Professional Photography: Studio Technique and Photocomposition

Catalog description

PHOTO 303 Professional Photography: Studio Technique and Photocomposition is an intermediate-level problem-based learning class where students acquire practical skills, and learn creative techniques relevant to professional photographic image making. The course focuses on building and synthesizing career oriented competencies in the areas of intermediate to advanced digital photography, photocomposition, studio lighting, and image processing related to professional photography. This is a technically oriented course, which emphasizes image making for professional purposes such as for clients or specific audiences. Using this approach, students will practice methods to tailor their own creative vision to the needs of collaborators such as art directors or other professionals. Students will focus on using lighting, cameras & lenses, and creative design techniques as tools to achieve professional quality photographs appropriate for creative artist portfolios used for photography and related careers. Students will develop the skills necessary to recognize and deconstruct lighting, camera, and design techniques in professional photography they may encounter in advertising, magazines, websites and other places where professional photography is used. After they graduate, students will be able to continue using these critical skills to learn and experiment with new techniques, which drive the constantly changing styles in photographic design and thus keep their work looking fresh and current. They will additionally develop and hone visual and verbal skills necessary to critically analyze their own photos and the photos of their peers. The course will culminate with students producing professional portfolios of their work suitable for career purposes.