Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
PHTGD058A
Course Title (CB02)
Photographic Photoshop I
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Course Description
In this course, students will be introduced to digital imaging and learn how to use the application Photoshop. They will also gain an overview of the Macintosh operating system and develop a basic understanding of image capture, input, storage, and output. Through the use of photographic methods and controls, they will learn how to create and manage imagery in a completely digital environment. Additionally, this course will encourage the development of critical thinking skills as students analyze diverse cultural, intellectual, philosophical, ethical, and aesthetic concerns related to the photographic medium as a part of new technologies.
Faculty Requirements
Discipline 1
[Photography]
FSA
[FHDA FSA - PHOTOGRAPHY]
Course Family
FD - Digital Photography

Course Justification

The course belongs on the Profession Photography A.A. degree and is CSU transferable. This course provides beginning digital imaging skills for photographers through the use of Photoshop software.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
3.0
Maximum Credit Units
3.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours2.04.0
Laboratory Hours3.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
24.0
Laboratory
36.0
Total
60.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
48.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

  • ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.
  • Pre-algebra or equivalent (or higher), or appropriate placement beyond pre-algebra

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aid

Demonstration

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Guest speakers

Assignments

  1. Reading from assigned chapters of textbook and instructor handouts.
  2. Weekly Photoshop exercises.
  3. Work-in-progress critiques.
  4. Printing photographic images from Photoshop. 

Methods of Evaluation

  1. One each, mid-term and final exam using a combination of multiple choice, true/false, and short answers which evaluate the student's grasp of techniques and concepts covered in the course content.
  2. Participation in lab discussions and class critiques of both artist works shown and classmate works presented.
  3. Weekly in-class exercises demonstrating practical knowledge of Photoshop techniques from class lecture and reading.
  4. Final imagery evaluated by a written description, and an oral and visual presentation all reflecting a combination of material covered in class including creativity and personal expression.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Digital camera
  • Transportable media (hard drive, memory stick)
Essential College Facilities:
  • None

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Martin EveningAdobe Photoshop 2020 for Photographers: A professional image editor's guide to the creative use of Photoshop for the Macintosh and PCRoutledgeJanuary 4, 2021/1st0367346834
Conrad Chavez, Andrew FaulknerAdobe Photoshop Classroom in a Book (2022 release)PearsonDecember 27, 2021/1st0137621108

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

None.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Define and describe the terminology, basic tools, devices and techniques necessary to create or edit digital images.
  • Define the structure of digital imaging and demonstrate the proper use of image capture, input, storage and output devices.
  • Edit and assemble images using Photoshop tools and techniques.
  • Compare and contrast 19th and 20th Century technological, photographic developments with new 21st Century technologies worldwide.
  • Critique classmate's photographic images in order to refine technical skills, better understand the technology, and to interpret and value the diversity of individual expression.
  • Develop and present digital imagery using his/her own original, photographic imagery and the application Photoshop.

CSLOs

  • Apply basic digital camera handling skills to create images using Photoshop editing techniques.

Outline

  1. Define and describe the terminology, basic tools, devices and techniques necessary to create or edit digital images.
    1. Traditional photographic versus digital terminology.
      1. The camera
      2. The wet and dry darkroom
      3. Tonal range and characteristic curve
      4. Additive and subtractive color theory
      5. Enlargers, scanners, monitor display, and printers
    2. Identify computer basics and the digital workspace.
      1. Using the Macintosh
      2. The desktop, the mouse, icons and windows
      3. Photoshop preferences
      4. The Photoshop toolbox
      5. The Photoshop panels
      6. File formats and image modes
  2. Define the structure of digital imaging and demonstrate the proper use of image capture, input, storage and output devices.
    1. Structure of a digital image.
      1. Image size
      2. Resolution
      3. Bit depth
      4. Bitmap (raster) vs. vector
    2. Methods of image capture, input and storage.
      1. Film and/or digital cameras
      2. Scanners
      3. File formats
      4. Transportable/external storage media
    3. Image output.
      1. Best mode, file format, resolution, color depth, and scheme for defined project
      2. Output devices
      3. RGB, grayscale and fine art printing
  3. Edit and assemble images using Photoshop tools and techniques.
    1. Overview of Photoshop toolbox.
      1. Selection tools
      2. Painting tools
      3. Retouching
      4. Navigating
      5. Reset and modify tools
    2. Photoshop panels.
      1. Information
      2. Layers
      3. Channels
      4. Color
      5. History
    3. Image adjustments.
      1. Black & White
      2. Hue/Saturation
      3. Color Balance
  4. Compare and contrast 19th and 20th Century technological, photographic developments with new 21st Century technologies worldwide.
    1. Overview of the history of photography as a science and art.
    2. Trace technological developments of photography from 1839 to the present including the examination of cultural, social, industrial and aesthetic concerns of the photographic image in relationship to major technological advances in the medium worldwide.
  5. Critique classmate's photographic images in order to refine technical skills, better understand the technology, and to interpret and value the diversity of individual expression.
    1. Presentation of digital imagery created from digital and/or film capture (works-in-progress).
    2. Visual literacy and what constitutes a good image
      1. Description, evaluation and interpretation of class imagery.
      2. Ethical issues of the manipulated image.
    3. Examination of family histories, "place", the landscape, portraiture, still life and abstraction.
  6. Develop and present digital imagery using his/her own original, photographic imagery and the application Photoshop.
    1. Subject matter, style and camera techniques considered
    2. Identify and apply the best mode, file format, resolution, color depth, and scheme for a project/printing.
    3. Image retouching and specific Photoshop techniques used

Lab Topics

  1. Mac basics
  2. Photoshop Preferences
  3. Using Selection Tools
  4. Layer Panel
  5. Color and retouching
  6. Preparation for print
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