The purpose of this class is to introduce camera operation and image production, composition, correct exposure and proper lighting. Students will learn to create, manage and publish photographic media and creative assets for contemporary visual communication.

Course Prerequisites
There are no course prerequisites for this class.

Catalog Description
An introduction to camera operation and image production, composition, correct exposure and proper lighting. Students must have a sturdy tripod and approved digital camera that has manual controls, raw image capture, and interchangeable lenses. Also requires two portable cross-platform hard drives.

The class will explore the use of the camera for photographing in various lighting situations, demonstrate proper use of supplemental lighting, learn visual perception and composition, manipulate camera controls for specific outcomes, compose a communicative image and present work for critical discussion. Assignments will range from the technical to the artistic, employing both straightforward and creative camera and computer procedures.

Each camera assignment will be accompanied by instruction in the use of processing software. The software assignments are tailored to correspond to the requirements of each of the camera assignments. Topics covered will include importing/exporting, organizing and sorting, color and tonal corrections, and printing image files.

Topics Include:

• Camera Operation
• Exposure
• Shutter
• Aperture
• Lenses
• Lighting
• Composition
• Adobe Lightroom Classic (for Desktop)
• Introduction to post-production
• Management of digital files
• Printing

Instruction style will be in several formats including lectures/presentations, hands-on practice, group discussions and critiques. Success in this course is dependent upon student participation, self-motivation and curiosity.  Students are expected to read outside of class, ask questions, and bring up topics for class discussion.

Required Textbooks:

Digital Photography: A Basic Manual
by Henry Horenstein
ISBN 978-0-316-02074-9

The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic CC Book
by Martin Evening
ISBN-10: 0-13-450810-6

Suggested Reading:

Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs
by Henry Carroll
ISBN 9781780673356

65% Camera and Lightroom Weekly Assignments

25% Quizzes and Tests

10% Professionalism

This course encourages participation in the semester portfolio reviews.

A digital camera capable of capturing in the RAW format and interchangeable lenses.

Adobe Creative Cloud (Discounted subscription of $10/semester provided by ACC).

Once registered, subscribe here:  https://www.austincc.edu/adobe-creative-cloud-acc

An ACC Gmail account. Once registered, set up here:  http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/

Access to Blackboard https://acconline.austincc.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp  

All course related communication will be sent to your ACC email address and most homework assignments are to be completed online through Blackboard.

***Please seek technical support through the Help Desk if you encounter any difficulties.

Two 500 GB (or higher) portable hard drive(s).

The information posted on this site addresses the syllabus information required by Texas House Bill 2504. The syllabus handed out in class will contain more information than is noted here, including the class withdrawal policy, class participation requirements, scholastic dishonesty, and other important information.