Academic Catalog

PHOT 6B: PHOTOSHOP FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS II

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2025
Units: 4
Hours: 3 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (72 total per quarter)
Advisory: PHOT 6A or equivalent experience; this course is included in the Digital Photography family of activity courses; not open to students with credit in PHOT 4B or 65B.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU/UC
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable
Formerly: PHOT 4B

Student Learning Outcomes

  • A successful student will create photo-based artwork that demonstrates proficiency in the intermediate level digital photography techniques covered in course materials.
  • A successful student will define digital photography terminology and identify intermediate level image editing software features and their proper use.

Description

Intermediate-level exploration with the tools for expressive communication in digital photography using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. Development of skills in image capture, enhancement, printing, and web publishing, for both fine art and commercial applications. Exposure to multiple perspectives on photography as practiced, and exploration of contributions by photographers from diverse cultures.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an in-depth ability to use electronic imaging software.
  2. Demonstrate an in-depth ability to use current computer hardware.
  3. Create complex hard copy photographic images for portfolio presentation and web appropriate images for electronic publishing.
  4. Discuss and describe expanding visual awareness.
  5. Demonstrate an in-depth awareness of basic photographic principles underlying the new technologies and the ability to apply these interdisciplinary principles in the sciences and fine arts.
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of ethics of the new technologies, including the principles of truthfulness in images, copyright, and appropriation.
  7. Discuss the significance that photography has had on past and current social concerns and beliefs.
  8. Recognize and appreciate the motivations, concerns, and differences between selected photographers.
  9. Understand how to approach and critique photographs made by others and formulate intelligent interpretations.

Course Content

  1. Digital imaging hardware
    1. In-depth look at input devices (scanners, digital cameras and their features)
      1. Advanced features
      2. New innovations
    2. In-depth look at output devices (printers, film recorders and their features)
      1. Advanced features
      2. New innovations
  2. Digital imaging software
    1. Advanced workspace
      1. Tool presets, panel options, the preset manager
      2. Customizable keyboard shortcuts, context sensitive menus, views, and screen modes
      3. Automating the digital workflow (advanced features of automate menu and actions)
    2. Color management overview
      1. Calibration
      2. Photoshop color settings
      3. Printing (inkjet, chromogenic, and other printing methods)
    3. Advanced layers and blending
    4. Advanced masking and selection (pen tool, extract)
    5. Advanced color correction and tonal adjustments (levels and curves)
    6. File formats and their uses
      1. RAW
      2. Non-compression formats (psd, tiff, etc.)
      3. Compression formats (jpg, gif, etc.)
    7. Working with black and white images
      1. Converting color to grayscale
      2. Quadtone printing
    8. Special effects and alternative imagery
    9. HDR imagery
  3. Organizing and archiving images
    1. Rating systems and methods
    2. Keywords and other metadata
    3. File management
  4. Using digital imagery to make artwork of meaning and intention
    1. Complex and effective communication through digital imaging
    2. Implications of image appropriation and copyright issues
    3. Developing and presenting a body of work
      1. Image creation, postproduction editing, sequencing
      2. Presentation (traditional and alternative methods, PDF presentation, web photo gallery)

Lab Content

  1. Assignments and exercises that practice digital imaging techniques.
  2. Assignments and exercises that practice the use of digital imaging vocabulary.
  3. Assignments and exercises that practice the use of printing and other output methods.
  4. Preparation of professionally presented photographs using both matting framing and digital presentation techniques.
  5. Visit and review photography exhibitions in museums and galleries.
  6. Exercises that have students make revisions or corrections and edit their photographs.
  7. Critiques and evaluation of assignments and exercises.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. A lecture room equipped with an LCD overhead projector for displaying projected computer displays; a desk or workstation for each student; an instructional computer with high-resolution monitor, scanner, color printer, and Adobe Creative Cloud software; lighting and wall space suitable for displaying and critiquing hardcopy output; an integrated or separate facility for student computer time.
2. When taught via Foothill Global Access, ongoing access to a computer with email software and hardware, including Adobe Creative Cloud software; email address.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Critiques of computer-generated images as hard copy and/or on disk
Instructor's review of student's on-going work
Review of student's participation in discussion and critiques, laboratory performance
Written paper(s) on current issues in digital imaging
Quizzes/tests
Portfolio of images suitable for display

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lectures on the techniques of digital imaging software and digital photography
Discussion and electronic discussions/chat using the language of digital imaging and photographic/artistic critiques
Demonstrations of digital imaging software and digital photography
Field trips to visit photographic, artistic, and technical locations

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Chavez, Conrad. Adobe Photoshop Classroom in a Book. 2023.

Access to Adobe Creative Cloud software.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

  1. Reading of textbook
  2. Review of handouts and relevant reading material
  3. Review of tutorial videos
  4. Research and planning of individual creative projects
  5. Written assignment statement
  6. Written portfolio statement
  7. Written critiques of student work
  8. Written report of attending a photography exhibition or event

Discipline(s)

Photography