Skip to Content
chevron-left chevron-right chevron-up chevron-right chevron-left arrow-back star phone quote checkbox-checked search wrench info shield play connection mobile coin-dollar spoon-knife ticket pushpin location gift fire feed bubbles home heart calendar price-tag credit-card clock envelop facebook instagram twitter youtube pinterest yelp google reddit linkedin envelope bbb pinterest homeadvisor angies

Use Technical Expertise, Creativity, and Composition Skills to Produce and Preserve Images

The Professional Photography program at Pickens Technical College is a comprehensive, two-semester program designed to prepare students for entry into the photography career field. These courses will take you from the basics of Exposure Theory, 35mm SLRs, and B&W Photography through Studio Lighting, Digital Imaging, and a Professional Portfolio. Upon successful graduation, you will be prepared to freelance, serve as a photographer’s assistant or continue on with your photography education by transferring to one of Colorado’s community colleges.

Program Flyer Steps for Enrollment Pickens Lookbook See the Classroom

What Our Students Learn

  • Lighting, portraiture, and commercial photography
  • Digital and film photography
  • Darkroom skills & lab management
  • DSLR camera operations
  • Exposure theory
  • Professional Inkjet Printing
  • Film & print scanning

Career Outlook

  • Entry level salaries start at $25,000 and up
  • Median salary is $46,000
  • 10% of workers earn $75,000 or more

Program Experience

  • Students spend 50% of their time learning concepts in a classroom, and 50% of their time with hands-on practical work
  • Students gain experience in a simulated studio environment with industry-grade equipment
  • Enrollment options are available for both high school students and post-secondary students
  • 1 year of classes

Erik Schubert

Instructor, Professional Photography
303-344-4910 ext. 27918
erschubert@aurorak12.org

Industry Certifications & Degrees:

  • MFA in Photography from Massachusetts College of Art & Design
  • BFA in Photography from Columbia College Chicago

Accredited Certificate Courses (30 credits)

All credits earned at Pickens technical college are recognized by the Colorado Community College System (CCCS), and are eligible for transfer to other colleges within the state of Colorado.

Introduces black and white photography as a fine art medium and develops skills necessary for basic camera and lab operations.

fEmphasizes the fundamental operations of a DSLR camera. The general operation of the camera, proper camera handling and maintenance, exposure control, depth of eld, lenses and the visual characteristics of lenses, and an understanding of how digital capture works are emphasized. Additional topics include: f-stops, shutter speeds, metering modes, use of the histogram, auto focus, auto bracketing, and exposure compensation.

Teaches digital imaging work now from capture to output. Including structuring and organizing large image libraries as well as parametric image editing for a variety of outputs and delivery formats.

Explores the creative uses of studio lighting from the perspective of new art photography with an emphasis on portraiture, three dimensional object photography, and two dimensional collage photography.

Teaches the technical and aesthetic aspects of studio and location portrait photography. This course explores the personal style of portraiture, history of the eld and portraiture as a visual language and creative expression. This topic also includes lighting, composition, posing, and equipment selection.

Explores aesthetic development of personal style and vision as they relate to historic and contemporary practices and trends in various photographic genres. Students will create a portfolio of images that are united by their stylistic qualities and within a chosen genre, such as photojournalism, editorial, commercial and portraiture. Class will include discussions on professional practices, organizations, work ows and ethical standards based in various genres.

This course is a continuation of Digital Capture Processing I and focuses on digital image processing and printing. Topics include: visual understanding of print quality, basic RAW processing, various digital work ows, further development of vocabulary of digital darkroom terminology, creating and utilizing actions in Photoshop, and further advancement of Photoshop technique.

Creates a foundation for freelance work, business practices, procedures, and models unique to a career in photography. Course topics include determining price structures, examining varying forms of photography based on students’ career plans, equipment and studio needs, business forms, business planning, tax structure, licenses and registration, and self-promotion. The course may include visits by professionals in the feld and discussion of career opportunities.

The course is the terminal/capstone course for the Professional Photography program. Completion of all classes or concurrent enrollment in the remaining classes of the program is a requirement. In this class, students will create a computer-based portfolio and a printed presentation portfolio. Different techniques necessary for the production of the portfolios and styles of portfolios are covered. Resumes, cover letters, promotional pieces, presentation techniques, and skills related to the pursuit of careers and furthering education are covered in this class.

Offers an introduction to the principles and techniques of videotape production, including camera operation, basic script writing, lighting, sound and basic digital editing. Detailed examination of the pre-production, production, and post-production processes, as well as aesthetics, will be included.

Introduces digital non-linear video editing. Students will capture, compress, edit, and manipulate video images using a personal computer. Assembly techniques including media management, editing tools, titles, and motion control; transitions and filters, and special e ects are explored.

Request More Information

"*" indicates required fields

Ready to Get Started?