Photography

Effective: Fall 2024
Associate in Arts Program Map
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This program map from the 2024-2025 catalog year represents one possible pathway to complete this program. Your pathway may vary depending on your transfer plans and also previous college credit, including AP Test scores, concurrent enrollment courses and high school articulated courses.

I'm ready to get started. What do I do next?

  1. Review this program map to get an overview of the required courses
  2. Meet with a counselor to develop your customized student education plan www.chabotcollege.edu/counseling
  3. Use DegreeWorks, an online student education planning tool, to track your progress toward graduation www.chabotcollege.edu / admissions / degreeworks
Program Description

The Photography AA is a commercial photography degree that emphasizes digital photography methods, processes, and technology providing students the knowledge and skills required to work in the photographic industry. The core program courses provide a foundational knowledge using advanced digital capture techniques, processing and output of finished photographs in digital and printed formats. Students will learn studio photography practices and techniques working with light and color for technical and conceptual development of photographs. Throughout the program students will have the opportunity to participate in photography exhibitions and develop a professional portfolio that can be used to enter the photographic industry.


What can I do with this major?

Upon successful completion of the program students will develop the digital photography skills, professional competencies, and portfolio of work required to enter the photographic industry. Including the following career opportunities:

  • Commercial Photographer
  • Portrait Photographer
  • Studio Photographer
  • Food Photographer
  • Automotive Photographer
  • Wedding Photographer
  • Technical Photographer
  • Freelance Photographer
  • Photo Editor
  • Digital Artist.

In the Bay Area Region there are more than 1,000 annual openings for photography occupations. The Photography AA degree provides industry specific training to provide the top skills employers are looking for using digital photography and Adobe Photoshop techniques.


Learning and Career Pathway
  • Arts and Design

Icon Key

= Critical Course = Prerequisite for Other Courses = Prerequisite Required = Required for Major GE = General Education

Semester 1

14 units

PHOT 1A
Digital Photography I

3 units
Introduction to the processes, principles, and tools of digital photography. Course provides an overview of digital camera functions for automatic and manual exposure, image creation and capture, file management, and image editing. Students may use any appropriate digital camera including; DSLR, mirrorless, point & shoot or smartphone. Topics include the development of technical and aesthetic skills, elements of design and composition, camera technology, materials and equipment, and contemporary trends in digital photography. May not receive credit if PHOT 50 has been completed successfully.
Course Details:
  • Transfers to CSU
    • Terms Offered: Spring, Fall, Summer

    PHOT 2A
    Black and White Darkroom Photography

    3 units
    Introduction to the processes, principles, and tools of black and white darkroom photography. Course provides an overview of 35mm cameras and materials for exposure and development of black and white film. Traditional darkroom techniques will be used for the exploration and refinement of gelatin silver processes for printing and toning photographs. Topics include the development of technical and aesthetic skills, elements of design and composition, film cameras, materials and equipment, and contemporary trends in film photography. May not receive credit if PHOT 60 has been completed successfully.
    Course Details:
  • Transfers to CSU
    • Terms Offered: Fall, Spring

    English 1- Critical Reading and Composition

    4 units
    GE

    General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term

    3 units
    GE

    General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term. 1

    1 unit
    GE
    • 1 - PE is recommended

    Semester 2

    15-16 units

    PHOT 3A
    Introduction to Studio Lighting

    3 units
    Introduction to basic studio lighting skills using electronic flash, static, and strobe applications. Course will familiarize students with lighting techniques for portraiture, product and still-life photography, in a studio setting with specialized equipment and digital cameras. Digital production techniques and processes including basics of shooting, editing and output for digital photographs. Professional setups and standard practices, as well as alternative lighting solutions will be covered. May not receive credit if PHOT 64A has been completed successfully.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: PHOT 1A
      2. or
    2. Strongly Recommended: PHOT 50
    Terms Offered: Rotating

    Major Elective #1

    3 units
    Choose one course from the list of major electives below
    See the full list: (Click here)

    Math Course for General Education: see a counselor to choose the appropriate course.

    3-4 units
    GE

    General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

    3 units
    GE

    General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

    3 units
    GE

    Semester 3

    17-18 units

    PHOT 4A
    Color Theory for Photographers

    3 units
    This course will cover the basics of color science, color theory, language of color, color primaries and color relationships, applied using digital photography techniques. Students will study the principles, theories and applications of additive and subtractive color in photography. These concepts will be framed in a way that is relevant for photographers in composition, control of mood, emotional content, and image processing. Topics will include major historical and contemporary color systems, production of projects using applied color and the elements of color and design as they apply to photography. May not receive credit if PHOT 61 has been completed successfully.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: PHOT 1A
      2. or
    2. Strongly Recommended: PHOT 50
  • Transfers to CSU
    • Terms Offered: Rotating

    Major Elective #2

    3 units
    Choose one course from the list of major electives below
    See the full list: (Click here)

    General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

    3 units
    GE

    General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

    3-4 units
    GE

    Elective- see a counselor to choose a course that counts for elective units (can be any credit course).

    3 units

    Elective- see a counselor to choose a course that counts for elective units (can be any credit course).

    2 units

    Semester 4

    14 units

    PHOT 5A
    Photography Portfolio

    3 units
    Photography Portfolio is a capstone course for students to create a body of work that reflects their individual style. Students enrolling in the course should be experienced photographers comfortable working with advanced camera and photo editing techniques. Students may work with any photographic medium of their choice. They will print and display photos as part of a class exhibition at the end of the course. Emphasis will be on developing a cohesive portfolio of photographs that can be used to further a photographic career. May not receive credit if PHOT 62 has been completed successfully.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: PHOT 1A
      2. or
    2. Strongly Recommended: PHOT 50
    Terms Offered: Rotating

    Major Elective #3

    3 units
    Choose one course from the list of major electives below
    See the full list: (Click here)

    General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

    3 units
    GE

    General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

    2 units
    GE

    Elective- see a counselor to choose a course that counts for elective units (can be any credit course).

    3 units

    Major Electives

    PHOT 1B
    Digital Photography II

    3 units
    Digital Photography II is an intermediate digital photography course that is a continuation of Introduction to Digital Photography. Students will practice techniques that build on those learned in PHOT 1A for image capture and exposure, along with using DSLR and mirrorless camera systems. Batch processing and editing techniques working with multiple photographs in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom will be used to create digital compositions. Emphasis is on mastering basic photographic principles and concepts, and creative problem solving using strong visual communication techniques.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: PHOT 1A
      2. or
    2. Prerequisite: PHOT 50
    Terms Offered: Spring, Fall

    PHOT 2B
    Advanced Black and White Darkroom Photography

    3 units
    Advanced exploration of traditional black and white darkroom photography processes. Students will practice advanced methods for exposure, development and printing of photographs using archival fiber based techniques. 35mm and medium format film based cameras will be used for creating photographic works unique to gelatin silver based processes.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: PHOT 2A
      2. or
    2. Prerequisite: PHOT 60
    Terms Offered: Fall, Spring

    PHOT 2C
    Alternative Process Photography

    3 units
    The course provides students with the opportunity to explore alternative processes and non-silver based photography in a darkroom environment. Students will practice historical, handmade photographic printing processes which allow for creative expression beyond the traditional black and white photograph. Lensless cameras, cyanotype and van dyke brown printing processes will be incorporated with digital technologies and contact printing techniques.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: PHOT 2A
      2. or
    2. Prerequisite: PHOT 60
    3. Strongly Recommended: PHOT 2B
    Terms Offered: Spring, Fall

    PHOT 2D
    Large Format Photography

    3 units
    Advanced darkroom photography course emphasizing the use of large format processes. Students will use view cameras with full movements and advanced Zone System techniques for exposure and development of sheet film. Advanced printing methods will be used for contacts and large scale works. Along with high resolution scanning techniques for large scale negatives.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: PHOT 2A
      2. or
    2. Prerequisite: PHOT 60
    3. Strongly Recommended: PHOT 2B
    4. Strongly Recommended: PHOT 2C
    Terms Offered: Fall, Spring

    PHOT 3B
    Advanced Studio Lighting: Portraiture

    3 units
    Advanced studio lighting course that emphasizes technical and conceptual aspects of portrait photography. Students will explore lighting and design methods specific to portraiture. Advanced strobe lighting techniques will be used in the studio and on-location to create dynamic portraits.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: PHOT 3A
      2. or
    2. Prerequisite: PHOT 64A
    Terms Offered: Rotating

    PHOT 3C
    Advanced Studio Lighting: Product & Still Life

    3 units
    Advanced studio lighting course that emphasizes technical and conceptual aspects of product and still-life photography. Students will explore lighting and design methods specific to still-life. Advanced strobe lighting techniques will be used in the studio and on-location to create dynamic product shots.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: PHOT 3A
      2. or
    2. Prerequisite: PHOT 64A
    3. Strongly Recommended: PHOT 3B
    Terms Offered: Rotating

    PHOT 4B
    Advanced Color Photography Methods

    3 units
    Advanced color photography course that builds on the methods and techniques presented in Color Theory for Photographers. Photographers will achieve an advanced understanding of how to use color relationship principles with digital color management, controlling color from capture to print. Emphasis will be on exploring how light and color function together. Course discussions will present artists that use color as a central theme with an awareness of color's creative potential.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: PHOT 4A
      2. or
    2. Prerequisite: PHOT 61
    Terms Offered: Rotating

    PHOT 5B
    Photography Exhibition

    3 units
    An advanced course for photographers to focus on creating a large body of work suitable for exhibition. Photographers will professionally prepare prints and photographs. Additionally, all work must be matted, framed, and ready to hang for gallery exhibition. Emphasis will be on the safe handling of artwork in a gallery environment and archival methods for preparation, exhibition, and storage of work. Photographers who successfully complete the course will have the opportunity to exhibit their work in the Chabot Art Gallery.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: PHOT 5A
      2. or
    2. Prerequisite: PHOT 62
    Terms Offered: Rotating

    Photoshop Course (Choose PHOT 6A or DIGM 6A)

    3 units

    PHOT 6A
    Photoshop

    3 units
    Introduction to the use of Adobe Photoshop for retouching, editing, and compositing digital images. Students take their original photography and artistically adjust contrast, exposure and color balance to create enhanced compositions. Students also take a number of photos and composite the images into an artistically balanced and well-designed composition.
    Terms Offered: Summer, Spring, Fall
    or

    DIGM 6A
    Photoshop

    3 units
    Introduction to the use of Adobe Photoshop for retouching, editing, and compositing digital images. Students take their original photography and artistically adjust contrast, exposure, color balance, to create enhanced compositions. Students also take a number of images and composite images into an artistically balanced and well-designed composition.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: PHOT 1A
    Terms Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

    PHOT 6B
    Advanced Photoshop

    3 units
    Advanced course in Adobe Photoshop that expands on the use of digital image manipulation, advanced imaging effects, layer and file organization and color management for students familiar using the Creative Cloud. Industry standard practices will be covered using vector illustration techniques, photo-realistic painting, and non-destructive retouching and editing techniques for photography. Course discussions will feature digital artists that explore the use of Adobe Photoshop and the Creative Cloud in their artwork.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: PHOT 6A
      2. or
    2. Prerequisite: DIGM 6A
      3. or
    3. Prerequisite: PHOT 66
    Terms Offered: Rotating

    History of Photography Course (Choose PHOT 20 or ARTH 20)

    3 units
    Terms Offered: Rotating

    PHOT 20
    History of Photography

    3 units
    A broad chronological survey of photography from its invention to the present. Considers the medium's dual role as technology and art. Addresses a multiplicity of photographic themes and purposes. Considers the intersections of photography and technology, history, art, and everyday life.
    Terms Offered: Rotating
    or

    ARTH 20
    History of Photography

    3 units
    A broad chronological survey of photography from its invention to the present. Considers the medium's dual role as technology and art. Addresses a multiplicity of photographic themes and purposes. Considers the intersections of photography and technology, history, art, and everyday life.
    Terms Offered: Rotating

    ART 2A
    Introduction to Drawing

    3 units
    This course provides direct experience in exploring basic drawing concepts, including the expressive use of contour, value, perspective and composition while using a variety of media. Assigned projects may include still life, landscape, portraiture and figure. Focus on perceptually based drawing, observational skills, technical abilities, and creative responses to materials and subject matter.
    Course Details:
  • Transfers to CSU
    • Terms Offered: Spring, Fall, Summer

    ART 23
    2-D Foundations

    3 units
    Introduction to the concepts and applications of two-dimensional art from various cultures, historical periods, and aesthetic sensibilities. The course covers fundamental theoretical concepts and terminology common to all two-dimensional art activities, including the study and analysis of the basic principles of organization and elements of line, shape, value, texture, color, spatial illusion. Designed to develop a visual vocabulary for creative expression through lecture presentations, studio projects, problem solving and written assignments. (May not receive credit if ART 10 has been completed)
    Course Details:
    Terms Offered: Fall, Spring

    DIGM 1
    Introduction to Digital Art

    3 units
    Introduction to fundamental concepts, practices, and theories of digital art production. Topics include integration of traditional design, color, and compositional principles with contemporary digital tools.
    Course Details:
    Terms Offered: Spring, Fall
    Total Units: 60-62 units
    This program map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.