In the first quarter, students will be introduced to: the principles of photography, observing light, photographic categories, basic business practices, and professional development skills that will serve as a foundation for the remainder of the Digital Photography program. In Principles of Photography you will be instructed, through hands-on learning and assignments, the controls of your camera and terminologies related to: the exposure triangle, framing and composition, lens optics and basic color theory. Observing Light will put light in the spotlight…how does it work and how can we as image makers manipulate it to serve our creative outcomes? Students will work in class and on assignments learning the basic shaping tools and terminologies surrounding light in the photographic sense. Through Photographic Categories you will gain applied skills in basic core digital graphics software, whilst researching the various genres of photography available to the student upon graduation.

Building on your first quarter studies and practices, you will delve more deeply into the art and science of photography and image making in the second quarter. Technical excellence is the focus of Principles of Photography and Lighting for Stills classes. Here you will be working on increasingly advanced technical assignments, both in studio and on location, during hands-on, instructional class times. These assignments will cover numerous shooting scenarios and will provide the framework for strong skill-sets in creative and technical photography. These assignments will complement courses in Digital Imaging and History of Photography…digital workflow for the working professional, image processing and image manipulation

In your third quarter, you will begin to look at placing yourself in a photographic marketplace and how to do so. During Business of Photography classes you will conduct market research and develop a business plan for your proposed employment pathway. Employability Skills will breakdown professional working practices including health and safety, basic production skills and assignment/project management. In Lighting for Stills you will be set to work on a series of assignments aimed at improving your working practice/confidence by giving you more creative scope within which to develop your sense of space, place and your photographic voice.  Emphasis will be placed on creative direction and working methodology. Advanced Digital Imaging will continue researching and recreating manipulation principles and techniques as well as develop ‘shoot-to-edit’ skills inherent to particular genres of photography.

This is where everything comes together, your final quarter. Best foot forward is the name of the next three months. You will spend a large portion of your time in this quarter preparing your final photographic portfolios (print and website). This will be done in your Portfolio Production Workshops where you will be mentored and instructed in putting together your best images in the best way possible. We will undertake two large scale productions, a tableau in Contemporary Photography Awareness and a photographic Essay and slideshow in the Professional Photography component. In Business of Photography you will build out all things necessary to get you and your images into the marketplace upon graduation…social media marketing platforms, business cards, a marketing strategy and the beginnings of a brand identity. Digital Darkroom will continue looking at professional composite shooting, editing for print submissions and development of a dynamic workflow that will support your photographic style and working habits.