Photography & Imaging

The purpose of third term review is to assess that students are on track and to identify any apparent shortcomings that a student's work may have. This is not meant to be a comprehensive review, rather we are verifying that each and every student is achieving/applying the expected standard of education appropriate for this term level.

Course number: PHOT-200
Prerequisite: n/a

This review addresses academic, aesthetic, and technical issues in each student146s work. Some kind portfolio (need not be finished) or presentation is required to show the work, but additional work outside that form is also acceptable and encouraged. Students begin their review by making a presentation of their work, direction of study and a short explanation of the outcomes from the classes that the work was done in. In showing the work, the student should clarify a range of skills they are comfortable employing, skills that they want to improve and a plan for how they will continue through graduation.

Course number: PHOT-300
Prerequisite: n/a

These reviews will address aesthetic, technical and academic issues. This is not an exit interview, but one designed to assess a student's plan to move into the professional workplace and to give them an additional term to address what is discovered in the review. Reviewers recognize things in the work presented that can be addressed in a student's last term. This is an important review of preparedness, confidence and confrontation with the reality of graduation.

Course number: PHOT-400
Prerequisite: n/a

On the threshold of art created by word-prompted artificial intelligence, this 1-credit course provides an introduction to Generative Image Making with Artificial Intelligence (AI) utilizing Midjourney. Trained on 5.8 billion images, Midjourney is an AI image generation tool that takes user created text prompts and uses it's Machine Learning (ML) algorithm to produce unique images. This course is designed for artists, designers, and photographers that are new to the world of AI-generated images. Through a series of projects, students will explore the capabilities and limitations of generative art. Students will develop their own unique approach to AI-assisted image making and learn how to utilize this new technology in their creative processes. This course will include prompt creation, blend mode, seed images, data sets, and explore the ethics of AI usage.

Course number: PHOT-208A
Prerequisite: n/a

The Advanced Photographic Processes I class course deals primarily, but not exclusively with the concepts of correct exposure of film, its subsequent development, and reproduction of the negative images into positive prints. After considerable time, energy, and effort in exploring the conceptual entanglements of "Exposure and Development" the student will understand what a good quality negative is, and how it translates into a good quality print.

Course number: PHOT-121A
Prerequisite: n/a

There is authenticity and luminance to a Gelatin Silver Print. The print itself has value as an object of beauty. This course sets out to advance your understanding of the use of black and white film, paper, and chemistry to produce images of exceptional craft. This course will build upon your technical foundation of the silver gelatin medium, however the main goal is to use the techniques to ensure the success of a 10 image, personally driven, body of work. All effort will be made to push this traditional medium to support the concept of the "Final Project". This will be an excellent opportunity to work on a short term or long term project. Techniques for "expressive use" will be drawn from the use of grain, contrast and toning as well other techniques. Archival printing and matting to gallery standards will be accomplished. All format of cameras are accepted as long as the lens has an f-stop and shutter speed. As a class, we will pick the best image from each student's "Final" to form a group show that will be displayed on the wall outside the Black and White Lab.

Course number: PHOT-122A
Prerequisite: n/a

"Advanced Studio" is a studio class for advanced undergraduate students working in all mediums including photography. The purpose of the class is to provide ample studio time for students to develop their individual studio projects in an open studio/seminar environment under faculty guidance. The studio aspect of the class is enhanced by intensive weekly group critiques of new work or works-in-progress. Emphasis will be on creating a thematically cohesive body of work and/or ambitious project which reflects the culmination of knowledge and exploration the student has achieved. Photography Students taking this course must be 5th term or above. This course can be credited towards an elective or TDS.

Course number: PHOT-385
Prerequisite: n/a

Photographers in today's content creation environment are often expected to deliver motion content along with still photographs. Advanced Video for Still Photographers is geared towards students with a photography background who want to expand their abilities to create motion-based work. Building on INT 176- Basic of Video Production students will deepen their understanding of how to conceptualize and execute a narrative or documentary short film project, taking it through all the stages of production over the course of 14 weeks. Current methods of video production and storytelling concepts will be conveyed through lectures, sample clips, and hands-on presentation. In-class assignments will be completed in groups work to cement the learned skills. There will be an emphasis on students critiquing each other's work.

Course number: PHOT-315
Prerequisite: n/a

This course will explore alternative processes to the black and white photographic print including platinum prints, liquid light, pinhole cameras. Students are encouraged to explore the creative uses of a variety of processing and printing to expand their photographic vocabulary and personal body of work.

Course number: PHOT-207A
Prerequisite: n/a

This class guides students into seeing how both natural and artificial light give dimension, texture and mood to a structure or interior space. The ultimate goal is to create a photograph which translates the experience of being in a space to the 2-dimensional world of photography. Students will begin to master lighting in a variety of spaces and the control of multiple light sources and types.

Course number: PHOT-251A
Prerequisite: n/a

Course Summary: Theories of color and light are fully examined as a pathway to achieve a sound understanding of color photography. This course will place emphasis on the properties of color negative film and its inherit characteristics, with the stated goal of gaining a working understanding of the relationships between exposure, development and printing. Further discussions will center on the aesthetics of color itself, and its role as a vehicle of effective visual communication.

Course number: PHOT-257A
Prerequisite: n/a

In this class students will examine the fundamental elements of pictorial construction and learn to apply these through a series of assigned projects. These projects will be based on one or more of the compositional problems examined in class and will give students an opportunity to exercise and apply these compositional concepts. The assignments will begin with simple principles and, as students learn to juggle more complicated material, increase in complexity. In addition to the photographically based assignments students will be required to keep a sketchbook for ideation sketches and drawing. Through drawing students will explore strategies for compositional analysis as well as figural investigations from the live model. The subject matter in the first half of the trimester will be still life followed by figural work in the second half.

Course number: PHOT-104A
Prerequisite: n/a

Students will learn to define the problem at hand and to understand the difference between an idea and a developed concept. The class will explore the nature of the creative process and the value of a focused work ethic. Students will discover ways to think visually and to understand that the quality and quantity of decisions made while working define one's creative style. Students will begin to construct images that show evidence of their understanding of the value of light, pose, gesture, composition, and environment and how to fashion these elements for creative effect and to take responsibility for every aspect of their image.

Course number: PHOT-102A
Prerequisite: n/a

This course consists of a series of assignments designed to cultivate love of, and respect for light. The first assignments will introduce you to the basic vocabulary of lighting: lighting direction and formal definition, hard and soft light qualities, separation, fill ratio, basic laws of light and the dynamics of lighting. My expectations for these assignments will be very specific; your task will be to closely copy given examples, and the assignments will encourage careful and patient observation. Once you have integrated these lessons, once you have begun to intuitively "think in light", the assignments will open up to allow you to apply these skills more freely in the service of your own creative vision.

Course number: PHOT-160A
Prerequisite: n/a

In this class students will learn the basic vocabulary and architecture of paginated materials: books, magazines, catalogs, web, etc. Class will focus on an understanding of the principles of scale, size, proportion, position, direction, point of view, cropping and sequencing within this context. Students will learn the roles of designer, art director, photographer, picture editor, editor, and writer in the publication process and to understand how to plan and organize multi-image projects to achieve narrative strategies.

Course number: PHOT-312A
Prerequisite: n/a

This class will help students understand what it is like to work for a variety of publications today. Students will be asked to fulfill realistic and challenging assignments from simple portraits to elaborate conceptual stories. We will look at historical and contemporary work and engage in discussions that inspire as well as offer important practical skills. Students will be encouraged to develop a professional approach that includes knowing your potential client, building relationships with photo editors and art directors, shaping ideas and concepts with art reference, and devising a clear plan of production prior to a session. Artistic vision and style will be emphasized simultaneously with the importance of completing a job successfully and professionally. Regular assignments with real deadlines will generate work for weekly critique and portfolio editing and development. Through this range of assignments, students will learn to fulfill the demands of a client, while developing their own artistic voice. They will learn the value of a well thought out production plan, and that collaborating and being professional in all aspects of a job is what may get them hired again. They will grow more comfortable and confident talking about their own work. They will understand the importance of a good edit. They will decide what kind of magazines they want to work for, and how to steer their portfolio and promotional materials towards getting such assignments.

Course number: PHOT-316A
Prerequisite: n/a

This course is designed to work with graduating students to refine their exit plan addressing issues such as prospective clients, interview skills, self-promotion and their final presentation of their work for Grad Show exhibition.

Course number: PHOT-461A
Prerequisite: n/a

In this course we will assess the role of photography in Art and reciprocally, the role of Art in photography. You will make images. This class will assist you in seeing the differences among photographs and what role photographs play in society. Students are encouraged to create their own distinct images that speak their intentions in a more clearly articulated voice.

Course number: PHOT-254A
Prerequisite: n/a

Explore the dynamic relationship between cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies and the artistry of high-fashion photography in this 14-week course. This course delves into essential aspects of fashion photography, enhanced by current AI tools (Midjourney, Generative fill, Adobe Firefly). Students will learn how to blend strong editorial fashion sensibilities with professional production, styled wardrobes, and sophisticated hair and makeup, and use AI to create unique sets, locations and accessories that seamlessly integrate products, emotions, and fantastical elements. The course includes hands-on assignments such as in vivo photoshoots and in silico post-processing, where students working in teams will add environmental elements, elaborate sets and wardrobe enhancements. Discussions and assignments will focus on directing, communicating, solving problems, collaborating, and understanding the roles of creative partners. Participants will also have the opportunity to develop mood boards, proposals, and research resources that span from traditional and historical influences to contemporary expressions of Haute Couture inspired fashion. Open to Photography, Illustration, Film and Product Design students.

Course number: PHOT-306A
Prerequisite: n/a

This course will provide students the functions, procedures and applications of Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom to expand students' creative vision and help them define their personal style. Students will learn to master workflow and develop best practices for photographers. The class will address retouching images, adjustment layers, exposure histograms, color theory and management, color temperature, white balance, resolution and histograms. The course will also introduce students to inkjet and Chromira printing as well as flatbed scanning of images.

Course number: PHOT-111A
Prerequisite: n/a

This class allows students to move past the beginning stages of digital photography, exposure and printing and to start to become a power user in a variety of digital software and hardware. Students will learn to work more efficiently and speak the language of digital imagery. After this class, photographic creativity should not suffer due to insufficient technical knowledge. Compositing and retouching should be seamless.

Course number: PHOT-112A
Prerequisite: n/a

Location lighting is an introduction to the particular skills that photographers use when working on assignment outside the studio. Editorial and advertising projects need to be shot on location and specific equipment and strategies are required for successful results. Many jobs require working with talent and lighting them in a specific environment to create a certain look or mood. Classroom meetings will present theory, critique, problem solving, stylized lighting and its application. Location lighting demos, class shoots and assignments will provide hands-on experience. There will be extra assistants and guest speakers during class demos.

Course number: PHOT-358A
Prerequisite: n/a

This class will build on the educational experiences that were created in the Still Life class. Refinement of visual ideas and narrative will be practiced. Special attention to image content through the use of various photographic and digital techniques will be explored. Research, development, planning and practice will be encouraged for all finished works. Assignments for this class will consist of individual narrative constructs as well as an extended series of work that deals with a specific view or narrative them.

Course number: PHOT-321
Prerequisite: n/a

In this course students will refine their skills with regard to conceptualizing, cost estimating, location scouting and producing photographic assignments. Assignments can be geared to students personal photographic direction and potential clients.

Course number: PHOT-411A
Prerequisite: n/a

This course provides information and skills fundamental to the working photographer. The primary focus and goal will be to prepare a portfolio for presentation to clients, reps and agencies that is unique and representative of each students work. Students will explore the nature and value of an overall concept, technique, typography and choice of materials necessary to create a portfolio presentation.

Course number: PHOT-360A
Prerequisite: n/a

This course builds on the foundations of lighting learned in Core Lighting. Students will begin to explore and master more advanced lighting techniques while focusing on portrait photography using both studio and natural lighting in both film and digital circumstances. Students will begin to understand how lighting translates into emotion and narrative in both black and white and color photography. The class will cover a variety of lighting options as well as the myriad of light modifiers that can be used to create a personal photographic vision.

Course number: PHOT-217A
Prerequisite: n/a

This class continues to build upon the foundation lighting courses by exploring in greater depth the creation and control of artificial light in the context of professional product photography. The focus will be on the intent of the photographer in using lighting to emphasize or hide aspects of the objects at hand. The class structure allows the students to experience first hand challenges that they would encounter professionally through class shoots, demonstrations, and critique of student assignments. Students will develop the fluency and the knowledge necessary to determine the perfect lighting for each given situation as it relates to real world product photography, be it in advertising or editorial venues.

Course number: PHOT-338A
Prerequisite: n/a

This 0-credit lab grants recent alumni access to campus facilities and resources as needed to complete your final projects and portfolio work from the last semester. Access will be coordinated with our facilities team in a safe and staggered schedule. Students will need to communicate with their department a specific list of projects and identify the specific resources you need to complete your work.

Course number: PHOT-491
Prerequisite: n/a

This course provides students with direct access to photographers from diverse backgrounds and specialties, at varying levels of experience with the goal of challenging or confirming their assumptions and expectations about their careers in photography. In addition, students will learn proven techniques for leveraging copyright, contracts, estimates, invoices, negotiations, licensing and standard industry practices to succeed as professional visual artists.

Course number: PHOT-405A
Prerequisite: n/a

Advanced Still Life Photography. Exploration of commercial and fine art. Still life photography with an emphasis on styling, composition, lighting.

Course number: PHOT-311A
Prerequisite: n/a

Sensuality, seduction and pleasure are at the core of almost every effort in the worlds of entertainment, advertising and marketing. In order to ignite desire and create brand awareness in consumers and audiences, it is necessary to speak in symbolic visual terms. A curated selection of films, advertising campaigns, photography, brand materials and 'brand codes' will be examined in order to form an understanding of the traditions of the art of visual seduction and how such traditions constantly evolve in response to society's ever- changing conditions and values. Students will create concepts, research documents, mood boards and a short film using pre-existing footage, the focus of which will be an instructor-assigned luxury brand communication project.

Course number: PHOT-326
Prerequisite: n/a

This class is designed to give the student a good working knowledge of the use of the View Camera. Both the technical and creative uses of the camera are explored through demonstrations and class assignments. Work will be critiqued in class. Students are encouraged to explore their personal vision.

Course number: PHOT-107A
Prerequisite: n/a

What's Your Story blends selfie culture, personal history archiving, with a direct introduction to the many cultures and cultural experiences in Southern California. Students work together at a community event by asking people to sit down and tell their stories with the added element of photography and portraiture. Integral to the project is the recognition and visibility that comes with sharing a story, a history, and culture with the world. This class offers students real-world community involvement and the practical experience of public, fast paced production. Students will crew a festival booth to facilitate the creation of an image and oral history archiving. Based on the community event, assignments will include visiting lecturers, readings, research, video, and discussion. This class may require weekend or evening participation off campus. Anyone who comes to the "What's Your Story?" booth will be gifted a portrait on 13 x 19 print, those who participate further by granting us an interview, will have their stories archived and celebrated through a breadth of social media outlets, exhibitions, and publications. Their stories will reach well beyond their personal social algorithm.

Course number: PHOT-209A
Prerequisite: n/a