Photography

Orchard Ridge & Royal Oak Campuses

The Department of Photography at Oakland Community College has been a leader in photographic training in southeastern Michigan, since 1968. The facilities and program offerings are shared between two campuses, the Orchard Ridge Campus located in Farmington Hills and the Royal Oak Campus in Royal Oak, Michigan. Both campuses are conveniently located just northwest of Detroit.

The experienced faculty and staff offer students a creative atmosphere in which they can earn a two year Associates of Applied Science Degree in Photographic Technology. Instructors challenge students to think, create, explore and expand their understanding of photographic principles as they work toward their goals. The twelve photography courses in the program provide a broad photographic experience which include courses in black & white, color, studio, digital imaging, history, digital video, and special projects in photography. Group and individual critiques are an important part of the program. Many students also transfer to four year institutions to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Equipment and facilities at each of the campuses are state-of-the-art and include:

• 1,125 square foot studio (Orchard Ridge); 828 square foot studio (Royal Oak) with electronic strobe and tungsten illumination equipment
• 25 black and white darkroom stations at the Orchard Ridge Campus; 23 stations at the Royal Oak Campus
• 22 color stations and a professional color processing system (Royal Oak Campus)
• 25 station digital imaging/video laboratory featuring Macintosh computers with Adobe Photoshop and FinalCut Pro software (Orchard Ridge Campus)
• 25 station digital imaging laboratory featuring Intel computers with Adobe Photoshop software (Royal Oak Campus)
• Professionally trained lab technicians insure that the processing and printing equipment and the facility are in top notch condition

For more information contact:

Nick Valenti, Faculty, Chair Fine and Performing Arts
Photography & Digital Imaging
Orchard Ridge Campus
Oakland Community College
27055 Orchard Lake Road
Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334

Orchard Ridge Campus contact info for Nick Valenti
nickvalenti@earthlink.net
Office: D-115
Phone: 248.522.3634
Lab Phone: 248.522.3598
Department Secretary 248.522.3590
Fax 248.522.3787

Photographic Technology (PHT)
Associate in Applied Science
Orchard Ridge & Royal Oak Campus

This program provides professional and technical experience in still black and white, color, digital photography, and digital video. Emphasis is on developing skills necessary for graduates to be employed as photographers, photographic assistants and lab technicians in business, industry, advertising, journalism, medical institutions, studios, and schools. Graduates may also be self-employed as professional photographers and retailers.

CATALOG PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Major Requirements

Secondary Requirements
In addition to the above required courses, students must select 9 to 12 credits from the following:

Required Supportive Courses
Students must select, 9 credits from the following:

~ General Education courses listed as Required Supportive may be used to meet requirements of the General Education component.

* When all courses marked with an asterisk are completed, the student may apply for a Certificate.

CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTIONS / PHOTOGRAPHY (PHO)

Fundamentals of Photography PHO 1220 (3 credits)
Students will operate competently a still camera and photographic enlarger. They will identify the functions and characteristics of the various parts of such equipment. They will produce finished enlargements, beginning with unexposed black and white negative film, exposing it correctly, processing the film and using the enlarger to generate finished photographs. They will also be required to properly finish prints for exhibition. Course/Lab fees.

Advanced Photography PHO 1500 (3 credits) Prerequisite: PHO 1220
Builds upon skills introduced in PHO 1220 and introduces advanced techniques in black and white still photography. Emphasis will be placed on creating photographs of the highest quality. Students will experiment with topics such as portraiture, still life, large format and documentary photography. Discussion will include copy work, photographic chemistry, papers, negative and positive film and presentation of photographs. Course/Lab fees.

History of Photography PHO 1550 (3 credits) Prerequisite: PHO 1220 or consent of instructor
This course will survey of the history of photography from the early 1800's to present day issues and trends. Emphasis will be placed on the mediums impact upon society and other visual arts. Technical developments, aesthetic concerns, and individual photographers studied.

Beginning Digital Photography PHO 1700 (4 credits)
This course provides students with an introduction to current digital imaging technology. Through the use of digital cameras, film recorders, scanners, printers and photo imaging software, students explore the world of the electronic darkroom. Prior computer experience is recommended but not required. Course/Lab fees.

Fundamentals of Digital Video PHO 1800 (4 credits)
This course introduces the student to basic principles of digital video production and provides a foundation for understanding the aesthetic and technical concerns associated with digital filmmaking using Final Cut Pro/Express software.  Through analysis and discussion, students will develop an understanding of historical and contemporary short films. Students will produce their own short digital video. Course/lab fees.

Studio Photography PHO 2050 (3 credits) Prerequisites: PHO 1500 or consent of instructor
This course concentrates on studio lighting and medium/large format shooting techniques. Lectures, demonstrations and practical experiences will include fashion, architecture, small product lighting and multiple exposure techniques. Course/Lab fees.

Color Photography PHO 2100 (3 credits) Prerequisite: PHO 1500
An introduction to the characteristics and properties of color films and deals with color exposure. The course provides experience in developing and printing of color negatives and processing color slides. Course/Lab fees.

Advanced Color Photography PHO 2110 (3 credits) Prerequisites: PHO 2100
This course builds upon the skills introduced in PHO 2100. The student will produce color photographs using several different film types, including printing from color slides. Course/Lab fees.

Special Projects in Photography PHO 2402-3 (2-3 credits) Prerequisites: PHO 1500 or consent of instructor
The student will work on an individual photographic project as arranged by student and instructor. Course/Lab fees.

Special Projects in Digital Photography PHO 2452-3 (2-3 credits) Prerequisites: PHO 1700 or PHO 2700
The student will work on an individual digital photographic project as arranged by student and instructor. Course/Lab fees.

Advanced Digital Photography PHO 2700 (4 credits) Prerequisite: PHO 1700
This course builds upon the skills introduced in PHO 1700 concentrating on the electronic image as an independent form of visual expression. Students will learn advanced techniques for image manipulation and explore the creation of their own photographic imagery using digital cameras, film recorders, scanners, printers and photo imaging software within the digital darkroom. Course/Lab fees.

Advanced Digital Video PHO 2800 (4 credits) Prerequisite: PHO 1800
Building on the skills and concepts introduced in PHO 1800 this course examines cinematic structure and strategies in digital storytelling. Students will learn advanced production and post-production techniques. Students will use Final Cut Pro/Express for digital non-linear editing. Several production assignments and one final project will be required. Students will work collaboratively as well as individually. Course/lab fees