Catalog Description

Prerequisite: Completion of PHOT 70A with a grade of “C” or better
Hours: 90 (36 lecture, 54 laboratory)
Description: Additional creative and technical work with studio lighting and portfolio development. Concentration on refining studio techniques used in commercial and fine art photography. Students create a focused body of work over the course of the semester. (CSU)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Synthesize photographic interests, skills and abilities with professional goals and portfolio development.
  • CSLO #2: Investigate industry requirements and resources.
  • CSLO #3: Use various cameras, lenses, exposure techniques, and lighting skills to photograph still life or portraits.
  • CSLO #4: Create, evaluate, and present a focused, pre-professional portfolio for critique.

Effective Term

Fall 2025

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

90

Outside of Class Hours

72

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives


Lecture Objectives:
1. Describe studio lighting techniques and concepts.
2. Explain measurable goals statements for portfolio development
and focused study.
3. Identify further educational opportunities within the field of
photography.
4. Compare and contrast properties of cameras and lenses.
5. Recall the characteristics of light.
6. Critique portraits or still life photographs created using studio
lighting.
7. Report on visit to professional meeting and/or interview with
professional photographer.
 

Laboratory Objectives
8. Create photographs of portrait or still life subjects using
studio lighting equipment.
9. Prepare, present and evaluate a pre-professional body of work.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

          • CSU Transferable

          Methods of Evaluation

          • Classroom Discussions
            • Example: The instructor will show samples of food photography and discuss food styling and reality in food advertising. The students will be asked to discuss their personal experiences with food photography that they have encountered, and their thoughts on the when the food in the imagery is real or fake. Students are evaluated on participation, their ability to actively engage in the discussion and to provide and receive valuable feedback from their peers.
          • Objective Examinations
            • Example: Students take a 20-point quiz where they identify the appropriate lens selection and camera settings for a variety of still life and portrait photographs. The quiz will be scored, assigned a grade on a traditional grading scale, and reviewed in class.
          • Projects
            • Example: Create focused pre-professional portfolio of portraits and/or still life subjects. Students will be graded on technical requirements and inclusion of specific concepts. Work is evaluated on aesthetic principles demonstrated through rubric defining concept, composition, craft, consistency, communication and presentation.
          • Reports
            • Example: After attending a meeting of an organization of professional photographers, the student will create a written report detailing their experience and what they learned. Evaluation will be based on the assigned level of detail required, what new information was gained, the purpose of the organization and the resources they provide to members.
          • Skill Demonstrations
            • Example: Students will demonstrate the calculation of lighting ratios. Evaluation will be based upon proper use of the meter (dome up/dome down) placement and actual calculation of the ratio.

          Repeatable

          No

          Methods of Instruction

          • Laboratory
          • Lecture/Discussion
          • Distance Learning

          Lab:

          1. Following review of classic styles, mood and facial structure, instructor sets up lighting to demonstrate selection of appropriate lighting styles for lighting with students as models. Visual problems of posing, choosing appropriate lighting, mood, lens selection and vantage point are addressed during instructor's discussion. Student’s are actively engaged as models and assistants during the demonstration. Instructor then assists students directly as they apply techniques discussed and demonstrated to portraits created during lab time.

          Lecture:

          1. Instructor lectures with visual examples on photographing glass or other highly reflective objects and principle of angle of incidence. Instructor does demonstration of the principle of angle of incidence. An assignment handout with grading rubric is given to students where the lecture material will be applied by students to still life photography. Instructor evaluates student’s solutions to assigned still life assignment with written feedback based on the grading rubric.

          Distance Learning

          1. Instructor will create a video or PowerPoint presentation with audio on color temperature in studio lighting. Instructor will also provide the appropriate chapter in the textbook or a link to OER on the subject for students to read. Student will seek any necessary clarifications through discussion boards or office hours. Student will then apply this knowledge to create proper color in portfolio creation.

          Typical Out of Class Assignments

          Reading Assignments

          1. Read the handout on the use of multiple bursts to increase flash exposure. Summarize the steps for proper exposure.

          Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

          1. Interview a professional photographer using the suggested questionnaire as a guide. Summarize your findings in a two-page paper.

          Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

          1. Create focused pre-professional portfolio of portraits and/or still life subjects.

          Required Materials

          • Light and Shadow: Dynamic Lighting Design for Studio Portrait Photography
            • Author: Corbell
            • Publisher: Amherst Media
            • Publication Date: 2017
            • Text Edition: 1st
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • Light Science & Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting
            • Author: Hunter, Bive, Fuqua, & Reid
            • Publisher: Focal Press
            • Publication Date: 2021
            • Text Edition: 6th
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • Studio: Lighting Setups for Portrait Photography
            • Author: Andreas Bübl
            • Publisher: Rocky Nook
            • Publication Date: 2023
            • Text Edition: 1st
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:

          Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.

          Instructor supplementary hand-out, charts, model releases. Students must supply digital storage media, inkjet printing paper and presentations materials.