Photography
19 courses · Chabot College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026
PHOT 1A Digital Photography I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to the processes, principles, and tools of digital photography. Course provides an overview of digital camera functions for automatic and manual exposure, image creation and capture, file management, and image editing. Students may use any appropriate digital camera including; DSLR, mirrorless, point & shoot or smartphone. Topics include the development of technical and aesthetic skills, elements of design and composition, camera technology, materials and equipment, and contemporary trends in digital photography. May not receive credit if PHOT 50 has been completed successfully.
PHOT 1B Digital Photography II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Prerequisite
- PHOT 1A, PHOT 50
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Digital Photography II is an intermediate digital photography course that is a continuation of Introduction to Digital Photography. Students will practice techniques that build on those learned in PHOT 1A for image capture and exposure, along with using DSLR and mirrorless camera systems. Batch processing and editing techniques working with multiple photographs in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom will be used to create digital compositions. Emphasis is on mastering basic photographic principles and concepts, and creative problem solving using strong visual communication techniques.
PHOT 2A Black and White Darkroom Photography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to the processes, principles, and tools of black and white darkroom photography. Course provides an overview of 35mm cameras and materials for exposure and development of black and white film. Traditional darkroom techniques will be used for the exploration and refinement of gelatin silver processes for printing and toning photographs. Topics include the development of technical and aesthetic skills, elements of design and composition, film cameras, materials and equipment, and contemporary trends in film photography. May not receive credit if PHOT 60 has been completed successfully.
PHOT 2B Advanced Black and White Darkroom Photography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Prerequisite
- PHOT 2A, PHOT 60
- Transfers to
- CSU
Advanced exploration of traditional black and white darkroom photography processes. Students will practice advanced methods for exposure, development and printing of photographs using archival fiber based techniques. 35mm and medium format film based cameras will be used for creating photographic works unique to gelatin silver based processes.
PHOT 2C Alternative Process Photography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Prerequisite
- PHOT 2A, PHOT 60
- Advisory
- PHOT 2B
- Transfers to
- CSU
The course provides students with the opportunity to explore alternative processes and non-silver based photography in a darkroom environment. Students will practice historical, handmade photographic printing processes which allow for creative expression beyond the traditional black and white photograph. Lensless cameras, cyanotype and van dyke brown printing processes will be incorporated with digital technologies and contact printing techniques.
PHOT 2D Large Format Photography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Prerequisite
- PHOT 2A, PHOT 60
- Advisory
- PHOT 2B, PHOT 2C
- Transfers to
- CSU
Advanced darkroom photography course emphasizing the use of large format processes. Students will use view cameras with full movements and advanced Zone System techniques for exposure and development of sheet film. Advanced printing methods will be used for contacts and large scale works. Along with high resolution scanning techniques for large scale negatives.
PHOT 3A Introduction to Studio Lighting
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Advisory
- PHOT 1A, PHOT 50
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduction to basic studio lighting skills using electronic flash, static, and strobe applications. Course will familiarize students with lighting techniques for portraiture, product and still-life photography, in a studio setting with specialized equipment and digital cameras. Digital production techniques and processes including basics of shooting, editing and output for digital photographs. Professional setups and standard practices, as well as alternative lighting solutions will be covered. May not receive credit if PHOT 64A has been completed successfully.
PHOT 3B Advanced Studio Lighting: Portraiture
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Prerequisite
- PHOT 3A, PHOT 64A
- Transfers to
- CSU
Advanced studio lighting course that emphasizes technical and conceptual aspects of portrait photography. Students will explore lighting and design methods specific to portraiture. Advanced strobe lighting techniques will be used in the studio and on-location to create dynamic portraits.
PHOT 3C Advanced Studio Lighting: Product & Still Life
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Prerequisite
- PHOT 3A, PHOT 64A
- Advisory
- PHOT 3B
- Transfers to
- CSU
Advanced studio lighting course that emphasizes technical and conceptual aspects of product and still-life photography. Students will explore lighting and design methods specific to still-life. Advanced strobe lighting techniques will be used in the studio and on-location to create dynamic product shots.
PHOT 4A Color Theory for Photographers
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Advisory
- PHOT 1A, PHOT 50
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course will cover the basics of color science, color theory, language of color, color primaries and color relationships, applied using digital photography techniques. Students will study the principles, theories and applications of additive and subtractive color in photography. These concepts will be framed in a way that is relevant for photographers in composition, control of mood, emotional content, and image processing. Topics will include major historical and contemporary color systems, production of projects using applied color and the elements of color and design as they apply to photography. May not receive credit if PHOT 61 has been completed successfully.
PHOT 4B Advanced Color Photography Methods
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Prerequisite
- PHOT 4A, PHOT 61
- Transfers to
- CSU
Advanced color photography course that builds on the methods and techniques presented in Color Theory for Photographers. Photographers will achieve an advanced understanding of how to use color relationship principles with digital color management, controlling color from capture to print. Emphasis will be on exploring how light and color function together. Course discussions will present artists that use color as a central theme with an awareness of color's creative potential.
PHOT 5A Photography Portfolio
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Advisory
- PHOT 1A, PHOT 50
- Transfers to
- CSU
Photography Portfolio is a capstone course for students to create a body of work that reflects their individual style. Students enrolling in the course should be experienced photographers comfortable working with advanced camera and photo editing techniques. Students may work with any photographic medium of their choice. They will print and display photos as part of a class exhibition at the end of the course. Emphasis will be on developing a cohesive portfolio of photographs that can be used to further a photographic career. May not receive credit if PHOT 62 has been completed successfully.
PHOT 5B Photography Exhibition
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Prerequisite
- PHOT 5A, PHOT 62
- Transfers to
- CSU
An advanced course for photographers to focus on creating a large body of work suitable for exhibition. Photographers will professionally prepare prints and photographs. Additionally, all work must be matted, framed, and ready to hang for gallery exhibition. Emphasis will be on the safe handling of artwork in a gallery environment and archival methods for preparation, exhibition, and storage of work. Photographers who successfully complete the course will have the opportunity to exhibit their work in the Chabot Art Gallery.
PHOT 6A Photoshop
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Advisory
- PHOT 1A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to the use of Adobe Photoshop for retouching, editing, and compositing digital images. Students take their original photography and artistically adjust contrast, exposure, color balance, to create enhanced compositions. Students also take a number of images and composite images into an artistically balanced and well-designed composition.
PHOT 6B Advanced Photoshop
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Prerequisite
- PHOT 6A, DIGM 6A, PHOT 66
- Transfers to
- CSU
Advanced course in Adobe Photoshop that expands on the use of digital image manipulation, advanced imaging effects, layer and file organization and color management for students familiar using the Creative Cloud. Industry standard practices will be covered using vector illustration techniques, photo-realistic painting, and non-destructive retouching and editing techniques for photography. Course discussions will feature digital artists that explore the use of Adobe Photoshop and the Creative Cloud in their artwork.
PHOT 20 History of Photography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
A broad chronological survey of photography from its invention to the present. Considers the medium's dual role as technology and art. Addresses a multiplicity of photographic themes and purposes. Considers the intersections of photography and technology, history, art, and everyday life.
PHOT 53A Phoneography: Smartphone Photography
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 18 Lecture, 36 Lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduction to computational photography using smartphones. Course will cover fundamentals of composition and image editing utilizing smartphone applications. Survey of photography genres and the role of social media in image making.
PHOT 53B Digital Darkroom
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 18 Lecture, 36 Lab
- Prerequisite
- PHOT 53A, PHOT 50
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduction to darkroom concepts and techniques common to both traditional and digital photography. Work with digitally created negatives to explore traditional B&W silver and alternative process techniques.
PHOT 71 Color, Light and the California Landscape
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Prerequisite
- PHOT 50, PHOT 61
- Transfers to
- CSU
Photographing the natural and urban landscapes that are iconic to California. Emphasis on using digital cameras and technology to control color and light. Overview of concepts and techniques used by historical and contemporary California landscape photographers.