Photography
Since its invention in the nineteenth century, photography has made a profound impact on visual culture, the history of documentation, our understanding of the wider world, and the capacity for representation in the arts. Artists who work in photography focus primarily on the process of making two-dimensional, lens-based artworks but must also understand and employ technical considerations involved in both digital and analog methods of image production. Whether utilizing historic photochemical processes or contemporary DSLR and smart-phone cameras, the exploration of vision is fundamental to the photographic practice and aesthetic. Practitioners of photography create uniquely composed images of artistic expression by employing a wide range of skills, from storytelling to complex uses of technology and technique. Photography both documents and questions reality, and transcends the ordinary to offer a viewer an alternate perspective to consider.
Course Descriptions
In Photography I and II, students study the use of photography as a 21st-century artistic medium. The capacity for creative expression is deepened through the application of the fundamentals of photographic theory and method, materials, equipment, and technique. As students begin to gain the technical skills necessary to communicate their ideas through this visual medium, an examination of both historical and contemporary photography informs and enriches the photographic practice. These courses include instruction on camera operation and technique, relevant knowledge of chemistry, and the development of presentation skills. Design principles, history, and contemporary trends are emphasized to foster and increase the ability to understand and utilize the aesthetics of photography.
Course Resources
Photography Facilities at ACC Highland
The Photography Labs are equipped with both medium and large format printers and contain state-of-the-art Apple iMac computers running industry-standard photographic software, including the full version of Adobe Creative Cloud. Students have access to DSLR cameras and other necessary technical equipment. The lab utilizes a projector for in-class lectures and demonstrations, and classes are limited to 10 students to allow ample access and time to learn about and produce photographic artworks.
