Photography
8 courses · Rio Hondo College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
PHTO 110 Introduction to Digital Photography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This introductory course covers the processes, principles, and tools of digital photography. Topics include the development of technical and aesthetic skills, elements of design and composition, camera technology, materials and equipment, and contemporary trends in photography. Students are required to supply their own mirrorless or digital single-lens reflex (D.S.L.R.) cameras. The course is suitable for students pursuing an Associate of Arts in Photography as well as non-majors who have an interest in learning basic digital photography skills.
PHTO 111 Intermediate Digital Photography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Prerequisite
- PHTO 110
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is designed for students who have successfully completed Introduction to Digital Photography, and have a working knowledge of basic camera control and photographic composition. It covers the use of digital cameras, metadata, workflow organization, global and local image editing and manipulation, color theory, and basic lighting techniques using flash and strobe. Emphasis will be placed on using photography as a means of communication and personal expression. Students are required to supply their own DSLR or mirrorless cameras capable of shooting in RAW file format.
PHTO 130 Beginning Photography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Advisory
- ART 120
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is designed for students who want to study the basic technical and conceptual approaches to contemporary photography. Traditional black-and-white photography techniques are explored, with special emphasis on the basic use of the 35 mm camera and enlarger, as well as the processing of black-and-white film and printing paper. Students are required to provide their own 35 mm camera with manual controls.
PHTO 131 Intermediate Photography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Prerequisite
- PHTO 130
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is designed for students who have successfully completed Beginning Photography and want to study more advanced technical and conceptual approaches to contemporary black and white photography in a 35 mm film-based, wet lab environment. Techniques such as the use of studio lighting, light meters, toners, hand coloring, and solarization are explored, with special emphasis given to understanding the conceptual framework for the production and analysis of both personal and commercial photographic imagery. Students are required to provide their own 35 mm camera with manual controls.
PHTO 140 Introduction to Lighting
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Advisory
- PHTO 110 or PHTO 200
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
In this course, students use cameras to explore the creative use of light, and to produce works that apply to basic lighting principles with natural, continuous, or strobe light sources. Topics such as introduction to lighting vocabulary, design, exposure control, and light modifiers are covered through concept-driven assignments. Relevant examples of lighting from historic and contemporary photography as well as the cinematic arts are presented throughout. This course is intended for all students working with camera-based media whose work requires the use of light to convey meaning, define a subject, or tell a story.
PHTO 200 Art of Video for Photographers
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course provides photography students with basic technical and conceptual skills to create video content using the same DSLR or mirrorless digital cameras used for still photographic work. Introduction to basic procedures for conceptualization, video capture, sound recording, lighting, editing, and delivery techniques for video projects are covered. Students explore different project types used by photographers and artists working individually, which include narrative, non-narrative, experimental, and short-form videos that support still photography projects.
PHTO 230 Medium and Large Format Photography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Prerequisite
- PHTO 110, PHTO 130
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is for students who have completed beginning analog and digital photography courses successfully and seek to study more advanced technical and conceptual approaches to photography using medium and large format cameras. The course is designed as a hybrid course that combines analog and digital techniques into one workflow. Special emphasis is given to the understanding and analysis of photographic imagery and portfolio development.
PHTO 299 Directed Study: Photography
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 54-162 Lab
- Prerequisite
- PHTO 110, PHTO 130
- Transfers to
- CSU
Independent Study/Directed Study is intended for students who have the ability to assume responsibility for independent work and to prepare written or oral reports and/ or appropriate projects. To enroll in an independent study/directed study course, students must possess a 2.5 overall grade point average, a 3.0 grade point average in the discipline of study being requested, or receive an exception from the instructor. Independent Studies/Directed Studies may be developed from any topic arising from or related to a course of study that will result in developing depth and breadth in that subject area. Students are expected to meet on a regular basis with their faculty sponsor and submit a final report or project, and student progress shall be evaluated at regular intervals. Academic standards for Independent Studies/Directed Studies shall be the same as those for other courses. Units are awarded in accordance to Title V regulations, with one unit of credit awarded for 54 hours of Directed Studies, six (6) hours of which must be with an instructor. The instructor is responsible for monitoring student progress through the semester. Students may take Directed Study courses for a maximum of three (3) units within a discipline, and may not accumulate more than a total of nine (9) units college wide.