CP - Commercial Photography

CP150 Digital Imaging

Credits 5Fall

Registration Requirement: RD090, WR090 and MTH020, each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels. Concurrent Requisite: IM178.

This beginning digital photography course covers manual camera operation, exposure and software for capturing and storing digital still images. Students focus on image capture as they explore the fundamentals of color, light and composition. Critical viewing skills are developed through discussion and critique.

Additional Course Fee: $50.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate manual camera operation
  2. Describe the functions of apertures and shutter speeds and their effect on depth of field and motion
  3. Capture images from different environments and settings using natural and available lighting
  4. Apply descriptive vocabulary when discussing photographic processes
  5. Evaluate photography for composition, color, content and proper technique
  6. Demonstrate use of digital imaging software to edit and manage assets
  7. Read histograms to determine correct exposure and color balance
  8. Practice pre-planning techniques for visualization

CP151 Studio Lighting

Credits 5Winter

Registration Requirement: Acceptance into the Integrated Media program.

Students explore specific applications to lighting concepts and principles for photography in a controlled studio setting. With an emphasis on product and portrait photography, students apply advanced lighting modifications to achieve compelling results. Propping, styling and light modification skills used in a variety of commercial applications are also introduced. Audit available with instructor approval.

Additional Course Fee: $50.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate basic lighting techniques essential to still-life photography
  2. Demonstrate basic multi-light portrait setups
  3. Demonstrate proficiency in lighting for textured, reflective, and transparent objects
  4. Demonstrate the basics of using studio grip and electrical equipment
  5. Demonstrate the use of both continuous and strobe lighting and how to utilize various light modifiers
  6. Develop organizational product design, advertising needs and aesthetic
  7. Explain the need for pre-visualization and model personality in achieving successful portraits

CP152 Commercial Lighting Applications

Credits 5Spring

Registration Requirement: CP150 or IM150, or instructor approval.

Students learn lighting skills including metering, exposure control, lighting judgment and light control techniques. Students use industry-standard camera systems, capture software and advanced digital retouching to fully control light and communicate an intended mood and message. A focus is placed on editorial and advertising photography, with a variety of subjects including portraiture, still life, food and architecture. Audit available with instructor approval.

Additional Course Fee: $50.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate basic lighting techniques
  2. Describe lighting principles including the inverse square law, diffusion, contrast and incident angles
  3. Demonstrate increasing fluency with software applications, features and tools
  4. Demonstrate safe operation of basic lighting equipment including flash, mono lights and power packs
  5. Employ single- and multi-light setups mixed with natural light on location
  6. Demonstrate applications of light modifers including reflectors, grids and soft-boxes
  7. Demonstrate the ability to shoot and use available and artificial lighting in various genres of advertising and editorial photography, including portraiture, still life, food and architectural photography

CP165 Advanced Photographic Solutions

Credits 5Spring

Students will study the entire digital workflow, from tethered capture to advanced post-processing techniques. Students will master the digital technician workflow and asset management in preparation for image enhancement, file delivery and output. In addition, advanced retouching topics covered include compositing, advanced color manipulation and inkjet printing.

Additional Course Fee: $75.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate the industry standard Digital Technician workflow, from tethered capture to advanced digital asset management.
  2. Demonstrate effective use of presets, plugins, actions and other workflow aides
  3. Develop advanced color correction and image adjustment workflows
  4. Integrate imagery from a variety of sources into a cohesive visual concept
  5. Develop advanced compositing techniques for photo illustration
  6. Demonstrate effective inkjet printing techniques using a variety of substrates

CP170 Creative Approaches in Photography

Credits 3Fall

To be successful in the industry, image makers must find a balance between artistic intent and professional goals. In order to develop a strong personal aesthetic, it is essential to be able to understand and interpret the power and meaning of both still and moving images. With an emphasis on critical thinking and analysis, this course will explore recent photographic and cinematic luminaries, movements, events and the medium's intersection with contemporary culture. Students will investigate theoretical and critical concepts through relevant and interrelated readings, lectures, discussions, assignments, and critiques.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Assess the influences of changing culture and technology on contemporary media and photography
  2. Examine historical and contemporary cinema and its influence on modern image making
  3. Explain modern photographic styles and relate them to significant historical figures and movements in photography
  4. Interpret and compare contemporary image making from a variety of international cultures
  5. Recognize major styles within the contemporary photographic medium

CP250 Advanced Commercial Lighting Applications

Credits 5Winter

Registration Requirement: CP153 or DP153.

Students learn advanced lighting, preproduction and postproduction techniques, and explore markets for advertising and retail photography as they produce images that exemplify advanced conceptual, technical and design skills. Discussions and demonstrations will explore advanced strategies for composition, content and style. Students use industry-standard camera systems, capture software and advanced digital retouching to fully control light and communicate an intended mood and message.

Additional Course Fee: $50.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Compose images that show an understanding of how to control light, pose, gesture and environment for creative effect
  2. Demonstrate the use of industry standard studio and location grip equipment
  3. Demonstrate the use of tethering and controlling a camera from an on-location computer
  4. Discuss the principles of lighting the three universal surfaces: reflective, transparent and textured
  5. Implement research strategies to plan for more complex, conceptual photoshoots
  6. Incorporate natural and artificial lighting in more advanced scenarios with effective digital camera operation
  7. Utilize lighting to create an underlying mood or feeling

CP251 Multimedia Storytelling

Credits 5Fall

Registration Requirement: Second-year Integrated Media: Photography students.

As photography evolves and intersects with other disciplines, versatility becomes an essential quality for the contemporary photographer. To amplify their skillsets and augment professional opportunities, students explore techniques for effective video and audio capture. Emphasis is placed on narrative and the elements of great storytelling for a variety of digital platforms. Audit available with instructor approval.

Additional Course Fee: $50.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate ability to assemble cohesive visual stories using various imaging and sound technologies
  2. Demonstrate ability to develop concepts and pitch creative solutions that meet the needs of a potential clients' creative brief
  3. Demonstrate flexibility in working with evolving media technologies and environments
  4. Describe the legal and ethical responsibilities of a multimedia content creator
  5. Identify the content and qualities of an image, still or moving, that enable it to successfully tell a story about a person, place, event or organization

CP252 Multimedia Content Creation

Credits 5Spring

Registration Requirement: CP251 or DP249.

This course continues to explore the digital tools necessary to create a wide variety of creative and effective digital content. While exploring traditional narrative and nonlinear approaches, students learn how to use time and movement to engage viewers and create meaningful communication.

Additional Course Fee: $50.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Apply basic concepts of non-linear video editing
  2. Apply project management skills by preparing written project timelines, documentation, and parameters
  3. Apply understanding of lighting to video production
  4. Assemble documentation of the research and creative process through storyboarding
  5. Assess current market demands for video techniques among professional photographers
  6. Demonstrate knowledge of file preparation within industry standard software
  7. Edit sound in the video production

CP260 Professional Practices for Photographers

Credits 4Fall

Registration Requirement: Second-year standing in an Integrated Media program or program director approval.

This course prepares students for careers in media as professional photographers. Topics include intellectual property, contracts and other entrepreneurial concepts, as well as record-keeping for freelancing in the creative services industry. Students prepare for internships, employment and/or self-employment by writing resumes, learning networking skills, various business-related tasks, and assembling and assessing initial portfolio work. Audit available with instructor approval.

Additional Course Fee: $20.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Complete the process of determining the value of photographic services as an employee and freelancer
  2. Demonstrate the ability to estimate the costs of a photographic service
  3. Determine personal and professional goals to achieve upon graduation
  4. Develop strategies for providing excellent customer service and serving a client base
  5. Identify appropriate strategies for establishing and running a successful photography business
  6. Identify appropriate strategies for finding employment within the creative services industries

Course fees are subject to change. Additional section fees (web, hybrid, etc.) may apply.