Photography II: Digital - Fall 2025

Photography II: Digital challenges students to explore advanced digital photography techniques while learning the workflow process for making visually sophisticated fine art photographs. Students learn techniques that parallel digital camera and computer workflow such as advanced frame division, crop and frame-ratio; RAW conversion; custom white balance; Lightroom adjustments for workflow, composite, retouching, image formatting and output; on-camera flash, basic printing workflow. Students are exposed to concepts of image/artistic construction: images containing hierarchies of subject-matter, advanced visual language to establish points of contention or dynamic tension in the image, and context, symbolic, metaphoric or narrative language.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Continue using camera in full manual mode, and increase comfort with changing settings for both technical and aesthetic results
• Learn advanced in-camera controls in technical support of your images and vision
• Learn to shoot in RAW, and to utilize the power of this file format in post-processing exercises; understanding of difference between JPEG and RAW and saving files for different output
• Gain confidence in personal workflow using Adobe editing tools (Lightroom)
• Develop the ability to edit work in a series and successfully sequence images
• Completion and presentation of a cohesive series as part of the final project

COURSE OUTCOMES

• Further fluency in camera function and operation
• Advance your personal digital workflow from camera upload, to image organization, editing and export/print
• Begin to develop a personal style and/or set of photographic and conceptual interests that culminates in a personal photographic project

COURSE EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS
Below is a general outline of the types of equipment and materials students will be required to provide to complete assignments for the class; complete details and resources will be shared during the first class meeting.

The Materials Fee for the course includes a digital print allotment for in-class printing and for printing towards assignments; all additional printing fees and other materials are the responsibility of the student (see the Important Notes for Students section for facilities related details):

• Digital camera with full manual control (e.g. Digital SLR or mirrorless). Manual, battery, battery charger and all the cords and cables that go with your camera
• Journal or sketchbook dedicated just for this class, and with you in each class. This will be needed for each class to take notes and for in class writing prompts. It will also be used for reflection as you work through homework ideas on your own
• Memory card (at least one) and a card reader
• File storage: Hard drive or a flash drive
• Access to a computer or a lab space with Lightroom and/or Photoshop (see the Important Notes for Students section below for information about accessing the facilities at PCNW)
• (Optional) A tripod
• (Optional) A flash that can be used off camera

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR STUDENTS

• Weekly attendance is vital to student success in PCNW courses. We require that students attend the first meeting in order to retain their spot in the class. A waiver may be granted if permission is given by, and subsequent arrangements made with, both the PCNW Registrar and Faculty. Please see our Education Policies for details about attendance policies and academic expectations.
• PCNW adheres to a strict payment, cancellation and refund policy. Please review our Payment & Refund Policies prior to registration.
• Intermediate and advanced courses have prerequisites which students must satisfy prior to enrollment. Prerequisites may be waived based on experience or prior courses taken through other institutions. To verify that you meet the prerequisite(s) for a course, contact Jennifer Brendicke, Registrar at jbrendicke@pcnw.org. For Photography II, Students must have proficient working knowledge of basic workflow in Adobe Lightroom, such as is introduced in the prerequisite Photography I: Digital.
• Students are required to provide their own digital camera with full manual control (e.g. Digital SLR), including a range of shutter speeds and aperture settings. If you have questions about camera equipment or resources, contact us at pcnw@pcnw.org.
• The Materials Fee for the course includes a digital print allotment for in-class and outside of class printing, the details of which will be shared on the first day. Additional printing fees will apply once a student has used their allotment (see Facilities details below for details).
• Additional materials and supplies, not covered by a materials fee for a course, are the responsibility of the student. Detailed information about course expectations, required texts and materials will be provided at the start of the quarter. Costs will vary depending on student needs and preferences.
• Students should prepare to spend several hours per week completing assignments outside of class, which may require use of the PCNW facilities; view our Rental Rates for details about additional fees. Rental fees for use of PCNW Facilities are a separate cost from tuition.

Image © Anna Ream