Certificate of Achievement, Photography

This program that builds on the Fundamentals of Digital Media Arts program to prepare students for entry and mid-level employment in digital media production.  Students completing this certificate will be able to create advanced photography and digital media using still and motion images, new media and sound, installation and performance, exhibition and publication, and history of photography. An emphasis is placed on creating a balance between creative and technical skills.

Program Student Learning Outcome(s)

1. Engage creativity and original thinking in the production of a photography production.

The department expects 20 graduates to complete with this certificate each year.

The Photography Certificate of Achievement is an interdisciplinary program that builds on the Fundamentals of Digital Media Arts certificate and is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in Digital Media Production. Entertainment and visual media play a significant role in the Southern California economy with one out of every 10 California workers being employed in creative economy related industries. LBCC’s proximity within the Los Angeles / Orange County regional media and entertainment industries gives our students firsthand access to meaningful employment opportunities. An emphasis is placed on learning to collaborate across multiple disciplines and creating a balance between creative and technical skills.  

In the Southern California area, creative sectors supported 1 in 7 wage and salary jobs and contributed to an economic output of 10.4% of the region’s gross total. Over 44% of all works in creative occupations in California are located in the LA/OC regions. Creative occupations often require high levels of education or skills training, so an Advanced Certificate is an important part of making our students market-ready. Within these industries the Digital Media sector is seen as a growing area*. The Photography program prepares students for entry-level jobs within the Production sector. A large number of independents work in the communication arts sector as graphic artists or in commercial or portrait photography. Regionally, this industry is expecting a job growth of 28% over the coming years. 

Entertainment and visual media play a significant role in the Southern California economy with one out of every 10 California workers being employed in creative economy related industries.  The Photography program prepares students for entry and mid-level jobs within the Digital Media Production sector. Students completing this certificate will be able to demonstrate the production of digital media projects using creative and technical skills. Regionally, this industry is expecting a job growth of 28% over the coming years. Entry-level Digital Media Production artists can begin a career in the fields of film (TV, Web and Film), imaging (editorial, commercial, artistic, retail, comic) and video.

The Photography Certificate of Achievement fulfills the mission statement of the Long Beach Community College District by providing workforce development that meets the needs of student in our area. This program will train students in critical 21st century skills needed for employment within the southern California creative economy.  This program speaks directly to the value of excellence promoted at our college by providing innovative approaches to multidisciplinary curriculum within the Visual and Media Arts Department. 

Students completing this program will be able to enter in to a variety of available positions within the Digital Media industry. The types of jobs are not easy to categorize and many workers are independent contractors. Due to these factors, Otis Creative Report from 2014 described it as such, “the employment and economic contribution of digital media activities is much larger than indicated.” We have also discussed this at our Digital Media Arts Advisory Committee Meeting of May 11, 2015. The advisory committee has presented changes to the certificate’s title. 

Required Courses:

PHOT 32, Introduction to Digital Photography 4 units

PHOT 33, Professional Studio Lighting 4 units

PHOT 43, Photoshop and Lightroom Management 3 units

Subtotal Units 11

IN ADDITION, complete FOUR (4) courses from the following:

ART 81, Introduction to Fine Art Photography 3 units

FILM 25, Introduction to Digital Cinematography 3 units

PHOT 10, History of Photography 3 units

PHOT 34, Advanced Photography and Digital Media 4 units

PHOT 35, Photography for Publication 3 units

PHOT 37, Portrait Photography 4 units

PHOT 39, Photography on Location 3 units

PHOT 41, Professional Photographic Portfolio 4 units

PHOT 42, Experimental & New Media Photography 4 units

Subtotal Units 12-16

Total Units 23-27

There are no related programs at LBCC.

We have reviewed the full list of programs within our college service area. The following colleges have programs that are listed as Digital Media: Coastline Community College, Cypress College, Glendale Community College, Golden West College, Irvine Valley College, Santa Ana College, Santa Monica College and Santiago Canyon College.

100-200

Changed the Title, catalog description, and PSL0s