# Photography (PHTO) courses

Allan Hancock College · 2026-2027 Catalog · 24 courses

Source: https://hancockcollege.curriqunet.com/catalog/iq/28544/28867/31203

"Offered" lists sections in this catalog year's class schedules: Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027.

### PHTO 101 — History of Photography

- **Units:** 3
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Summer 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/summer-2026/phto.md); Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/phto.md); Winter 2027, 2 sections (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/winter-2027/phto.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/phto.md)
- Course Offered: Spring, Fall
- Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass

This course is a historical survey of the evolving nature of photography from the 1800’s to the present. This course examines the role and function of photography and its cultural history, including its relationship to the fine arts, sciences, social sciences, fashion, and mass media. Emphasizes the aesthetic and historical influences on photography, as well as the medium of photography’s effects upon society and culture and as a form of visual communication.

### PHTO 110 — Basic Photography

- **Units:** 3
- **C-ID:** N/A
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Summer 2026, 2 sections (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/summer-2026/phto.md); Fall 2026, 5 sections (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/phto.md); Spring 2027, 5 sections (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/phto.md)
- Course Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass

Designed to introduce the student to the fundamentals of photography as a means of personal expression or as a tool for professional growth. Introduces the student to the history of photography, photographic theory, and cultural influences. Emphasizes the adjustable camera for effective visual communication and personal expression. Included will be units on cameras, lighting, exposure, print development, aesthetics, composition, content, and critical evaluation of student work. It includes basic instruction of image editing software for manipulating imagery. Any type of lens-based, image-making device including digital SLR's, 35mm film cameras, smart phones, digital point-and-shoot cameras can be used. Manual digital camera suggested. School cameras are available for checkout. Appropriate for students without prior photographic experience.

### PHTO 120 — Materials and Processes

- **Units:** 3
- **Prerequisite:** PHTO 110, or PHTO 170
- **C-ID:** N/A
- **Transfers to:** CSU
- **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/phto.md)
- Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass

A course exploring alternative photographic materials and processes including pinhole photography, cyanotype, Van Dyke, gum printing, toning, making digital and traditional enlarged negatives and making photographic books. A course for students with a background in photography or digital photography. Students are responsible for providing cameras, paper, mat board and other miscellaneous supplies necessary to the completion of work. Process chemicals are supplied.

### PHTO 130 — Advanced Black and White Photography

- **Units:** 3
- **Prerequisite:** PHTO 110
- **C-ID:** N/A
- **Transfers to:** CSU
- **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/phto.md)
- Course Offered: Spring
- Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass

A course investigating theories and working techniques in black and white photography using analog and hybrid digital systems to produce negatives and prints. Exploration of advanced techniques for controlling the printing process. Emphasizes the utilization of those techniques in pursuit of a personal visual style. Students are required to provide their own cameras, film and paper.

### PHTO 140 — Introduction to Color Photography

- **Units:** 3
- **Prerequisite:** PHTO 110, or PHTO 170
- **C-ID:** N/a
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/phto.md)
- Course Offered: Spring
- Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass

A course designed to introduce the students to the fundamentals of color photography, including the practical application of color theory to problems involving the use of color negative film and color prints as a means of personal expression along with scanning of film for digital output. Includes an examination of contemporary trends in color imagery. Students are required to supply their own cameras, film and paper.

### PHTO 150 — Introduction to Commercial Photography

- **Units:** 2
- **Prerequisite:** PHTO 110
- **C-ID:** N/A
- **Transfers to:** CSU
- **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/phto.md)
- Course Offered: Spring, Fall
- Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass

A combined lab and lecture course that provides the student with an overview of photography as a career. Introduces professional photographic equipment and techniques in actual studio situations. Students will produce photographs of architecture, portraits, and advertising subjects as they would for a commercial client. 1 hour per week lecture, 3 hours per week lab. Adjustable 35 mm camera suggested, school cameras available.

### PHTO 151 — Portrait Photography

- **Units:** 2
- **C-ID:** N/a
- **Transfers to:** CSU
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/phto.md)
- Course Offered: Fall
- Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass

An introductory lecture/lab course examining the styles, considerations, and techniques of photographic portraiture, including studio, headshots, environmental, and fashion photography. Introduces lighting and equipment specific to photographic portraiture. Requires an adjustable camera with manual exposure mode.

### PHTO 152 — Introduction to Drone Piloting and Imaging

- **Units:** 2
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC (with credit limitation)
- **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/phto.md)
- Transfer: Transfer to CSU, limited to UC/see counselor
- Course Offered: Spring
- Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass

An introduction to using unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or drones. Provides beginning uses of remotely operated vehicles for digital imaging, photography, and other applications. Covers safety precautions, team collaboration, intelligent mission planning, high resolution image capture, and editing.This course is designed to give the student the ability to safely and competently fly a drone. Emphasis is placed on safety, equipment selection, and flying. Provides a starting point to drone data collection for multiple disciplines and careers.

### PHTO 170 — Digital Photography

- **Units:** 3
- **Corequisite:** PHTO 385, PHTO 384
- **C-ID:** N/A
- **Transfers to:** CSU
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/phto.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/phto.md)
- Course Offered: Spring, Fall
- Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass

An introductory course on the tools of digital photography including cameras, scanners, printers and Adobe Lightroom software. Topics include image capture, enhance enhancement and presentation including ink jet prints and digital slideshows. For this course Mac skills are useful, but not essential.

### PHTO 179A — Intro to View Camera

- **Units:** 2
- **Transfers to:** CSU
- **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules
- Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass

An introduction to the equipment and techniques of large format photography including producing negatives and prints. The student will work with view cameras in the studio and on location to create a variety of image styles. (S1)

### PHTO 179B — Photojournalism

- **Units:** 2
- **Advisory:** PHTO 110
- **Transfers to:** CSU
- **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules
- Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass

An introductory lecture/lab course designed to give the student a working knowledge of the equipment, techniques, markets and strategies necessary for those who desire to pursue a career in photography for publication.

### PHTO 189 — Independent Projects in Photography

- **Units:** 1-3
- **Transfers to:** CSU
- **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules
- Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass

Courses for students capable of independent work who demonstrate the need or desire for additional study beyond the regular curriculum. Enrollment allows students to pursue activities such as directed field experience, research, or development of skills and competencies under faculty advisement and supervision. Independent projects may be earned in most disciplines. Students wishing to enroll in Independent Projects should contact the appropriate instructor identified in the class schedule. If the project proposed is acceptable to that instructor, a contract will be developed. All contracts for these classes must be completed and submitted to the Records Office no later than the end of the second week of the semester. Students may enroll for any combination (unit value) of Independent Projects 189 and/or 389 for a total of four semesters in a specific discipline. Units are awarded depending upon satisfactory performance and the amount of time committed by the student to the course. Allowable units vary according to discipline, and are based on the following formula: 1 unit - 48 hours per semester 2 units - 96 hours per semester 3 units - 144 hours per semester

### PHTO 380 — Black And White Photo Lab 1

- **Units:** 0.5
- **Corequisite:** PHTO 110, or PHTO 120, or PHTO 130, or PHTO 150, or any 179, 189, or 199 as related to black and white photo process only.
- **C-ID:** N/A
- **Transfers to:** CSU
- **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules
- Limitation on Enrollment: Students may not be concurrently enrolled in PHTO 380 and PHTO 381
- Course Offered: Spring, Fall
- Grading Method: Pass/No Pass

Open entry laboratory class designed to provide students with the opportunity to refine and expand techniques learned in the corequisite class.

### PHTO 381 — Black And White Photo Lab 2

- **Units:** 1
- **Corequisite:** PHTO 110, or PHTO 120, or PHTO 130, or PHTO 150, or any 179, 189, or 199 as related to black and white photo process only.
- **C-ID:** N/A
- **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules
- Limitation on Enrollment: Students may not be concurrently enrolled in PHTO 380 and PHTO 381.
- Course Offered: Spring, Fall
- Grading Method: Pass/No Pass

Open entry laboratory class designed to provide students with the opportunity to refine and expand techniques learned in corequisite class. Students may not be concurrently enrolled in PHTO 380 and 381. Corequisites: PHTO 110 or 120 or 130 or 150 or any 179, 189 or 199 as related to black and white photo process only.

### PHTO 382 — Color Photo Lab 1

- **Units:** 0.5
- **Corequisite:** PHTO 140, or any 179, 189 or 199, as related to color photo process only.
- **C-ID:** N/A
- **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules
- Limitation on Enrollment: Students may not be concurrently enrolled in PHTO 382 and PHTO 383
- Grading Method: Pass/No Pass

Open entry laboratory class designed to provide students with the opportunity to refine and expand techniques learned in corequisite class.

### PHTO 383 — Color Photo Lab 2

- **Units:** 1
- **Corequisite:** PHTO 140, or any 179, 189 or 199 as related to color photo processes only.
- **C-ID:** N/A
- **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules
- Limitation on Enrollment: Students may not be concurrently enrolled in PHTO 382 and PHTO 383
- Course Offered: Spring, Fall
- Grading Method: Pass/No Pass

Open entry laboratory class designed to provide students with the opportunity to refine and expand techniques learned in corequisite class. Students may not be concurrently enrolled in PHTO 382 and PHTO 383. Corequisite: PHTO 140 or any 179, 189 or 199 as related to color photo processes only

### PHTO 384 — Digital Photo Lab 1

- **Units:** 0.5
- **Corequisite:** PHTO 170, or PHTO 150, or PHTO 151, or any 179, 189, or 199 as related to digital photo processes only.
- **C-ID:** N/A
- **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules
- Grading Method: Pass/No Pass

Open entry laboratory class designed to provide students with the opportunity to refine and expand techniques learned in corequisite class.

### PHTO 385 — Digital Photo Lab 2

- **Units:** 1
- **Corequisite:** PHTO 170, or PHTO 150, or PHTO 151, or any 179, 189, or 199 as related to digital photo process only.
- **C-ID:** N/A
- **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules
- Limitation on Enrollment: Students may not be concurrently enrolled in PHTO 384 and PHTO 385
- Grading Method: Pass/No Pass

Open entry laboratory class designed to provide students with the opportunity to refine and expand techniques learned in corequisite class.

### PHTO 7200 — Digital Photos & the Computer

- **Hours:** 8-12 hours
- **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules
- Grading Method: Noncredit

Unsure of how and where to store your digital photos? This course is a brief introduction to how to upload, manage, and store digital photos on a computer. Students are required to bring to class a digital camera or cellphone and accompanying USB cable for their specific model camera and/or a card reader.

### PHTO 7201B — Basic Digital Photography

- **Hours:** 24 hours
- **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules
- Grading Method: Noncredit

Gain a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of digital photography and how cameras work. Students will learn navigation through menus and settings, as well as the concepts of two-dimensional design guidelines for composition, how to photograph in various lighting situations, and adjust exposures. Students entering the course are required to have access to a digital camera or cell phone that has controls to manipulate exposure, shutter speed, ISO and focus as well as the ability to download images to a computer.

### PHTO 7202B — Digital Photo Editing & Post-Processing

- **Hours:** 24 hours
- **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules
- Grading Method: Noncredit

If you currently possess a working knowledge and basic understanding of how to use a digital camera, this course will help you refine your technical and aesthetic photography skills. Students are required to have access to a digital camera or cellphone that has controls to manipulate exposure, shutter speed, ISO and focus, as well as the ability to download images to a classroom computer.

### PHTO 7203B — Advanced Digital Photography

- **Hours:** 24 hours
- **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules
- Grading Method: Noncredit

This intermediate to advanced course will build upon the digital photography fundamentals learned in Digital Photography Levels 1 and 2. Topics covered include exposure control, photographing in manual exposure mode, controlling depth of field, and capturing blurred motion with the use of light blocking filters, and an overview of camera lenses. Compositional elements of design will be reinforced by examining the use of leading lines, balance, the rule of thirds, framing, and selective focus. The subtleties of light will be explored and photographic lighting techniques.

### PHTO 7205 — Photography for Online Sales

- **Hours:** 8 hours
- **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules
- Grading Method: Noncredit

A photography course designed to introduce students to small product photography techniques useful for posting advertisements on eBay, Craigslist, or other online sites. Topics to be covered are camera settings, using a tripod, basic lighting techniques, selecting backgrounds, subject placement, and editing and prepping images for posting online.

### PHTO 7206 — Food Photography

- **Hours:** 8 hours
- **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules
- Grading Method: Noncredit

A photography course designed to introduce students to the basic approach for photographing food. Topics include using natural light for photography of food, controlling focus, photography equipment and supplies used in food photography, and useful software. Students are required to have access to a digital camera or cellphone that has controls to manipulate exposure, shutter speed, ISO and focus, as well as the ability to download images to a classroom computer