Chabot College
October 1998
Replaced Fall 2010
Course Outline for Photography 64A
ARTIFICIAL LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
Catalog Description:
64A - Artificial Light Photography
3 units
Photography using light sources selected and manipulated by the photographer. Use of light sources
in a controlled situation to achieve technically accurate renditions of subject matter and to make
successful visual statements. Lighting techniques for product, still life and portrait photography.
Prerequisite: Photography 50 completed with a grade of "C" or higher. Strongly recommended:
Photography 60 and 61. 2 hours lecture, 4 hours studio/laboratory.
[Typical contact hours: lecture 35, laboratory 70]
Prerequisite Skills:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. demonstrate an understanding of how light and chemicals interact with film and paper to create
photographic images;
2. demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the essential mechanisms of the camera and the functional
relationships of those mechanisms;
3. demonstrate a working knowledge of various photographic materials, including film, printing
paper, and photo chemicals;
4. develop black and white film and make contact prints and enlargements from negatives;
5. spot and dry mount black and white photographs;
6. demonstrate an appreciation for the importance of a well conceived and executed photograph;
7. articulate critical responses to photographic images.
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should demonstrate an ability to:
1. understand how various light sources affect black and white and color photographic materials;
2. explain practical and theoretical differences between various light sources;
3. use various artificial light sources to produce well crafted and visually successful photographic
images;
4. produce studio photographs of products and objects faithfully rendering them in the photographic
image in black and white and color;
5. use electronic flash in the studio and in field situations;
6. produce portraits using various lighting and posing methods.
Course Content:
1. Color temperature
a. Artificial light source
b. Use of filters
c. Daylight and tungsten films
2. Calculating exposure
a. Light meter techniques
b. Use of gray card
c. Lighting ratios
3. Electronic flash
a. Studio units
b. Portable flash units
c. Use of flash meter
d. Flash accessories
Chabot College
Course Outline for Photography 64A, Page 2
October 1998
4. Basic studio lighting for products
a. Light sources
b. Reflector cards
c. Modifying light sources
d. Composition
5. Basic portrait lighting
a. Rembrandt
b. Butterfly
c. Loop
e. Split
6. Posing
a. Classical formal posing
b. Informal
c. Candid
7. Outdoor Portraits
a. Exposure techniques
b. Fill flash
c. Use of reflectors
d. Background selection
8. Creative application of artificial lighting
a. Mood
b. Form
c. Texture
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Lecture
Laboratory demonstration
Audio/visual materials
In-class critique
Selected readings
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Written examinations
2. Critiques of photographs submitted
Textbook(s) Typical:
None
Special Student Materials:
Photographic supplies as required by instructor
DL:kh Photo 64A98
Revised: 11/16/98