Photography
8 courses · Napa Valley College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
PHOT-110 Smart Phone Photography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU
Smartphone photography can be considered the digital equivalent of Polaroid-style photography, and like the Polaroid, has its own aesthetic. This course explores the utilization of smartphone technology to create fine art photography.
PHOT-120 Foundations of Photography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
A beginning photography course which introduces students to basic aesthetic issues in image making as well as photographic technique utilizing digital cameras and image processing using Adobe Lightroom. Required for photography majors.
PHOT-150 Beginning Digital Photography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 108 hours activity; 108 hours total
- Advisory
- Completion of PHOT-120 with a minimum grade of C.
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
Explore the world of fine art and commercial digital photography. This course builds on foundational photography skills of basic camera operation and digital workflow processes while focusing on digital imaging processing and editing, the digital darkroom, and printing. Students use industry standard software, create fine art/commercial photographic imagery, survey the evolution of various photographic genres, and evaluate the aesthetic, cultural, and political development of Photography in historic and contemporary cultures.
PHOT-151 Intermediate Digital Photography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 108 hours activity; 108 hours total
- Advisory
- Completion of PHOT-150 with a minimum grade of C.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Push your photographic practice further with a deep dive into digital photography, digital imaging processes and experimentation, printing, technical and aesthetic issues, and the digital darkroom. This course emphasizes personal creative expression in relation to artistic practice. Students will critically evaluate and analyze various photographic genres, and aesthetic, cultural, and political developments in historic and contemporary cultures.
PHOT-180 History of Photography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Advisory
- Completion of ENGL-C1000 or ENGL-120B with a minimum grade of C or appropriate placement.
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
This course traces the history of photography from its beginnings to digital imaging. Emphasis will be on photography as a social force and an artistic practice. Required for photography majors. Cross-listed with ARTH-180.
PHOT-181 Contemporary Issues in Photography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
This course will focus on contemporary trends in post-World War II photography. The diversity of photographic practice, both digital and traditional methods, will be explored as well as photography's role in modern and postmodern society.
PHOT-182 Photography in a Multicultural United States
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
An examination of photography's role in shaping ideas about race, class, gender, sexuality and identity. This course emphasizes critical analysis of images from a wide range of genres including: commercial photography, portraiture, social documentary, photojournalism, ethnographic and scientific photography, and fine-art photography.
PHOT-200 Lighting for Photography 1
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture; 81 hours lab; 108 hours total
- Advisory
- Completion of PHOT-151 with a minimum grade of C.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course introduces fine art and commercial applications of ambient and studio lighting for film and digital photography. It covers basic lighting principles and techniques for lighting, tabletop setups, and larger sets. Materials fee may apply.