Academic Catalog

PHOT 474A: STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNIQUES I NONCREDIT

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2025
Units: 0
Hours: 3 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (72 total per quarter)
Advisory: PHOT 5 or 405.
Degree & Credit Status: Non-Degree-Applicable Non-Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: None
Grade Type: Non-Credit Course (Receives no Grade)
Repeatability: Unlimited Repeatability

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Student will identify various studio lighting equipment together with their specific use and purpose.
  • Student will set up and arrange studio lighting equipment in a creative and technical manner that clearly depicts the volume, texture, or shape of a 3D object.

Description

Introduction to the principles of light and the use of artificial lighting in studio settings; exploration of photographic studio techniques and practices; emphasis on developing effective skills and techniques necessary to begin a career in fine art and commercial studio photography.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Operate studio lighting equipment and related accessories with technical skill.
  2. Employ visual and technical techniques required for professional-level studio photography.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to follow basic art direction and incorporate feedback.
  4. Determine appropriate exposure through the use of light meters and other tools.
  5. Recognize the contributions made in this field by people from diverse ethnicities, cultures, backgrounds, and identities.

Course Content

  1. Basic principles and behavior of light
    1. Relationship between the size and type of light source and the quality of light
    2. Types and behavior of reflected light
    3. Family of angles
  2. Photography studio equipment, accessories, and operation
    1. Flash units, modifiers, reflectors, stands, and accessories
    2. Safe handling and care of studio equipment
      1. Electrical safety
      2. Lifting and moving heavy equipment
    3. Color temperature
    4. Lighting ratios
    5. Tethering the camera to a monitor
  3. Basic lighting set ups for two- and three-dimensional objects
    1. Documents, forms, sculpture, ceramics, paintings, and other forms of art
    2. Products
    3. People
  4. General operation of a commercial or art photo studio
    1. Freelance photography
    2. Photographer Assistant/Producer/Stylist
    3. Digitech
    4. Professional protocols and practices, and managing client expectations
      1. Establishing and meeting deadlines
      2. Invoicing, contracts, and estimates
      3. Equipment rental
      4. Project management
  5. Genres of studio photography
    1. Commercial
    2. Fine art
    3. Still-life
    4. Portraiture
    5. Editorial
    6. Product
    7. Food
  6. Trends in studio image production, including the study of work created by people from diverse ethnicities, cultures, backgrounds, and identities

Lab Content

  1. Hands-on practice of using studio equipment and accessories
  2. Working as a team in a photography studio
  3. Brainstorming approaches to studio photography assignments and projects

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. A large, open space with high ceiling, with room to accommodate lighting equipment, backdrop material, and models. Room should be equipped with many well-placed electrical outlets capable of handling large amounts of electrical usage. Studio should have secure equipment storage areas or easy access to it. Professional-level lighting and studio equipment.
2. Access to a computer on a portable cart that can be wirelessly connected to the internet with software used for tethering and image toning.
3. For all sections of this course, students will need access to a computer with internet connectivity and access to the college's learning management system.

Method(s) of Evaluation

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

Demonstration of effective and safe use of lighting equipment and accessories
Quizzes over terms, lighting principals, and studio lighting and camera techniques
Written and/or oral responses to studio photography concepts and practices as discussed in class lectures, demonstrations, and critiques
Quality of images and associated written reflections submitted for course assignment work
Final presentation of studio photography portfolio

Method(s) of Instruction

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

Students will attend instruction lectures and critique sessions, either online or in-person
Instruction on equipment and lighting techniques demonstrated in photography studio
Instructor supports student teams as they set up studio lighting work stations and complete course assignments

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Hunter, Fil, Steven Biver, and Paul Fuqua. Light, Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting, 5th ed.. 2015.

Although this text is older than the suggested "5 years or newer" standard, it remains seminal in this area of study and is available free for students through the Foothill library.

Instructor handouts, video tutorials and hands-on demonstrations.

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

Maintain a studio and lighting journal that describes necessary tools, exposures, and lighting arrangements, as well as personal notations addressing the efficacy of various studio set-ups.

Discipline(s)

Photography