Freelance Photography - Certificate of Achievement

The Certificate of Achievement in Freelance Photography provides students with strong foundational coursework, emphasizing photographic concepts and camera handling techniques needed to enter the field. Students will benefit from instructors who are working professionals in the field. Students receive hands-on experience in studio practices and current industry software to create projects for the real world. The award culminates in a professional portfolio that could be used to obtain employment. The award is primarily designed for students interested in entering the photography field and for students pursuing entry-level job opportunities related to photography. With an emphasis on process, conceptual strategy, and professional practices, students are given broad opportunities to develop a unique voice, vision, and viewpoint. Working with photography and illustration, students create images to illustrate a client’s needs. Using both print and digital formats they produce projects that demonstrate an understanding of visual communication. This diverse body of work is refined into a strategic professional portfolio aimed at accomplishing each student’s educational and employment goals. The Photography Department requires students to complete all requirements for the degree within five years. Students who successfully complete the Certificate of Achievement in Freelance Photography will be able to: • Explain how a digital camera works and choose appropriate digital equipment for photographic applications; • Explain digital image structure in terms of image size in pixels and resolution; • Apply production skills appropriate to produce graphic files for output from scanners and digital cameras; • Apply photo editing skills to optimize images using appropriate software and techniques; and • Create and display digital images produced from computer-driven printers.

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The Photography major at San Diego City College is one of six programs in the Visual and Performing Arts department. The program provides students with strong foundational coursework, emphasizing photographic concepts and camera handling techniques needed to enter the field. Students will benefit from instructors who are working professionals in the field. Students receive hands-on experience in studio practices and current industry software to create projects for the real world. The program culminates in a professional portfolio that could be used to obtain employment. The Photography program is primarily designed for students interested in entering the photography field and for students pursuing entry-level job opportunities related to photography. Additionally, students following the associate degree path will be able to gain essential studies and skills needed to transfer to a private or public four-year design program. The Certificate of Achievement is often used by students who already have Associate or Bachelor’s Degrees who want to change careers or enhance their skills. The Certificate of Achievement in Freelance Photography is ideal for students seeking to be trained in a field different from their previous work experience, and offers an affordable alternative to more costly private college and university programs in this field of study.

Courses Required for the Major: PHOT 125 Photo Business Operations 2.0 units (Fall 2) PHOT 143 Introduction to Digital Photography 3.0 units (Fall 1) PHOT 150 History of Photography 3.0 units (Fall 1) PHOT 165 Online Portfolio: Websites for Photographers 3.0 units (Fall 2) PHOT 180 Photo Editing: Lightroom 3.0 units (Fall 1) PHOT 181 Photo Editing: Photoshop 3.0 units (Spring 1) PHOT 200A Photographic Lighting Techniques 4.0 units (Spring 1) PHOT 259A Photographic Portfolio 3..0 units (Spring 2) Total Units: 24