PHTO 102: Intermediate Photography

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2022
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 108
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 72
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Prerequisite: PHTO 101 or PHTO 202.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

Provides emphasis on artificial lighting control and studio photography fundamentals including: various lighting systems, tethered shooting, use of modifiers and studio backdrops. Both continuous and strobe lighting will be used to explore basic lighting principles. Students will acquire intermediate postproduction digital workflow skills and advanced printing methods using Adobe Photoshop and ink jet printer technology. Material fee. 36 lecture hours, 72 lab hours.

Course Objectives

  • Operate studio electronic flash equipment for best results
  • Control lighting contrast, especially for "on location" photography
  • Demonstrate various post production image workflows using Adobe Photoshop.
  • Explain and demonstrate photographic composition and lighting as it pertains to uses in commercial and industrial photography
  • Demonstrate the correct operation and handling of studio lighting equipment.
  • Evaluate finished prints according to impact, quality, concept, technical excellence and composition.
  • Explore basic lighting principles including: quality of light, contrast or ratio of light, direction of light, intensity of light and color of light.
  • Operate both continuous and strobe lighting systems

Major Course Content

  1. Continuous light
  2. Strobe light
  3. Hand held light meter reading: incident vs. reflective
  4. Synchronization of Shutters
  5. Exposure Control for Flash Illumination
  6. Reflectors, Diffusers, Scrims, Barndoors, Snoots, and Vignetters as Photographic tools
  7. Lighting for the Desired Photographic Effect
  8. Portrait lighting techniques: split, Rembrandt, Loop, Butterfly
  9. Composition and Arrangement of Products for Studio Photography
  10. Controls for lighting ratios
  11. Exploring Current Trends in Photography for Advertising

Lab Content

  1. Lighting systems
    1.  one light portrait using continuous  light
    2.  one light portrait using strobe light
  2. Portrait techniques
    1.  Split, Rembrandt, Loop and Butterfly portrait lighting techniques
    2. reflector or bounce card for fill
  3. 4 Light set up  
    1.  Key, Fill, Hair, Background Lights
    2. Lighting Ratios
  4. Digital image manipulation
    1. Use computer with Adobe Photoshop
    2. Use tools/workflow on computer to manipulate image
  5. Print presentation techniques
    1. Mount photos on mount board
    2. Cut mat for framing
    3. Choose frame that compliments photo
  6. Evaluate finished prints
    1. Critique finished print with class

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Secrets of Great Portrait Photography: Photographs of the Famous and Infamous (Voices That Matter), Brian Smith

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Three page research paper on one to three professional photographers.

Examples of Outside Assignments

1) Produce a one light portrait illustrating split, Rembrandt, loop and butterfly lighting using continuous light both with and without fill.
2) Produce a one light portrait illustrating split, Rembrandt, loop and butterfly lighting using strobe light both with and without fill.
3) Produce a four light portrait utilizing: key, fill, background and hair lights.
4) Using a tabletop set up and the black line bright field technique photograph a glass object.
5) Produce a fashion portrait with motion; drag your shutter while using mixed light sources (strobe and continuous lights).

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Lab, Online Education Lecture, Online Education Lab