Approved Course Outline

PGY 2800C - Digital Photography

College of Fine Arts and Humanities
Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 92
Fall 2021 (595)
Course Description
This course introduces students to the foundational elements of digital photography. Students will recognize digital camera and lens components, optical principles, camera operation, image composition, digital image manipulation and image file management. Using their own captured images, students will learn to effectively examine their subject matter through the application of compositional and design elements. Students will explore the use of editing software for organizing, cataloging and retouching digital imagery and will research various artists and photographers identifying their significance and impact on photographic history. Prospective students should have a basic knowledge of the use of computers and must have access to a digital camera with manual controls. Course may be taken up to three times for credit. 92 contact hours.
Learning Outcomes and Objectives
  1. The student will demonstrate how to operate a digital camera by:
    1. describing the fundamental functions and the associated visual objectives.
    2. assigning f-stops to their respective focal lengths and specific application.
    3. assigning lens diversity to specific image objective.
    4. identifying how f-stop settings controls depth of field.
    5. describing how focal length of lens determines depth of field.
    6. describing how camera distance to subject matter controls depth of field.
  2. The student will illustrate the various principles of photographic composition by:
    1. identifying the specific design elements and how they are used for effective composition in an image.
    2. properly cropping captured images in the context of composition effectiveness.
    3. explaining how depth of field methods are used to direct viewers’ attention in an image.
  3. The student will demonstrate the use of editing software by:
    1. downloading captured images from their digital camera into the software’s Library module.
    2. creating different types of collections in the library.
    3. retouching both individual and batch images as quick adjustments in the Library module.
    4. assigning the various methods of rating, labeling, flagging and categorizing specific images in the Library module.
  4. The student will utilize search and ownership tools by:
    1. creating Keyword Tags and List for selected images in the library.
    2. assigning specific information and verifying ownership of imagery using Meta Data in library.
    3. correcting the framing components of an image by cropping and straightening.
    4. correcting various states of an image using the history state panel.
    5. reviewing imagery using the film strip option.
  5. The student will demonstrate editing software tools by:
    1. using the sliders in the basic panel to adjust tone, exposure and color for retouching poor quality digital images.
    2. correcting and enhancing specific detailed areas of a photo in the Developing module.
    3. applying presets to create effects and make quick adjustments.
    4. utilizing the cloning, healing and detail-luminance tools in the Developing module.
  6. The student will analyze the photographic styles of individual photographers throughout history by:
    1. identifying photographers to their style and imagery.
    2. identifying photographers to movements throughout photographic history.
    3. examining photographers’ use of shutter speed to enhance images.
  7. The student will produce a body of work for a viewing audience by:
    1. developing a sequential photographic story using a visual theme.
    2. creating a dip-tyke (side by side images) illustrating conceptual and/or visual associations.
Criteria Performance Standard
Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.
History of Changes
C&I 11/23/99,DBT12/14/99, reformatted 3Year Review 2002 Effective 20082(0405). Effective Session 20001. C&I 3/14/06, BOT 4/18/06, Was 2801C; changed by F.R. eff 20111(0445) C&I 2/12/02, BOT 3/19/02 Eff 20061(0370). 3-Year Review 2010: Acceptable As Is. Effective yrtr20013. C&I 10/28/08, BOT 12/16/08. C&I Approval: 10/28/2008, BOT Approval: 12/16/2008, Effective Term: Fall 2011 (445). C&I Approval: 11/20/2015, BOT Approval: 03/15/2016, Effective Term: Fall 2016 (520). C&I Approval: 09/05/2019, BOT Approval: 09/24/2019, Effective Term: Spring 2020 (570).
C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Fall 2021 (595)
Related Programs
  1. Digital Media (DIG-AS) (660) (CC Approved)
  2. Digital Media (DIGME-BAS) (655) (Active)
  3. Digital Media (DIGME-TR) (655) (Active)
  4. Digital Media/Multimedia Foundations (DMFND-CT) (660) (CC Approved)
  5. Digital Photography (PGY-CT) (660) (CC Approved)
  6. Digital Photography (PGY-CT) (595) (Active)