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 to have.
Digital Photography Certificate
Summer 2024 Semester
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 One**
- Adobe Photoshop Elements: Part Two**
- 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 the two Adobe Photoshop Elements classes or Photoshop CC classes.
PHO-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), its manual, and a bag lunch. Enroll early — class size is limited to 16.
$100* (includes $15 lab fee).
09056 | 7/13 | 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Sat | CAT, Room location TBA
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 the 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).
09500 | 5/28 - 6/11 | 6:30–9:30 p.m. | Tu/Thu | CAT, Room Location TBA
PHO-326 Digital Photography: Beyond the Basics
This continuation class is designed for digital SLR camera owners who have started using 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).
09501 | 5/29 - 6/12 | 6:30–9:30 p.m. | Mon/Wed | CAT, Room Location TBA
PHO-346 Adobe Photoshop Elements 15: Part One
In this course, the first of a three-part series, see how to create extraordinary photos and quickly share your memories in online albums and unique print creations. Also, see how to rapidly organize and protect all your images and video clips. Students should have primary PC and Windows skills.
$240* (includes $100 lab fee).
09504 | 6/17 - 7/1 | 6:30–9:30 p.m. | Mon/Wed | CAT, Room location TBA
PHO-347 Adobe Photoshop Elements 15: Part Two
This is the second course in the three-part series on Adobe Photoshop Elements 15, the number-one-selling consumer photo-editing software. This course teaches you how to use the software's advanced features, including layers and masks.
$240* (includes $100 lab fee).
09505 | 7/8 - 7/22 | 6:30–9:30 p.m. | Mon/Wed | CAT, Room location TBA
PHO-343 Introduction to Photoshop Creative Cloud
This continuing education course is designed for professional standard Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud using the MAC format. 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).
09502 | 6/18 - 7/9 | 6:30–9:30 p.m. | Tue/Thu | CAT, Room location TBA
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).
09503 | 7/11 - 7/30 | 6:30–9:30 p.m. | Tue/Thu | CAT, Room location TBA
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.
$100* (includes $40 lab fee).
Classes not offered at this time.
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.
$100* (includes $40 lab fee).
Classes not offered at this time.
PHO-317 Presentation and Display Techniques for Photographs
The presentation of printed digital images is critical to their appeal. Topics include developing a digital or printed Portfolio book, the advantage of a Photography website or Instagram. Plus, the approach to promoting your Photography business to increase your income.
$100* (includes $40 lab fee).
Classes not offered at this time.
PHO-327 Introduction to Sports Photography - Baseball and Basketball
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).
Classes not offered at this time.
Please call 301-546-0873 for details.
Baseball Photography - See below for more details
Get a media pass to photograph the Bowie Baysox games at the Prince George's Stadium. Capture your images and have a chance to critique and edit them afterwards.
Please call 301-546-0873 for details.
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. Know the essential functions of your phone ahead of time, as each phone is different. Bring your fully charged smartphone to class (Lightning connector for iPhone or USB-C cable).
$85 (includes a $35 lab fee).
Classes not offered at this time.
Certificate
Upon completing these courses, please call 301-546-0873 or email itcerts@pgcc.edu to request your certificate.
Contact Information
Phone: 301-546-0752
Email: ITCerts@pgcc.edu