PHTO 125: Photography as an Art Medium

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

Traditional uses of photographic production will be challenged through non-traditional and conceptual project production. Artists’ works that have influenced the photographic field will be explored thought the process of image description, interpretation and judgment to reflect broader issues in visual culture. Material fee. 36 lecture hours, 72 lab hours.

Course Objectives

  • Challenge traditional uses of photographic production through conceptual and non-traditional project production.
  • Describe and evaluate the emotional, symbolic and/or narrative content of photographic images.
  • Summarize socio-cultural factors that influence the production of photographic images and analyze the socio-cultural impact of these images on society.
  • Analyze the relationship between form and content in photographic images.
  • Compose photographic images demonstrating solutions to visual problems involving evaluation of aesthetics and conceptual issues.

Major Course Content

  1. Use scanner for image acquisition 
    1. Scan prints
    2. Scan 3 dimensional objects
    3. Motion on scanner bed
  2. Image compositing
    1. Selections
    2. Feathering
    3. Scaling
  3. Ink Jet Papers
    1. Fine art papers
    2. Non-traditional papers
  4. Time and photography
    1. Extended shutter speeds
    2. Cable release cords
    3. Remote controls with timers and intervals
  5. Shooting Blind
    1. Blind Photographers Guild
    2. Douglas McCulloh
  6. Rejecting traditional photographic notions
    1. Out of focus
    2. Into the light
    3. Crooked horizon lines
  7. Describing Photographs
    1. Subject Matter
    2. Subject
    3. Form
    4. Medium
    5. Style
  8. Interpreting Photographs
    1. Interpretive strategies
    2. Interpretations and feelings
    3. Artist’s Intent
    4. Interpretation, Meaning and Personal Significance
    5. Judgement
  9. Image presentation
    1. Print editions
    2. Archival methods
    3. C. Print Verso
    4. Print Recto
  10. Art  institutions
    1. Galleries
    2. Museums
    3. Cultural centers
    4. Alternative spaces

Lab Content

  1. Scanning
    1. Documents, film, objects
    2. File type
    3. Image size
    4. Resolution
  2. Critique
    1. Group
    2. Individual
    3. Modify critique methods
  3. Digital Printing
    1. Select best inkjet paper for printer
  4. Post Production
    1. Image manipulation using Photoshop
    2. Image manipulation using Lightroom
  5. Presentation
    1. Mount, mat and frame photo for presentation

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Periodicals: Aperture, Blindspot, Shots, Lenswork

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Three page research paper or presentation on one to three professional photographers.

Examples of Outside Assignments

1) Produce images without a camera using only scanner capture
2) Use the length of time of an event to determine the exposure of an image as seen in the "Theaters" work of Hiroshi Sugimoto.
3) Based on Lars Von Trier’s film “The Five Obstructions” write your own obstructions and apply them as rules in your image production.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Lab, Online Education Lecture, Online Education Lab