Associate in Fine Arts in Photography

Program Overview

The Photography program at Delaware County Community College equips students with professional image-making skills through hands-on practice and exploration of various photographic formats. The Associate of Fine Arts Degree prepares students for transfer to a 4-year Bachelor of Fine Arts program, providing a foundation in photography, art history, and critical thinking. Graduates are prepared for careers in photography, photojournalism, commercial photography, and related fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Photography program at Delaware County Community College develops professional image-makers through student-centered inquiry and practice in visual communication. Studies in Photography encompass the history, critical and aesthetic theory, and varied practices of photography as a medium of visual communication and expression in a diverse cultural society. Students explore a variety of photographic formats, including 35mm, medium format, and 4x5 view cameras, and acquire experience in black-and-white, color, alternative, and digital imaging processes using state-of-the-art methods, tools, and facilities. The Associate of Fine Arts Degree will prepare students to transfer into a 4-year Bachelor of Fine Arts program. Students will be provided with all foundation-level studio courses with a primary concentration in photography. First-year requirements must be satisfied before beginning second-year course work. Any remediation in Reading, English, or Mathematics must be completed before beginning third-semester courses. The degree Associate in Fine Arts is awarded upon successful completion of the photography course sequence with a grade of "C" (2.0 GPA) or better in all ART courses. ART courses with a grade lower than "C" must be repeated. Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate proficiency with camera skills sufficient to produce consistent quality photographic imagery.
• Demonstrate advanced skills in materials and processes used in photography.
• Demonstrate a general knowledge of the history of photography from the 19th century to the present day and its function in visual culture in the context of global art.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the elements and principles of two and three-dimensional design, color theory, drawing, and art historical references.
• Practice critical thinking skills through the production and evaluation of artwork.
• Produce a portfolio demonstrating a coherent personal vision and visual literacy.

Outline:

The program culminates in an Associate of Fine Arts Degree. The program follows a structured curriculum with a specific course schedule and individual modules.

First Semester:

• ART 122: Two Dimensional Design
• ART 130: Drawing I
• ART 133: Photography I
• ENG 100: English Composition I
• Mathematics Elective

Second Semester:

• ART 123: Color Theory and Design
• ART 124: Three Dimensional Design
• ART 134: Photography II
• ART 131: Drawing II
• ART 117 or ART 118: Art of the Ancient World or Art from the Medieval and Early Modern World

Third Semester:

• ART 211: Digital Imaging
• ART 236: Digital Photography I
• ART 237: Alternative Processes
• Social Science/Humanities Elective
• Laboratory Science Elective

Fourth Semester:

• ART 239: Digital Photography II
• ART 240: Medium and Large Format Photography
• ART 241: Portfolio Presentation
• ART 116: History of Photography
• COMM 111: Public Speaking
• Mathematics Elective

Assessment:

The program uses various assessment methods to evaluate student learning outcomes. These methods include quizzes, exams, critiques, and portfolios. Students are expected to demonstrate their understanding of the course material through their performance on these assessments.

Teaching:

The program emphasizes hands-on learning and provides students with opportunities to develop their skills in a variety of photographic formats. The faculty is experienced and knowledgeable in the field of photography and is committed to providing students with a high-quality education.

Careers:

The program prepares students for a variety of careers in the field of photography. Graduates may find employment as photographers, photojournalists, commercial photographers, or fine art photographers. They may also work in related fields such as graphic design, web design, or marketing.