Commercial Photography
AAS-T, Certificate
The Commercial Photography Program offers a two-year multimedia A.A.S. program, which provides comprehensive training for individuals seeking employment in both traditional and digital commercial photography. The program develops strong basic skills in black and white photography, color photography, large format camera techniques, contemporary lighting techniques, studio illustration, digital photography, and electronic imaging. Students learn high quality lab procedures including black and white and color processing as well as digital output, manipulation, and enhancement applications. Students gain experience with 4x5 digital backs, a digital service bureau, and our electronic darkroom of networked Power Macs equipped for large electronic image files.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this program have training for entry-level or higher employment positions as photographers, photographer's assistant or laboratory/digital technician in areas of professional photography, including: the general consumer fields of wedding/portrait photography and the commercial fields of advertising, corporate/industrial, and editorial/stock photography. Graduates work as employees of other photographers or in their own business as freelance photographers. There are many opportunities for successful careers in photography, but it is a very competitive profession.
Previous photographic experience is not required, but any art, photography or design experience will contribute to student success in the program.
Learning Outcomes (AAS)
By the end of the program, successful students will be able to:
- Communicate visually, verbally and in written form with a variety of client and/or companies in formats including:
- Web design skills and presence
- Technical materials and terminology
- Professional business forms and procedures
- Marketing research, strategies and promotion
- Estimation and negotiation
- Demonstrate the ability to:
- Survey history, careers, styles and trends in professional photography
- Operate all camera formats and techniques
- Execute a wide range of technical and creative lighting solutions
- Execute a wide range of darkroom techniques and processes
- Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of computers, software and digital imaging skills
- Develop and expand a personal creative voice with pre visualization conceptualization skills
- Develop pre-production shoot and planning methods
- Execute shoot production in both the studio and on location
- Demonstrate post production technical and creative solutions
- Develop a marketing plan, materials, and support process
- Develop a small business plan and organizational structure
- Produce the products required for graduation in the sixth quarter, attached in Appendix I
Information Sessions
Information sessions are conducted each quarter so students interested in this program can meet faculty and learn more about the program. Please call 206 587-3830 for a schedule of information sessions for this program.
Entrance Requirements
- ASSET test and writing sample (eligibility for ENG 101 and MAT 081).
- Entry into this program is for fall quarter only.
How To Get Started
- Complete the Standard Procedure for Admission to the College
- After completing the above test(s), you must take your results or copy of your college transcript to the Communications and Design Division counselor room BE 3176, to determine eligibility to enter the program. Please call 206 587-3830 for an appointment.
Counselor: Dale Zeretzke, DZeretzke@sccd.ctc.edu
Once admission requirements have been met, students are accepted into the program on a first-come, first-served basis until maximum enrollment is reached.
Students may choose to graduate either under the program of study requirements stated in the college catalog at the time they first enter this program, or under the requirements listed in the catalog in effect at the time they apply for graduation-unless more than five years have elapsed since the student entered the program, and providing that the courses required for completion are still offered.
Estimated Training Costs
- Tuition
- Photo ID Card (one-time fee)
- Student Activity Fee (per quarter)
- Transportation Mgmt Fee (per quarter)
- Computer Lab Fee (per quarter)
- Universal Technology Fee (per quarter)
- Materials Fee (per quarter) $27.75
- IMC Fee (per quarter) $27.75
- Student Materials (per quarter) $1,000 - $1,200.00
- Supplies and/or equipment required to begin program approx $4,500.00***
Curriculum
| 1'st Quarter | Cr | |
| IMC 297 | INTERGRATED MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS I | 5 |
| Project-based three-quarter course. Includes the design and production of a magazine, and provides beginning students with design and business principles, writing, computational and teamwork skills. For students in the disciplines of Apparel Design & Services, Graphic Design & Illustration, Commercial Photography, and Publishing Arts. | ||
| PHO 111 | CAMERA TECHNIQUES I | 4 |
| Learn the functions and operation of large format 4 x 5 view camera, 210 mm lens, tripod, exposure meter and related equipment. Study camera controls: swings, tilts, slide, rise and fall, angle coverage, image circle of the lenses. apertures and shutter speeds. Covers light meter functions and methods and techniques of determining exposures. | ||
| PHO 121 | LIGHTING TECHNIQUES I | 4 |
| Covers basic concepts of commercial lighting: laws, principles, and practices of light; qualities of direct/indirect sunlight and tungsten light sources; and lighting for form, texture, and separation using basic three-dimensional forms. Includes light modifiers and the safe use of tungsten lighting equipment. | ||
| PHO 131 | DARKROOM TECHNIQUES I | 3 |
| Intro to darkroom procedures and equipment, including safe use of the processing facilities, chemicals, developers, stop baths, and fixers. Learn various films, film and paper speed, film development, print processing, contact printing, enlarging, working with variable contrast photographic papers, print finishing, dry mounting, and presentation techniques. Experiment with alternative photographic methods and basic darkroom manipulation. | ||
| 2'nd Quarter | Cr | |
| IMC 298 | INTEGRATED MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS II | 7 |
| Project-based three-quarter course. Includes the design and production of a magazine, and provides beginning students with design and business principles, writing, computational and teamwork skills. For students in the disciplines of Apparel Design & Services, Graphic Design & Illustration, Commercial Photography, and Publishing Arts. | ||
| PHO 112 | CAMERA TECHNIQUES II | 3 |
| Continue learning the use and operation of the large format 4 x 5 view camera. Develop additional skills in view camera control, adjustments, and lenses with emphasis on perspective and distortion control. Emphasis on commercial photography studio assignments. Learn to assist a photographer through teamwork. | ||
| PHO 122 | LIGHTING TECHNIQUES II | 4 |
| Study advanced tungsten lighting techniques and light controls. Cover evaluative lighting techniques such as the relationship between light sources and subject positioning in classic portraiture. | ||
| PHO 125 | ||
| Semi-supervised and non-supervised laboratory sessions. Students work on individual and class assignments, and on experimental projects of special interest. | ||
| PHO 132 | DARKROOM TECHNIQUES II | 3 |
| Explore advanced means of contrast control including the Zone System. Study film processing techniques for multiple film formats. Develop advanced skills in black and white photography, film testing and evaluation. | ||
| 3'rd Quarter | Cr | |
| IMC 299 | INTEGRATED MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS III | 6 |
| Project-based three-quarter course. Includes the design and production of a magazine, and provides beginning students with design and business principles, writing, computational and teamwork skills. For students in the disciplines of Apparel Design & Services, Graphic Design & Illustration, Commercial Photography, and Publishing Arts. | ||
| PHO 126 | ||
| PHO 211 | ||
| Intro to food, product, catalog, and merchandise photography. Incorporate lighting and design expertise and apply these skills to fit simulated design, advertising and editorial situations. | ||
| PHO 215 | ADVERTISING PRODUCTION | 4 |
| Intro to the whole advertising production cycle, including project-oriented commercial output and current business practices. Covers the research, preplanning, problem solving, business practices and technical execution of commercial advertising photography. Practice as professional assistants in group work. | ||
| PHO 231 | ||
| Intro to basic concepts of color theory and color photography, E-6 (positive) films and E-6 chemistry. Learn the Norman 200 and 400 electronic flash units and the theory of electronic flash. Includes in-studio assignments. | ||
| 4'th Quarter | Cr | |
| PHO 210 | ||
| Intro to the creative and technical requirements of digital imaging using PhotoShop. Covers photographic retouching, enhancement and image composition including color prepress requirements. Learn to enhance, color correct, and create special effects. Explore the use of boundary and soft edge for precise control. | ||
| PHO 221 | ||
| Covers darkroom and shooting in b/w and color for publicity, promotion and public relations. Stresses the portable strobe light. Refines b/w 35mm and medium format techniques. May cover multiple printing, montage, sandwich printing, texture screens, vignetting, and diffusion. | ||
| PHO 225 | DIGITAL CAPTURE | 3 |
| Intro to the technical requirements of digital capture. Develop skills required to digitally capture images. Learn to operate small-, medium-, and large-format digital cameras and study various lighting techniques. | ||
| PHO 232 | ||
| Continuation of PHO 231. Intro to Vericolor and Kodacolor negative films, C41 (negative color) films and processing chemicals., and Ektacolor printing, chemicals and papers. Includes “Chromazones”, a lighting technique using controlled color filters; photographing through textured glass; photographing a precise layout; and catalog and product illustrative techniques. | ||
| PHO 244 | DIGITAL IMAGING | 4 |
| Intro to the creative and technical requirements of digital imaging. Learn to combine traditional and non-traditional electronic image-capture with the hardware and software used in digital imaging. Cover digital imaging techniques for photographic retouching, enhancement, and image composition including color pre-press requirements. Using the latest desktop tools, learn how professional photographers enhance, color correct, and create special effects. | ||
| 5'th Quarter | Cr | |
| PHO 213 | ||
| Emphasizes student problem-solving under a variety of difficult design, conceptual and deadline situations. Produce industry standard quality work from class assignments which are designed to be used by parties outside the classroom. | ||
| PHO 226 | ||
| A semi-supervised, non-instructional day. Work on class assignments and projects or independent study and research. | ||
| PHO 233 | ||
| Explores specific problems in the application of color materials. | ||
| PHO 243 | ||
| Covers management techniques used in the operation of a professional imaging facility. Emphasizes developing business, marketing, and merchandising plans. Visit local imaging facilities to see management and operations. Establish and operate a working business model. | ||
| PHO 281 | ||
| Covers basic methods used to present a photographic portfolio to a prospective employer or client. Includes types of portfolios, content, presentation variations, print mounting techniques, and formatting methods for color transparencies and slides. Produce one photograph per week of portfolio quality. | ||
| 6'th Quarter | Cr | |
| PHO 214 | CATALOGUE PRODUCTION | 4 |
| Continue to explore techniques using color materials with various camera formats. Create quality images for a four-page catalog layout. Develop and explore various photographic options while developing a personal photographic style. In a studio environment produce an individual mini catalog, using traditional and digitial photographic techniques. | ||
| PHO 234 | PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS PRACTICES I | 3 |
| Intro to basic commercial studio management, market research and analysis, business forms and computer applications that focus on American Society of Media Photographers professional business practices. Includes the functions, tasks and skills required for certification by the Professional Photographers of America, Inc. | ||
| PHO 245 | NEW MEDIA | 3 |
| Broaden understanding of image editing techniques and processes. Examine advanced retouching, layering, masking, and types of color adjustment as they apply to basic web design. Create and publish a basic web site using image editing and design software. | ||
| PHO 291 | ||
| Continuation of PHO 281. Produce a weekly project to be used in the final portfolio. Reviews ASMP Professional Business Guide, including assignment photography, stock pictures, form agreements, the photographer | ||
| Total Credits = 60 | ||
NOTE: This curriculum is being revised. Please check with the Communications and Design Division Office at 206 587-3830 for current information.
Students must maintain a grade of 2.0 or better in every class to remain in this program.
In order to receive a two-year degree in this program from Seattle Central Community College, all students will be required to complete the following additional requirements:
Related Instruction Course 12 credits
Related instruction courses are those offered in areas related to the student's major area of study. For this program, related-instruction courses would be chosen from the following:
- Courses in other visual arts programs
- Courses in business-related areas
- Courses in the arts or liberal studies
- Other courses approved by the Dean, Communications and Design Division
For Further Information:
Commercial Photography Program
Business. Information Technology & Creative Arts
Seattle Central Community College
1701 Broadway, Room BE3176
Seattle, WA 98122
PHONE: (206) 587-3830
FAX: (206) 516-3130