Photography

Recommended High School Level Background Courses

• Applied Math
• *Composition
• *History
• *Economics
• Art
• Design
• Keyboarding

* Courses available in the Academic Achievement Center or High School Completion Center

Basic Skills in the Program and on the Job

Reading

Textbooks for photography courses present technical procedures in a straightforward, step-by-step format that requires the reader to relate text to illustrations. Students are expected to prepare for lectures by reading their texts, and their tests are based on a combination of text and lecture material. Texts for their science and social science courses are written at a college level; each may require 30-50 pages of reading per week.
On the job, photographers must stay updated on a changing field by reading photography, photojournalistic magazines, and newspapers. They must also use websites to learn about software updates for their computers and cameras.

View more information on reading skills in the Photography program.

Language

Photographers need good one-to-one communication skills, which students practice throughout the program. In their first-semester Photojournalism course, students interact with law enforcement and health care personnel. In addition, they work with clients in courses like Studio Photography and Individual Projects.
Written work in the program is brief but precise. It includes fill-the-blank quizzes that require correct spelling ; captions for photojournalism shots that identify who, what, when, where, and why; and explanations of travel photos that identify a location, explain why it was chosen as a place of interest, and sometimes include background material obtained from interviews.

Students in this program may choose SPC101, Fundamentals of Oral Communication; SPC126, Interpersonal & Small Group Communication; or ENG105, Composition I to meet the communications requirement for their diploma.

View more information on language skills in the Photography program.

Math

Three mathematical considerations are at the core of professional photography: aperture openings, shutter fractions, and sensitivity ratings for film or digital sensors. In their program coursework, students learn how to calculate and apply various combinations of these factors. In addition, students take BUS112, Business Math, which will be particularly useful if they start their own small businesses.

View more information on math skills in the Photography program.

Learning

Students in the photography program must be able to follow instructional sequences accurately and work on multiple projects at the same time. They sharpen their observational skills as they learn to select subject, lighting, and angle for a photograph. As they move through the program, students also develop problem-solving skills, such as deciding on the best way to take a photo when obstacles are present or when they need to stay out of the way of law enforcement personnel during photojournalistic shoots.

View more information on learning skills in the Photography program.

Computer

Beginning with their first semester, students learn to use Photoshop. On the job they will continue to use this software in its most current version. In addition, basic familiarity with keyboarding and word processing skills will be helpful , as most instructors expect written assignments to be typed.

View more information on computer skills in the Photography program.

Beyond learning the basics of photography, the most successful students in this program demonstrate common sense and good people skills.