The study of photography offers a multitude of career possibilities. From fine art to commercial applications, photography is an exciting field that involves an education founded in conceptual as well as technical aspects. The development of the visual mind and a technical foundation in both traditional and digital imaging are the goals of the study of photography at Victor Valley College.
Career Opportunities
Aerial Surveying, Advertising, Architectural Design, Fine Art, Art Education, Digital Imaging, Fashion, Filmmaking, Forensic and Criminal Applications, Environmental Biology, Portrait Photography, Photojournalism and Product Photography.
Faculty
Foster, John Franklin
Shelby, Christina
Transfer
- California State University campuses at East Bay, Fullerton, Hayward, San Jose, Long Beach, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo
- Art Center College of Design, Pasadena
- California College of Arts and Crafts, Oakland
- California Institute of the Arts, Valencia
- Chapman University
The programs listed above are a sampling of colleges which offer photography majors or photography concentrations within Art or Applied Art majors. Photography is a concentration or option within an Art or Applied Art major within the University of California and California State University systems. Various private or independent colleges that focus specifically on the arts offer bachelor’s degrees with a major in photography or as a concentration or option within an Art or Applied Art major.
Because the major and the general education requirements vary in this major from university to university, students interested in photography should study the catalog or website of the specific university to which they plan to transfer. For the most up-to-date information on these programs and others, visit assist.org and, for independent schools, aiccu.edu. Please stop by the Transfer Center in Building 23 or make an appointment with a counselor if you have questions.
Associate Degree
No associate degree offered with a major in photography. Photography courses may be used to fulfill requirements for an Associate in Arts degree with a major in Fine Arts. See specific listings for degree requirements in these majors. PHOT 138 Work Experience Education Photography may be used as elective credit, but may not be used to fulfill major requirements.
Photography Certificate of Achievement
State Control Number: 38235
Program Code: PHOT.CERT
Approved for Federal Financial Aid: Yes
This certificate provides an opportunity for the student to continue on toward earning an AA-T degree in Studio Arts that aligns with existing undergraduate programs in the CSU and UC systems. The student will study traditional, digital photography, and a variety of technical skills. The creation of a photographically based portfolio will complete this certificate. An emphasis will be placed on learning computer based photographic editing programs and the mastery of digital cameras and output devices.
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
PHOT 100 | Beginning Photography | 3.0 |
PHOT 101 | Intermediate Photography | 3.0 |
PHOT 111 | Beginning Digital Photography | 3.0 |
PHOT 133 | Introduction to Photoshop | 3.0 |
PHOT 153 | Photographic Lighting Techniques | 3.0 |
PHOT 154 | Portfolio Design | 3.0 |
Complete one course from the following: | 3.0 | |
Portraiture | ||
Intermediate Photoshop | ||
History of Still Photography | ||
Commericial Photography | ||
Environmental Photography | ||
Total Units | 21 |
Photography Courses
This course will present cell phone basics that can be applied to a variety of situation in which better cell phone photography is the goal.
Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Not transferable
This is a course that introduces the basics of black and white photography. Technical and conceptual topics will be covered. Grade Option. CSU/UC
Lecture Hours: 36.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
This course will cover the basic principles of photographing people, both outdoors, and in the lighting studio. Topics will include lighting techniques, posing, and commercial and fine art applications. No prerequisite. CSU
Recommended Preparation: PHOT 100, PHOT 101, and PHOT 111
Lecture Hours: 36.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This lab class is an introduction to the basics of photojournalism including basic photography skills, digital imaging, processing, composition, and production of written news stories. CSU
Lecture Hours: 36.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This course will introduce intermediate techniques of Adobe Photoshop and its application to digital media. CSU
Lecture Hours: 36.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This beginning digital photography course will cover a variety of imaging basics, such as camera controls and exposure. Basic image construction and elemental editing will be covered. CSU
Lecture Hours: 36.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This course surveys the history and development of photography across the globe from its inception to the present. Photographic works are investigated in relation to art history, cultural history and social history. This course concludes with a consideration of photography in the digital age. No prerequisite. CSU/UC
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
This course will introduce the basics of imaging manipulation and its application to digital photography. No prerequisite. CSU
Lecture Hours: 36.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
Work Experience Education is a key element of Victor Valley College's comprehensive approach to career development. Work Experience Education is a 16-, 12-, or 8-week course that enables students to receive college credit for paid or unpaid work opportunities. This course helps students gain valuable on-the-job work experience while providing practical education, best practices in professional development, and academic guidance through the course of their work opportunity. The combination of practical experience and curricular development empowers students to be more competi tive, efficient and valuable employees upon completion of this program and/or their academic program trajectory. The course is ideal for students who are cross-training at their current worksite for upward mobility or seeking career changes, as well as those looking for entry-level occupati onaltraining through work-based learning experiences such as through an internship. Work Experience Education transforms community businesses, industries, and public agencies into expanded educational training laboratories.Credit is awarded on the basis of learning objectives completed and the number of hours the student trains.Students must create/complete new learning objectives each semester they enroll. Students may utilize their present work sites. More details are available in the Work Experience Education Office, (760) 245-4271, ext. 2281.The office, located in the Academic Commons, is open Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., 2:00-6:00 p.m., and by appointment. Please refer to the Work Experience Education section in this catalog for more information. CSU
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This class will introduce commercially orientated photographic lighting concepts common to the marketplace. Topics will include food, product, fashion, editorial photography as well as commercial portraiture. Business practices, ethics and legal considerations as it relates to photography will be discussed. Grade Option. CSU
Recommended Preparation: PHOT 100, PHOT 101, and PHOT 111
Lecture Hours: 36.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This course will cover basic camera exposure and composition for a variety of outdoor settings. Topics include: landscape photography, animal photography, flower photography, sports photography, macro photography and outdoor portraits. The uses and understanding of filters, flash and film. Some field trips will be required. Grade Option. CSU
Lecture Hours: 36.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This course will introduce the student to the fundamentals of lighting and its application to imaging processes. A range of topics will be covered, such as portraiture, product and commercial applications. No prerequiste. CSU
Recommended Preparation: PHOT 100, PHOT 101, or PHOT 111
Lecture Hours: 36.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This course will present visual problems for the student to solve for the purpose of creating traditional and digital portfolio. This is a capstone class in which the portfolio will demonstrate the student's photographic education, experience and area of interest.
Recommended Preparation: PHOT 100, PHOT 101, and PHOT 111
Lecture Hours: 36.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
Program Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are statements of the kind of learning a program hopes a student will achieve. The PLOs describe the knowledge, skills, problem-solving, communication and values that apply to all certificates and/or degrees within that program.
Upon completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a practical and technical command of photographic methods and materials.
- Create a body of work that transmits specific intent, personal insight and creative expression that meets the quality set forth by industry standards.
- Prepare a professional portfolio demonstrating formal, conceptual and technical development.