Photography III: Digital - Fall 2025

Photography III: Digital provides students with a foundational survey of how Adobe Photoshop can both complement and go beyond Adobe Lightroom through an understanding of digital editing and printing workflow, all within the context of project-based learning, visual literacy, and developing their own creative expression. During the course, we will target how Photoshop is most applicable to photographers, covering navigation, workspaces, preferences, layers and masks, channels, and adjustment layers. The class will also showcase proper workflow and non-destructive editing options, and how to incorporate Lightroom. We will break down proper digital printing workflow so that students feel confident both editing and printing their own photographic work.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• An introduction and overview of digital workflow and image editing using Adobe Camera RAW, Lightroom and Photoshop CC
• Learn to navigate Photoshop CC as well as many of its "professional" tools
• Open, edit and import different file types (RAW, DNG, PSD, TIFF, JPEG)
• Develop the ability to work in a series and successfully match images in a sequence
• Learn to control color temperature, sharpening, localized corrections, and white balance

COURSE OUTCOMES

• Fluency in core Photoshop CC functions
• Familiarity with layers, masks, selections
• Understanding of the ideas behind digital workflow, from upload to editing, and printing
• Exploration of photography and editing as a creative tool for personal expression

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 © Melinda Hurst Frye