele, contracts and forms, creating portfolios and pricing."
Offered: Fall every other year
Modality: Online
Instruction hours per week: 3.4 lecture (16-week semester)

Photo 285 Concept Development

Commercial Certificate: neither an elective nor required, may be eligible as a substitute for certificate completion
Photo AA Degree: elective towards 6 additional units
Units: 3
Catalog Description: "Presents advanced theory, concept development and execution of the creative process in Photography 155 or 160. UC credit limitation: PHOTO-150, 160, and 285 combined, maximum credit one course."
Offered: Fall, every other year
Modality: Online
Instruction hours per week: 5.6 lecture and lab (16-week semester)