PHOT 474B: STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNIQUES II 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:	Completion of PHOT 74A or 474A and one or more of the following courses: PHOT 5 or 405, 6A or 406A, 72 or 472.
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

Students will master at least one studio technique and demonstrate its creative application within the content of the portfolio
Students will choose a theme and create a portfolio that is comprised of 8-10 images which reflect a focus on a specific area of studio photography, i.e., portraiture, still-life, product, editorial, wedding, etc.

Description

This course follows PHOT 474A and is intended to teach intermediate level skills in studio photography. Proper and creative use of photographic lighting in a studio environment. Emphasis on developing skills, techniques, and business practices necessary to build a successful career as a studio photographer in areas that include wedding, product, portrait, editorial, still-life, illustration, food, and others.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

Operate a professional camera and related accessories with technical and artistic skill.
Operate studio lighting and related accessories with technical and artistic skill.
Employ artistic and technical skills that effectively communicate the photographic job's requirements.
Demonstrate the ability to follow art direction.
Determine appropriate exposures and lighting ratios.
Recognize visual approaches and styles created by studio photographers from diverse ethnicities, cultures, backgrounds, and identities.
Develop a portfolio of images that reflect growing knowledge for a successful career in studio photography.

Course Content

Proper operation of professional cameras, lighting equipment, and accessories
1. Lens selection
2. Lighting selection
  1. Flash
  2. Continuous
3. Light modifiers and reflector types and selection
  1. Reflectors, soft boxes, snoots, flags, and other lighting modifiers
  2. Color temperature
  3. Multiple light set-ups
4. Lighting set-ups for three-dimensional subjects, including people
Safe handling and care of equipment
1. Electrical safety (fuses and amperage ratings)
2. Moving heavy equipment safely
3. Studio equipment set up and tear down
Lighting techniques
1. Types of portraiture lighting
2. Lighting diagrams for two and three light set-ups
3. Lighting ratios and exposure
Working with models
1. Direction of models and people being photographed
2. Including models from different cultures, ethnicities, backgrounds, and identities
3. Selection of appropriate props
4. Model releases
General operation of a commercial photo studio
1. Freelance photography
2. Photo assisting
3. Digitech
4. Producer
5. Working with clients successfully
  1. Establishing and meeting deadlines
  2. Invoices and estimates
  3. Image delivery
  4. Equipment rental
6. Legal considerations
  1. Contracts for studio photography
    1. Client contracts
    2. Model releases
    3. Property releases
  2. Business insurance
Approaches to a career in studio photography
1. Commercial
  1. Portraiture
  2. Product
  3. Food
  4. Still-life

Lab Content

Demonstrations of how to prepare and arrange two and three light set-ups with related accessories in the studio.
Hands-on practice using professional cameras and lighting equipment, and working with models and people in a studio setting.
Proper and safe handling of studio equipment, including set up and tear down.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. A large, open space with high ceilings and 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 electricity necessary for studio lighting equipment.
2. Studio should have and/or be located near a secure equipment storage area for easy access to lighting and camera equipment.
3. Access to a computer on a portable cart that can be wirelessly connected to the internet with software used for tethering and image toning.
4. 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:

A photographic portfolio that demonstrates the ability to control light, composition, and exposure, as well as sensitivity to the way the image(s) may be interpreted based on the arrangement and composition of the items or people photographed
Quiz or exam that reflects the student's knowledge of and the proper application of studio lighting equipment and practices
A paper written about a well-known studio photographer working in any genre

Method(s) of Instruction

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

Students attend weekly lectures for instruction and critique
Hands-on instruction with studio equipment and lighting techniques
With instructor direction and support, students and student teams will set up studio work stations to complete assignments

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Bübl, Andreas. STUDIO: Lighting Setups for Portrait Photography. 2023.

Instructor handouts, demonstrations, video tutorials, and excepts from the following digital texts (which are available free for students through the Foothill library):

Hunter, Biver, and Fuqua. Light, Science and Magic, 5th ed. 2015.

Knight, Chris. The Dramatic Portrait, 1st ed. 2017.

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

Quizzes made from course readings, lectures, and/or tutorials.
Written critiques on other students' work.
Research paper on a well-known studio photographer.

Discipline(s)

Photography

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