Digital Photography – Prince George’s Community College

Our digital photography classes are taught by working photographers and unite vision, style, and technical proficiency to clarify students’ ideas. The College uses a real-world, hands-on approach to teaching students the technique, aesthetics, and conceptualization skills needed to create a photographic portfolio that all students can be proud of.

Digital Photography Certificate

Fall 2022 Face-to-Face

The six-course certificate program documents that you have the basic skills and knowledge required to enter the competitive digital photography market. The courses focus on building your technical skills and enhancing your creativity.

Students are eligible to receive this certificate after completing these courses:

  • Digital Photography: The Basics
  • Adobe Photoshop Elements: Part 1**
  • Adobe Photoshop Elements: Part 2**
  • Introduction to Photoshop CC**
  • Advanced Photoshop CC**
  • Light—the Essence of Photography
  • Using Lighting to Create Spectacular Portraits
  • Presentation and Display Techniques for Photographs

**Note: You only need to complete either the two Adobe Photoshop Elements classes or the two Photoshop CC classes.

CRE-383 Digital Camera Basics Workshop

Start from the very beginning! Learn digital camera operation and photographic principles and get hands-on experience with your camera. Lunch talk on basic composition principles. Bring your DSL digital camera (charged or with fresh batteries), it’s manual, and a bag lunch. Enroll early; class size is limited to 16. $100* (includes $15 lab fee)

91366    9/10-9/10 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.    Sat    CAT 105

91367    11/5-11/5 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.       Sat    CAT 105

PHO-300: Digital Photography, the Basics

Students will be shown how to use a digital camera in this class. Topics will include the fundamental elements of aperture, shutter speed, and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) speed. Students will be introduced to composition and lighting, digital pixel displays of images, and controlling the composition of depth. Please bring your DSL Digital camera to class (charged or with fresh batteries). Students will have the opportunity to evaluate their work by the instructor. $270* (includes $135 lab fee)

91381    8/30 – 9/15 6:30–9:30 p.m.   T/TH   CAT 103

91365    11/14 – 12/5 6:30–9:30 p.m.   M/W   CAT 105

PHO-326 Digital Photography: Beyond the Basics

This continuation class is designed for digital SLR camera owners who have started using the manual modes (aperture priority, shutter priority, or manual) and want to learn more to take their photog­raphy a step further. You are taught how to tune exposure and focus fine and introduced to the more advanced settings to get the most out of your camera and grow your photography skills. $270 (includes $135 lab fee)

PHO-346 Adobe Photoshop Elements 15: Part 1

In this course, the first of a three-part series, see how to create extraordinary photos and how to quickly share your memories in online albums and unique print creations. Also, see how to organize and protect all your images and video clips rapidly. Students should have primary PC and Windows skills. $240* (includes $100 lab fee)

91368    9/19-10/3 6:30–9:30 p.m.    M/W    CAT 105

PHO-347 Adobe Photoshop Elements 15: Part 2

This is the second course in the three-part series on Adobe Photoshop Elements 15, the #1 selling consumer photo-editing software. In this course, you are taught how to use the software’s advanced features, including layers and masks. $240* (includes $100 lab fee)

91369    10/17-11/2  6:30–9:30 p.m.    M/W    CAT 105

PHO-343 Introduction to Photoshop Creative Cloud

This continuing education course is designed for professional standard Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud using the format MAC. This is the first course in a two-part series designed for professional photographers or those hobbyists that want their images to have that professional look. Topics include working with image selections and layers, adjusting, retouching, resizing, and preparing finished images for web and print use. $325 (includes $95 lab fee) 

91382  9/27-10/20 6:30–9:30 p.m.    T/Th    CAT 103

PHO-344 Advanced Photoshop Creative Cloud

This is the second of a two-part Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud series using the format MAC, the industry standard for professional photographers and graphic designers. In this course, you will be shown how to use this powerful software’s more advanced features, including special effects, blending modes, layers, master selection tools, and the Save-for-Web tool. $325 (includes $95 lab fee) 

91383   11/1-11/29       6:30–9:30 p.m.    T/Th    CAT 103

PHO-329 Light—The Essence of Photography

Light establishes mood, defines character, and creates a setting. Discover how professional photographers manipulate natural and artificial light sources to enhance and strengthen an image. Prerequisite: PHO-300 Digital Photography: The Basics. $100* (includes $40 lab fee)

91378    10/8- 10/15 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.    Sat    CAT 103 

PHO-316 Using Lighting to Create Spectacular Portraits

Study the lighting techniques that are needed to create spectacular portraits. Topics include lighting ratios, props, gels, lamps, back‑drops, multi-spot use, and creating atmosphere and mood. Prerequisite: PHO-300 Digital Photography: The Basics. $100* (includes $40 lab fee)

91379    10/29- 10/29 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.    Sat    CAT 103

PHO-317 Presentation and Display Techniques for Photographs

The presentation of printed digital images is critical to their appeal. Topics include cutting and matting, color and material selection, archival preservation, gallery and museum hanging, and lighting display methods. $100* (includes $40 lab fee)

91380    11/12- 11/19 9 a.m.–12:00 p.m.    Sat    CAT 103

PHO-327 Introduction to Sports Photography 

Learn the tools and techniques for taking great sports images with your DSLR camera. Discussion includes shooting sports using semi-manual and full manual exposure modes, preset and custom white balances, the elements of exposure value, and much more. The class includes classroom instruction, location shooting of the PGCC Owls sports teams, and a follow-up critique. $180 (includes $65 lab fee) 

91370    9/8-9/15      4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.    Mon/Wed/Thur    CAT 105**

**Class will photograph PGCC Owls Men’s soccer games.  Dates are subject to change to do weather and game reschedules.

NEW COURSE

PHO 357 Smartphone Photography

In this course, you will learn to use your smartphone camera properly. Apply helpful lighting and composition techniques to create the best images and finish your pictures into works of art with various apps. After completing this class, you will likely come away with your best smartphone photos, from technical execution to creative compositions. Bring to class your fully charged iPhone or Smartphone and USB cord. Know your phone’s essential functions ahead of time, as each student’s phone will be different. $85 (includes a $35 lab fee)

91363  10/1-10/1 9:00–3:30 p.m.    Sat    CAT 105

91364  11/22-11/22 9:00–3:30 p.m.    Sat    CAT 105

Certificate

Upon completing these courses, please call 301-546-0873 or e-mail itcerts@pgcc.edu to request your certificate.

Contact Information

Barbara McCreary
Phone: 301-546-0873
Email: mccreabc@pgcc.edu