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Photography

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Associate Degrees

A.A. in Art-Photo

The art-photography program is designed to teach students fine art photography with an emphasis in black and white film based processes. Critical analysis, history and current theories in photography are also requirements.

Students planning to prepare for a four-year degree in Photography should consult the lower division requirements of the university to which they plan to transfer.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
ART 300 Drawing and Composition I 3
PHOTO 301 Beginning Photography (3) 3
PHOTO 420 History of Photography (3) 3
PHOTO 310 Intermediate Photography (3) 3
ARTH 300 Art Appreciation (3) 3
ART 304 Figure Drawing I (3) 3
   or ART 361 Printmaking: Survey (3)
PHOTO 320 Color Photography (3) 3
PHOTO 360 Large Format Photography (3) 3
PHOTO 365 Alternative Process Photography (3) 3
   or PHOTO 364 Advanced Black and White Photography (3)
Total Units: 27

The Art-Photo Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus the local CRC General Education Requirement, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See CRC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • SLO #1 Produce a portfolio that conveys creative self expression.
  • SLO #2 Work with silver based and alternative processes in black and white photography.
  • SLO #3 Use a variety of film based cameras, including medium and large format.
  • SLO #4 Describe the history of photography.
  • SLO #5 Recount current trends in photographic theories and aesthetics.

Career Information

Fine art photographer, gallery worker, museum worker, curator or general photographer. Some career options may require more than two years of college study. Classes beyond the associate degree may be required to fulfill some career options or for preparation for transfer to a university program.


A.A. in Photography

The photography program is designed to teach entry-level skills for careers in the photographic industry. Students interested in photography as visual expression or an adjunct to a vocation will also benefit.

Flexibility of the advanced program allows a student to concentrate upon a specific photographic career area.

Students planning to prepare for a four-year degree in Photography should consult the lower division requirements of the university to which they plan to transfer.

HIGHLIGHTS
*modern lab and studio facilities
*twenty four black & white enlargers
*digital media lab
*digital scanners and printers
*field trips to a variety of photographic businesses in Sacramento and the Bay Area
* field study course in Yosemite
*special seminars and internships

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
PHOTO 302 Beginning Digital Photography (3) 3
PHOTO 312 Intermediate Digital Photography (3) 3
PHOTO 320 Color Photography (3) 3
PHOTO 340 Careers in Photography 3
PHOTO 400 Digital Imaging 3
PHOTO 410 Advanced Digital Imaging 3
PHOTO 420 History of Photography (3) 3
COMM 301 Introduction to Public Speaking (3) 3
   or COMM 361 The Communication Experience (3)
JOUR 310 Mass Media and Society 3
RTVF 302 Introduction to Digital Design & Storytelling (3) 3
   or RTVF 304 Introduction to Multimedia (3)
A minimum of 3 units from the following: 3
PHOTO 260 The Eastern Sierra Landscape, Yosemite Valley (2)
PHOTO 271 Color Management and Printing (1.5)
PHOTO 272 Lightroom (1.5)
PHOTO 273 Video Capture with DSLRs (1.5)
PHOTO 274 Digital Photography Basics (1.5)
PHOTO 275 Digital Applications for Alternative Processes (1.5)
PHOTO 277 Creating a Digital Portfolio (1.5)
PHOTO 278 Flash Photography (1.5)
PHOTO 279 Advanced Lightroom (1.5)
PHOTO 350 Photojournalism (3)
Total Units: 33

The Photography Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus the local CRC General Education Requirement, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See CRC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • PSLO #1 describe technical and aesthetic qualities of successful photographs
  • PSLO #2 apply a variety of lighting techniques to the production of photographs
  • PSLO #3 produce photographs using various cameras
  • PSLO #4 produce photographs using various photographic papers and digital output
  • PSLO #5 create a portfolio and related materials for job preparation
  • PSLO #6 describe successful working relationships with clients and subjects
  • PSLO #7 develop a personal visual style

Career Information

Studio Photography; Portrait & Wedding Photography; Photographic Lab Technician; Photojournalism; Industrial or Architectural Photography. Some career options may require more than two years of college study. Classes beyond the associate degree may be required to fulfill some career options or for preparation for transfer to a university program.

Certificates of Achievement

Commercial and Studio Photography Certificate

The commercial and studio program is designed for students who want to enter a career path in studio photography. Students will use strobe equipment to learn lighting techniques, work with professionals in the field and design their own portfolio. Business strategies, self promotion, and workflow methods will also be covered.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
PHOTO 302 Beginning Digital Photography (3) 3
PHOTO 312 Intermediate Digital Photography (3) 3
PHOTO 320 Color Photography (3) 3
PHOTO 340 Careers in Photography (3) 3
   or PHOTO 400 Digital Imaging (3)
PHOTO 360 Large Format Photography (3) 3
PHOTO 390 Studio Lighting Techniques I 3
PHOTO 392 Studio Lighting Techniques II 3
PHOTO 410 Advanced Digital Imaging (3) 3
PHOTO 420 History of Photography (3) 3
A minimum of 3 units from the following: 3
PHOTO 260 The Eastern Sierra Landscape, Yosemite Valley (2)
PHOTO 271 Color Management and Printing (1.5)
PHOTO 272 Lightroom (1.5)
PHOTO 273 Video Capture with DSLRs (1.5)
PHOTO 274 Digital Photography Basics (1.5)
PHOTO 275 Digital Applications for Alternative Processes (1.5)
PHOTO 277 Creating a Digital Portfolio (1.5)
PHOTO 278 Flash Photography (1.5)
PHOTO 279 Advanced Lightroom (1.5)
PHOTO 350 Photojournalism (3)
Total Units: 30

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • PSLO #1 use a variety of traditional and digital cameras
  • PSLO #2 set up strobe lighting in the studio and on location for both product and people
  • PSLO #3 create a personal portfolio of images that display expertise in commercial photography
  • PSLO #4 define business goals and self promotion strategies
  • PSLO #5 interact with photographers and designers to create compelling images

Career Information

studio assistant, studio photographer, freelance photographer, editorial photographer, lab manager


Fine Art Photography Certificate

The fine art photography program is designed for students who want to enter a career path in fine art photography. Students will use a variety of cameras and formats to produce images in both color and black and white. Personal expression and creativity, history and contemporary issues in photography and visual communication will also be emphasized.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
PHOTO 301 Beginning Photography (3) 3
PHOTO 310 Intermediate Photography (3) 3
   or PHOTO 364 Advanced Black and White Photography (3)
PHOTO 320 Color Photography 3
PHOTO 360 Large Format Photography (3) 3
PHOTO 365 Alternative Process Photography (3) 3
   or PHOTO 366 Advanced Alternative Process Photography (3)
PHOTO 400 Digital Imaging (3) 3
PHOTO 420 History of Photography (3) 3
A minimum of 3 units from the following: 3
PHOTO 260 The Eastern Sierra Landscape, Yosemite Valley (2)
PHOTO 272 Lightroom (1.5)
PHOTO 273 Video Capture with DSLRs (1.5)
PHOTO 275 Digital Applications for Alternative Processes (1.5)
PHOTO 277 Creating a Digital Portfolio (1.5)
PHOTO 350 Photojournalism (3)
PHOTO 278 Flash Photography (1.5)
Total Units: 24

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • PSLO #1 communicate visual ideas in a variety of formats
  • PSLO #2 describe important historical and contemporary movements in photography
  • PSLO #3 produce a portfolio of images emphasizing personal creativity and self expression

Career Information

freelance photographer, editorial photographer, photojournalist, gallery apprentice, museum apprentice, teacher


Portraiture and Wedding Photography Certificate

The portraiture and wedding program is designed for students who want to enter a career path in wedding photography. Students will learn techniques to pose and work with models and clients, use strobe equipment and available lighting techniques, work with professionals in the field and design their own portfolio. Business strategies, self promotion, and workflow methods will also be covered.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
PHOTO 302 Beginning Digital Photography (3) 3
PHOTO 312 Intermediate Digital Photography (3) 3
PHOTO 320 Color Photography (3) 3
PHOTO 340 Careers in Photography (3) 3
   or PHOTO 400 Digital Imaging (3)
PHOTO 350 Photojournalism (3) 3
   or PHOTO 410 Advanced Digital Imaging (3)
PHOTO 370 Portraiture Techniques I 3
PHOTO 372 Portraiture Techniques II 3
PHOTO 420 History of Photography (3) 3
A minimum of 3 units from the following: 3
PHOTO 260 The Eastern Sierra Landscape, Yosemite Valley (2)
PHOTO 271 Color Management and Printing (1.5)
PHOTO 272 Lightroom (1.5)
PHOTO 273 Video Capture with DSLRs (1.5)
PHOTO 274 Digital Photography Basics (1.5)
PHOTO 275 Digital Applications for Alternative Processes (1.5)
PHOTO 277 Creating a Digital Portfolio (1.5)
PHOTO 278 Flash Photography (1.5)
PHOTO 279 Advanced Lightroom (1.5)
PHOTO 350 Photojournalism (3)
Total Units: 27

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • PSLO #1 use a variety of traditional and digital cameras
  • PSLO #2 set up strobe lighting and available lighting to effectively photograph clients and models
  • PSLO #3 create a personal portfolio of images that display expertise in wedding and portrait photography
  • PSLO #4 define business goals and self promotion strategies
  • PSLO #5 interact with clients, models and other professionals to attain a common visual goal

Career Information

photographer's assistant, wedding photographer, portrait photographer, studio assistant, editorial photographer, photojournalist