Photography

Fall 2020 Student Slideshow

Why are some PHO 111: Photography 1 sections scheduled to meet one day per week, whereas others are scheduled to meet two days per week?

Before the pandemic era, some PHO 111 sections were designated as Mixed Mode / Blended format, and some sections were designated as Face-to-Face format. The Mixed Mode sections were designed to meet on campus once per week, whereas face-to-face sections met on campus twice per week.

Starting in fall 2020, all PHO 111 sections were switched to the Virtual Classroom format due to restricted campus operations; none of them were designed to meet on campus. Unfortunately, what confuses the Virtual Classroom format across sections, is that the days and times from pre-pandemic formats [Mixed Mode & Face-to-Face] were preserved.

The course content and credit hours earned is the same across all sections, but there are some differences in the delivery of content and student responsibility to obtain command for course material.

  • PHO111 sections that meet once-per-week require student self-directed study of videos on LinkedIn Learning [in Blackboard]. 
  • PHO111 sections that meet twice-per-week require student synchronous class meeting attendance via Zoom, to attend live, instructor-led presentations of the course material.

The instructor of each section provides details regarding student responsibilities to learn course material for successful outcomes. Please make sure to check your WCC eMail for important updates from the college, and from your instructor. We apologize for any confusion this has caused.


 

PhotographyIn addition to exploring photography as a means of expression and developing personal aesthetics, this program offers students a depth of technical knowledge and preparation to successfully transition into one or more sectors of the photographic industry. Career paths that are considered by students on their journey in the program include working in retail portraiture, or the commercial, editorial, or fine-art realms. Other possibilities include journalism and gathering news content which naturally extends to documentary projects. Academia and teaching is a calling for some while others find laboratory management, equipment sales and customer service, equipment manufacture and marketing, or even law enforcement and forensic science to be compelling choices.

Recent graduates of the program are currently employed as a photographic assistants and/or digital technicians at studios across the country, work in photography lab or print operation environments, operate self-employed businesses, or transferred to four-year art schools to pursue a Bachelor's degree at institutions like the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Savannah College of Art & Design in Georgia, and Columbia College in Chicago, among many others.

Students can tailor the program to meet their career interests by choosing specialized electives that include interdisciplinary options from other DMA programs, such as Animation, Graphic Design, Digital Video, or Web Design & Development. State-of-the-art photographic imaging facilities provide students with access to an incredible range of image capture devices — from 35mm SLR film and Digital SLR cameras, to medium format, to large format view cameras. The 20-workstation black-and-white darkroom still thrives with activity, the 6-bay studio features a plethora of tungsten and strobe lighting equipment, and the digital imaging labs and production facilities represent the highest standards in computer hardware and software.

The hands-on instruction and learning environment found in every photography class provides innumerable opportunities for students to garner one-on-one contact with their instructor, in addition to being participant in dynamic, interactive learning experiences that are created with their peers. Assignments are usually completed individually, but sometimes collaboratively in small groups based on course and/or assignment objectives, which creates a culture with a strong sense of community and support.