City College of San Francisco PHOTOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT www.ccsf.edu/photo DAVID KLEIN
With over 700 students every semester, CCSF has one of the
largest photography programs in the country. Our students body
consists of career seekers, working photography professionals,
fine artists, photography enthusiasts, and students from other
disciplines such as Visual Media Design, Architecture, Cinema,
Broadcasting, and Journalism. With over 25 different classes,
our diverse program includes a range of topics; architectural
photography to studio lighting; alternative processes to reportage.
Our faculty and staff are experienced professionals who create an
encouraging environment focused on photo-technical aptitude,
creativity, and critical thinking. We provide the means and
guidance to help you achieve your goals whether your interest is
as a fine artist, commercial photographer, or enthusiast. We offer
an Associate’s degree in Photography as well as nine Certificates
in a wide range of specialties.
PHOTOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT
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Associate in Science Degree with a Major in Photography.
The program is designed so that students may satisfy the
requirements for graduation from the College.
The program adviser of the Photography Department will
help students who wish to plan special programs of study.
Required Courses PHOT 51 Beginning Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
DSGN 101 Design Fundamentals or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PHOT 53 Design & Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
PHOT 50A/B History and Aesthetics of Photography . . . . . . . 4
PHOT 81A Intermediate Photo: B&W Film/Darkroom or . . . . . 3
PHOT 81D Intermediate Photo: Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PHOT 83 View Camera Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
PHOT 85A Beginning Lighting Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
PHOT 80 Outdoor & Ambient Light Photography . . . . . . . . . 3
PHOT 85B Advanced Studio Lighting Techniques . . . . . . . . . 4
PHOT 93 Editorial Photography or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
PHOT 102B Documentary/News Photography . . . . . . . . . 2
PHOT 81B Advanced B&W Darkroom Techniques or . . . . . . . 4
PHOT 60B Intermediate Photoshop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PHOT 90 Portraiture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
PHOT 99 Business Practices of Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PHOT 130 Portfolio Production. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Elective Courses PHOT 52 Photographers and Their Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
PHOT 57 Photography for the Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PHOT 67 Digital Negatives for Darkroom Printing. . . . . . . . . 3
PHOT 86 Mixed Media and the Photographic Image . . . . . . . 3
PHOT 101B Hand Tinting Photographs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
PHOT 101C Self Portraiture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
PHOT 101D Landscape Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
PHOT 101E Informal Portraiture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
PHOT 101F Polaroid and Emulsion Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
PHOT 101G Pinhole Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
PHOT 101H Digital Negatives for B&W Contact Printing . . . . . 1
PHOT 102A Architectural Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Choose a minimum of 2 units from the classes above
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN PHOTOGRAPHY
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Studio LightingThis certificate provides hands-on instruction in electronic
strobe equipment as well as studio lighting tools and techniques
as applied to professional studio photography. The certificate
program also includes a strong foundation in design. Students
completing this program will be qualified for employment in the
fields of commercial photography, product photography, portrait
photography, event and fashion photography, food photography,
and entry-level positions in medical and forensic photography.
Required Courses 17 UnitsPHOT 51 Beginning Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
DSGN 101 Design Fundamentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PHOT 85A Beginning Lighting Techniques . . . . . . . . . . 4
PHOT 85B Advanced Studio Lighting Techniques . . . . . . 4
PHOT 99 Business Practices of Photography . . . . . . . . 3
Recommended Additional Coursework PHOT 52, 80, 90
Photograph Studio PracticeThis certificate provides hands-on instruction in large format
cameras, electronic strobe equipment and lighting techniques
as applied to professional studio and/or portrait photography.
As with all capstone certificate programs at CCSF, a solid
foundation in design is a core element. Students completing this
certificate program are prepared for an entry-level position as a
photographer’s assistant in the fields of commercial photography,
product photography, portrait photography, fashion photography,
food photography, graduation photography and public relations.
Required Courses 16 UnitsPHOT 51 Beginning Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
DSGN 101 Design Fundamentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PHOT 85A Beginning Lighting Techniques . . . . . . . . . . 4
PHOT 83 View Camera Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
PHOT 85B Advanced Studio Lighting Techniques or . . . . 4
PHOT 90 Portraiture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Recommended Additional Coursework PHOT 52, 99, 130
CERTIFICATES OF ACCOMPLISHMENT
Alternative Photography ProcessesThis certificate program combines traditional, alternative and
experimental photographic techniques with emerging digital
technologies. Built on the basics of photography and design, it
includes hands-on instruction in the black and white darkroom
for processing negatives and prints, as well as hands-on
instruction for producing and printing negatives with computers.
Students are able to take their work back and forth between the
two arenas utilizing the unique advantages that each has to offer.
Students completing this certificate program will be qualified
to work in custom photography labs and for professional fine-
artists, in entry-level positions in museums, and the growing
industry of image conservation and restoration. Additionally, this
certificate prepares students for transfer to 4-year program.
Required Courses 15 UnitsPHOT 51 Beginning Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
DSGN 101 Design Fundamentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PHOT 67 Digital Negatives for Darkroom Printing . . . . . 3
PHOT 81A Intermediate Photo; B&W Film/Darkroom . . . . 3
PHOT 86 Mixed Media and the Photographic Image . . . . 3
Recommended Additional Coursework PHOT 50B, PHOT 83, PHOT 52, PHOT 130
CERTIFICATES OF ACCOMPLISHMENT
Digital PhotographyThis certificate provides a strong foundation in photography and
design, and includes in-depth instruction in image organization
and manipulation technologies (i.e. Adobe Lightroom™ & Adobe
Photoshop™). Students completing this certificate program
will be qualified for employment in fields that rely heavily on
post-production and retouching such as wedding photography,
product photography, fashion photography, graduation
photography, portrait photography, and fine-art photography.
Additionally students will be prepared for entry-level positions in
image conservation and restoration, emerging media and start-up
companies. This certificate is also recommended for students
seeking to upgrade skills for career advancement or transition.
Required Courses 17 UnitsPHOT 51 Beginning Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
DSGN 101 Design Fundamentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PHOT 57 Photography for the Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PHOT 60A Beginning Photoshop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
PHOT 60B Intermediate Photoshop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PHOT 99 Business Practices of Photography . . . . . . . . . 3
Recommended Additional Coursework PHOT 52, PHOT 67, PHOT 80, PHOT 85A, PHOT 130
Portrait LightingThis certificate provides hands-on instruction in both ambient and
electronic strobe equipment and lighting techniques as applied to
professional portrait photography. In addition to the craft aspects
of portrait lighting, consideration of how best to work with
subjects and a thorough foundation in design are components of
the program. Students completing this certificate program will
be qualified for employment in the fields of portrait photography,
wedding photography, family photography, public relations,
event and fashion photography, documentary photography,
photojournalism, sports photography, travel photography,
and to work as a professional photographer’s assistant.
Required Courses 17 UnitsPHOT 51 Beginning Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
DSGN 101 Design Fundamentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PHOT 80 Outdoor and Ambient Light Photography. . . . . 3
PHOT 85A Beginning Lighting Techniques. . . . . . . . . . . 4
PHOT 90 Portraiture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Recommended Additional Coursework
PHOT 52, PHOT 85B, PHOT 93, PHOT 99, PHOT 101C, PHOT 130
Reportage PhotographyThis certificate provides a foundation in reportage photography
and builds competency with ambient lighting, electronic strobe
equipment, and lighting techniques. Students completing this
certificate program will be qualified for employment in the fields
of editorial photography, photojournalism, documentary and
social documentary photography, event photography, public
relations, and travel photography.
Required Courses 17 UnitsPHOT 51 Beginning Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
DSGN 101 Design Fundamentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PHOT 80 Outdoor and Ambient Light Photography. . . . . 3
PHOT 85A Beginning Lighting Techniques. . . . . . . . . . . 4
PHOT 93 Editorial Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
PHOT 102B Documentary / News Photography . . . . . . . . . 2
Recommended Additional Coursework PHOT 52, PHOT 130, JOUR 37, JOUR 38
B&W Photography: The PrintThis certificate program, built on the basics of photography and
design, includes hands-on instruction in traditional darkroom
processes with an emphasis on high-end black and white printing
and presentation. Students will build a personal portfolio of work
and achieve proficiency in what has now become an artisanal
skill. Students completing this certificate program will be
qualified to work in custom photography labs, operate darkroom
facilities, and to work for professional fine-artists. This certificate
also prepares students for transfer to 4-year programs of study at
public and private institutions.
Required Courses 16 UnitsPHOT 51 Beginning Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
DSGN 101 Design Fundamentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PHOT 81A Intermediate Photo; B&W Film/Darkroom . . . . 3
PHOT 81B Advanced B&W Darkroom Techniques . . . . . . 4
PHOT 130 Portfolio Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Recommended Additional CourseworkPHOT 67, PHOT 82, PHOT 86
B&W Photography: The Zone SystemThis certificate program, built on the basics of photography and
design, includes in-depth and hands-on instruction in traditional
black and white darkroom techniques with an emphasis on the
proper exposure and development of negative films. Specifically,
the “Zone System” created by Ansel Adams is explored in detail.
Students completing this certificate program will be qualified to
work in custom photography labs, to operate a darkroom facility,
and to work for professional fine-artists. In addition to direct
employment preparation, this certificate also readies students for
transfer to 4-year public or private institutions.
Required Courses 15 UnitsPHOT 51 Beginning Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
DSGN 101 Design Fundamentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PHOT 81A Intermediate Photo; B&W Film/Darkroom . . . . 3
PHOT 82 Zone System Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PHOT 99 Business Practices of Photography . . . . . . . . 3
Recommended Additional CourseworkPHOT 67, PHOT 81B, PHOT 86
CERTIFICATES OF ACCOMPLISHMENT
Architectural PhotographyThis certificate provides instruction in architectural photography
and the use of large format cameras. Hands-on experience is
gained in the manipulation of ambient and artificial light
sources and the application of professional lighting techniques.
Students completing this certificate program will be qualified for
employment in the fields of architectural photography, real estate
photography, commercial photography, editorial photography,
and to work as a photographer’s assistant.
Required Courses 17 UnitsPHOT 51 Beginning Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
DSGN 101 Design Fundamentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PHOT 80 Outdoor and Ambient Light Photography . . . . 3
PHOT 83 View Camera Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
PHOT 85A Beginning Lighting Techniques . . . . . . . . . . 4
PHOT 102A Architectural Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Recommended Additional Coursework PHOT 52, PHOT 99, PHOT 130
PHOTOGRAPHY CLASSES
PHOT 50A History & Aesthetics of Photography Before 1945
This course addresses the history of photography from its
invention until 1945. Students visit museums, attend class
lectures and participate in discussions.
PHOT 50B History and Aesthetics of Photography Since 1945 This course examines various aspects of photography, including
photographers, photographs, and technical innovations, within
their historical, social and cultural contexts since 1945.
PHOT 51A Beginning Photography A basic course introducing photography, small format cameras
(both film and digital), and the technical and aesthetic aspects
of making great images.
PHOT 52 Photographers and Their Images Professional photographers present their work to students and
discuss topics in a question and answer format.
PHOT 57 Photography for the Web An exploration of techniques used to acquire, prepare, and
process photographs for online use including but not limited
to web templates and customized webpages.
PHOT 80 Outdoor and Ambient Light Photography A hands-on, how-to course in managing natural light. Emphasis
is on outdoor and existing light; designed to relate lighting to
photo-aesthetics and visual communication.
PHOTO 81A Intermediate: B&W Film/Darkroom An intermediate level course that introduces the B&W darkroom
including film processing, printing, and print finishing.
Aesthetics and the language of photography are emphasized.
PHOTO 81B Advanced B&W Darkroom Techniques An intensive exploration of the controls and materials of black
and white photographic processes that include various films,
papers and processing chemistry.
PHOTO 81D Intermediate Photo Digital An intermediate level course that builds post-production
organizational and editing skills in Adobe Lightroom and Adobe
Photoshop. Discussions on visual literacy and review of student
work are integral.
PHOT 82 Zone System Techniques
An exploration of the Photographic Zone System through
camera calibration, film development for specific lighting
conditions, and fine printing techniques. Students will produce
a fine portfolio of images using the Zone System for presentation
to clients or galleries and museums.
PHOTO 83 View Camera Techniques Students are guided through the use of the 4x5 camera with
emphasis on exposure and perspective controls as applied to
studio, architectural and fine art photography. Cameras are
available for student use.
For the official description of our degree, certificates and courses, see the current college catalog.
PHOT 85A Beginning Lighting Techniques An introduction to the various techniques used to sculpt and
control light for photography. Students will work with a variety
of lighting equipment and accessories.
PHOT 85B Advanced Studio Lighting Techniques An exploration of advanced lighting techniques, that includes
studio strobes, lighting modifiers and mixed lighting practices,
essential to advertising and product photography.
PHOTO 86 Mixed Media and the Photographic Image This course is an exploration of the photographic image through
various alternative and non-silver processes. Students will learn
a variety of traditional non-silver printing methods which can
also be combined with more contemporary mediums.
PHOT 93 Editorial Photography In this course, creating photo narratives for magazine and
online publications is emphasized. Plus hands-on experience
using portable lighting equipment for indoor and outdoor
photography is explored.
PHOT 99 Business Practices of Photograpy Business course for photographers in which students will learn
how to successfully manage their photo careers; topics include
copyrighting images, tax laws, marketing and pricing.
PHOTO 101 Design Fundamentals Fundamental design course, covering the theories, processes,
vocabulary, and techniques common to visual design disciplines.
Students will develop and apply their knowledge through
analysis, critique and individual and collaborative exercises
and projects.
PHOT 102A Architectural Photography Commercial and fine art applications specifically related to
issues of architectural photography such as perspective control,
lighting, various camera formats, and camera accessories.
PHOT 102B Documentary/News Photography An essential course for those desiring a career in news or
documentary photography. Emphasis is placed on story-telling
imagery and photographic technique.
PHOT 130 Portfolio Production Students will produce a portfolio that prepares them for
a career in commercial photography, fine arts or transfer
to a four-year institution.
PHOT 101C Self Portraiture
PHOT 101D Landscape Photography
PHOT 101E Informal Portraiture
PHOT 101F Polaroid and Emulsion Transfer
PHOT 101G Pinhole Photography
PHOT 101H Digital Negatives for B&W Contact
PHOT 102A Architectural Photography