Photography Techniques

Please note that this program is being discontinued.

  • Enjoy a more personalized learning environment with our small classes
  • Benefit from supportive and experienced faculty who are active in their industry
  • Gain the latest and best industry-specific knowledge and skills to be career-ready upon graduation

Program Availability and Schedule

Availability

Schedule

Given the part-time delivery of this program, there is not a standard schedule for all learners.

Program Summary

Credential

College-Approved Certificate (See overview for details)

Program Code

Area of Interest

Media and Communications

Although this program is normally delivered on campus, due to COVID-19 restrictions all courses will be delivery remotely until further notice.

Overview

Please note that this program is being discontinued. Some courses will continue to be offered as the program is phased-out over the upcoming year. Students are still welcome to register for individual courses of interest as shown in the Program Plan ; BUT new students will NOT have a path to earn a full College certificate. For more information about this program and related courses, please contact cedesign@algonquincollege.com or (613) 727-4723 ext. 5473.

Although this program is normally delivered on campus, due to COVID-19 restrictions all courses will be delivery remotely until further notice.

Courses

Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with virtual learning activities. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.

Registration Note:

This program does not have a typical application process. Unless otherwise stated - you can register for courses online directly by clicking on the course title and selecting “Register Online”. Classes can take place online, or on campus in the evenings and weekends using our modern facilities. Different courses may be available each semester so don’t forget to check back regularly.

Courses

Course
Number
HoursCourse Name
PHO558745.0Basic Digital Photography

PHO5587 Basic Digital Photography

Explore the many advantages of digital photography while enhancing your photographic skill with guided practice. The 'digital darkroom' is the combination of the hardware, software and techniques used in digital photography that replace the chemical darkroom equivalent. In this course, students learn to work comfortably in that environment by using various camera functions and software as they learn to apply basic photographic principles and techniques. Students are introduced to composition, exposure, lighting and the use of flash portraiture, as well as image correction and enhancement software, so they can create and present more interesting photographs. The importance of organizing digital assets for effective storage and retrieval is also emphasized.

There are no classes currently scheduled for this course.

PHO553945.0Photoshop for Photographers

PHO5539 Photoshop for Photographers

Play with your photography using the powerful Photoshop software that allows you to alter and edit images. Students are introduced to some of the many features and tools of Photoshop for manipulating and enhancing digital photographic images. Students learn the creation and use of Layers, Alpha Channels, Dodging and Burning, contrast and brightness control, masking techniques and special effects filters. Students use selection tools to perform compositing techniques or to isolate parts of an image for special treatment. Students explore basic retouching, photo restoration tools, the shadow highlight command, creating panoramas, digital colouring and the digital raw capture format. Bring your own images to work on and get ready to experiment.

Pre-requisites: PHO5587

There are no classes currently scheduled for this course.

PHO559745.0Composition and Design

PHO5597 Composition and Design

Composition - which is at the heart of taking better photos - is all about arranging the elements of an image to convey the core idea of the photographer. Students learn about human visual perception, the basic elements and principles of design and the effects they create, both in theory and by practice. While learning about visual composition through history and the work of other photographers, students are guided to apply and experiment with a variety of design elements in a series of practical assignments.

Pre-requisites: PHO5539 and PHO5587

There are no classes currently scheduled for this course.

PHO555245.0Photoshop Beyond the Basics

PHO5552 Photoshop Beyond the Basics

Photoshop software offers a wealth of state-of-the-art image manipulation features for today's digital images. This course explores the power of Photoshop's more advanced features to create more captivating images. Through demonstrations and guided practice, students learn to apply and use special effects, colour management and correction, channel/layer/filter applications, device calibration, scripts and actions, the path/pen tool, advanced text treatment, filter use and effects in creating 3D graphics - and more. Students also follow all the steps as a digital image goes from the camera to a display device to the printer and how to set up and calibrate printers.

Pre-requisites: PHO5539 and PHO5587

There are no classes currently scheduled for this course.

PHO559545.0Multimedia Applications

PHO5595 Multimedia Applications

Today's multimedia world offers so many ways to show photographic work. Students learn to present their work effectively through a variety of modes using mainstream multimedia applications. Students incorporate photography, videography and audio files into outputs including website templates, slide shows, prints for presentation and exhibition, social media, blogs and photo books.

Pre-requisites: PHO5539 and PHO5587

There are no classes currently scheduled for this course.

PHO559845.0Lighting Techniques

PHO5598 Lighting Techniques

Explore the key element of lighting in your photography. Learn how to select and apply lighting techniques for your subject matter and the desired effects. Students cover the use of electronic flash, lighting ratios, exposure determination and use of a flash meter. Students also explore a variety of specialized lighting set-ups for portrait, still life or product lighting, as well as techniques for studio and on-location photography.

Pre-requisites: PHO5539 and PHO5552 and PHO5587

There are no classes currently scheduled for this course.

PHO559945.0Portfolio Development

PHO5599 Portfolio Development

A portfolio can be an invaluable tool to show the results of your photographic endeavours. Now you can create your own by doing a series of practical assignments that challenge you to reflect on a topic or theme (such as social documentary, fashion, advertising, portraiture, photo illustration, photomicrography and architecture). Students reference the historical inspiration of 'classic' portfolios and benefit from demonstrations, examples, critiques and field trips in order to assemble a dynamic and useful portfolio to influence and move audiences.

Pre-requisites: PHO5539 and PHO5552 and PHO5587 and PHO5597 and PHO5598

There are no classes currently scheduled for this course.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

PHO5587 Basic Digital Photography

Explore the many advantages of digital photography while enhancing your photographic skill with guided practice. The "digital darkroom" is the combination of the hardware, software and techniques used in digital photography that replace the chemical darkroom equivalent. In this course, students learn to work comfortably in that environment by using various camera functions and software as they learn to apply basic photographic principles and techniques. Students are introduced to composition, exposure, lighting and the use of flash portraiture, as well as image correction and enhancement software, so they can create and present more interesting photographs. The importance of organizing digital assets for effective storage and retrieval is also emphasized.

PHO5539 Photoshop for Photographers

Play with your photography using the powerful Photoshop software that allows you to alter and edit images. Students are introduced to some of the many features and tools of Photoshop for manipulating and enhancing digital photographic images. Students learn the creation and use of Layers, Alpha Channels, Dodging and Burning, contrast and brightness control, masking techniques and special effects filters. Students use selection tools to perform compositing techniques or to isolate parts of an image for special treatment. Students explore basic retouching, photo restoration tools, the shadow highlight command, creating panoramas, digital colouring and the digital raw capture format. Bring your own images to work on and get ready to experiment.

Pre-requisites: PHO5587

PHO5597 Composition and Design

Composition - which is at the heart of taking better photos - is all about arranging the elements of an image to convey the core idea of the photographer. Students learn about human visual perception, the basic elements and principles of design and the effects they create, both in theory and by practice. While learning about visual composition through history and the work of other photographers, students are guided to apply and experiment with a variety of design elements in a series of practical assignments.

Pre-requisites: PHO5539 and PHO5587

PHO5552 Photoshop Beyond the Basics

Photoshop software offers a wealth of state-of-the-art image manipulation features for today's digital images. This course explores the power of Photoshop's more advanced features to create more captivating images. Through demonstrations and guided practice, students learn to apply and use special effects, colour management and correction, channel/layer/filter applications, device calibration, scripts and actions, the path/pen tool, advanced text treatment, filter use and effects in creating 3D graphics - and more. Students also follow all the steps as a digital image goes from the camera to a display device to the printer and how to set up and calibrate printers.

Pre-requisites: PHO5539 and PHO5587

PHO5595 Multimedia Applications

Today's multimedia world offers so many ways to show photographic work. Students learn to present their work effectively through a variety of modes using mainstream multimedia applications. Students incorporate photography, videography and audio files into outputs including website templates, slide shows, prints for presentation and exhibition, social media, blogs and photo books.

Pre-requisites: PHO5539 and PHO5587

PHO5598 Lighting Techniques

Explore the key element of lighting in your photography. Learn how to select and apply lighting techniques for your subject matter and the desired effects. Students cover the use of electronic flash, lighting ratios, exposure determination and use of a flash meter. Students also explore a variety of specialized lighting set-ups for portrait, still life or product lighting, as well as techniques for studio and on-location photography.

Pre-requisites: PHO5539 and PHO5552 and PHO5587

PHO5599 Portfolio Development

A portfolio can be an invaluable tool to show the results of your photographic endeavours. Now you can create your own by doing a series of practical assignments that challenge you to reflect on a topic or theme (such as social documentary, fashion, advertising, portraiture, photo illustration, photomicrography and architecture). Students reference the historical inspiration of "classic" portfolios and benefit from demonstrations, examples, critiques and field trips in order to assemble a dynamic and useful portfolio to influence and move audiences.

Pre-requisites: PHO5539 and PHO5552 and PHO5587 and PHO5597 and PHO5598

Careers & Pathways

Careers

Graduates may demonstrate their photography skills through a comprehensive portfolio. Graduates may wish to pursue further education. They may also apply their skills to freelance photography, or working in photographic shops, studios, galleries or visual/design arts organizations.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

Tuition & Fees

Get an idea of how much each semester will cost with our Tuition and Fee Estimator.

2021/2022 Academic Year

Fees for part-time programs are charged on a course-by-course basis and are published on each individual course page. For questions related to fees, please call the Registrar's Office at 613-727-0002.

Graduation Fee

Once you have completed all the courses in the program, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the Registrar's Office to obtain a certificate/diploma application. A graduation fee of $22 will be charged when the application is submitted. When your certificate/diploma application has been approved, you will be invited to Spring or Fall Convocation.

Admissions Requirements

All applicants must satisfy both College Eligibility and Program Eligibility requirements.

Please note that this program is being discontinued. Some courses will continue to be offered as the program is phased-out over the upcoming year. Students are still welcome to register for individual courses of interest as shown in the Program Plan ; BUT new students will NOT have a path to earn a full College certificate. For more information about this program and related courses, please contact cedesign@algonquincollege.com or (613) 727-4723 ext. 5473.

Application Information

Registration Note:

This program does not have a typical application process. Unless otherwise stated - you can register for courses online directly by clicking on the course title and selecting “Register Online”. Classes can take place online, or on campus in the evenings and weekends using our modern facilities. Different courses may be available each semester so don’t forget to check back regularly.

Additional Information

Program Resources

Please note that this program is being discontinued. Some courses will continue to be offered as the program is phased-out over the upcoming year. Students are still welcome to register for individual courses of interest as shown in the Program Plan ; BUT new students will NOT have a path to earn a full College certificate. For more information about this program and related courses, please contact cedesign@algonquincollege.com or (613) 727-4723 ext. 5473.

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