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Digital & Commercial Photo

 
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About Me:
Greetings and welcome to the Digital Photography page here at La Serna High School! I'm thrilled to have you in what I hope will become your favorite class. With 23 years of teaching experience at LSHS, I can confidently say I love what I do. My passion for photography began during my own high school years here in Southern California, eventually leading me to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at UCLA. Teaching quickly became my calling, and I furthered my education with a Master's degree in Art Education from Cal State LA. Alongside teaching, I've spent the last 15 years working as a professional photographer, allowing me to bring real-world practices to my students. When I'm not in the classroom or behind the lens, you'll find me hitting the gym, immersed in a good book, or keeping up with my eleven-year-old twins. I also enjoy exploring the world with my family and spending time with friends.
 

Mission and Vision:

Career Technical Education Mission

Equip students with the competencies necessary to thrive in the contemporary global economy.

 

Career Technical Education Vision

Career and Technical Education (CTE) fosters both independent and collaborative work among students, encouraging creative thinking, problem-solving, and the effective use of technology. CTE endeavors to forge partnerships with local businesses and industries, providing students with valuable hands-on experience in their chosen fields.

 

Visual and Performing Arts Mission

To cultivate a lifelong love and enthusiasm for the arts among students within an ever-changing and diverse global landscape.

 

Visual and Performing Arts Vision

We endorse the nurturing of students' creative processes and aim to foster artistically literate individuals who will champion and apply their knowledge of the arts within both local and global communities.

 

Course Description:

This course introduces students to the principles and practices of digital photography, focusing on developing essential skills for capturing visually compelling images and utilizing digital photographic technology. 

 

  • History of photography through to contemporary photography
  • Focus on essential skills of using Mirrorless Cameras for capturing visually compelling images.
  • Emphasis on mastering Manual Mode for creative control & exposure triangle.
  • Master rules of composition to create strong images and incorporate elements of art & principles of design
  • Advanced techniques including off-camera flash, white balance and HDR photography.
  • Hands-on training in Adobe Lightroom for post-processing.
  • Intermediate-level editing skills in Adobe Photoshop.
  • Master shooting in RAW and editing workflow
  • Structured around California State Standards for Visual Arts and CTE Arts, Media, and Entertainment.
  • Weekly shooting assignments, lectures, demonstrations, discussions, and critiques.
  • Practical application through projects and exercises.
  • Guides students from entry to intermediate levels in digital photography.
  • Culminates in a sophisticated digital portfolio on Flickr.
Career Readiness:
  • The average Photographer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $80,733 (as of 2024)
  • The average Arts & Entertainment industry salary for the Arts & Entertainment industry in CA is $124,827 (as of 2024)

Studying photography for a year can open up various career opportunities in the field, including:

  • Freelance Photographer: Working independently, freelancers can specialize in areas such as portrait photography, event photography, product photography, or wedding photography.
  • Photojournalist: Capturing news events, features, and stories for newspapers, magazines, and online publications.
  • Commercial Photographer: Creating images for advertising campaigns, corporate clients, and commercial projects.
  • Fashion Photographer: Shooting fashion editorials, lookbooks, and campaigns for fashion brands and magazines.
  • Fine Art Photographer: Creating artistic, conceptual, or documentary photography for exhibitions, galleries, and museums.
  • Studio Assistant: Assisting established photographers in studio settings, helping with equipment setup, lighting, and post-processing.
  • Social Media Content Creator: Producing visual content for social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, for brands or personal projects.
  • Photo Editor/Retoucher: Editing and retouching photographs for publications, agencies, or individual clients.
  • Event Photographer: Documenting weddings, parties, conferences, and other special events.
  • Photography Instructor: Teaching photography workshops, classes, or private lessons.
  • Photo Lab Technician: Working in photo labs, processing film, and printing photographs.
  • Stock Photographer: Selling images through stock photography websites or agencies.
  • Travel Photographer: Capturing images of landscapes, cultures, and destinations for travel publications, websites, and tourism boards.
  • Forensic Photographer: Documenting crime scenes, accidents, and evidence for law enforcement agencies.
  • Architectural Photographer: Shooting buildings, interiors, and architectural projects for architects, designers, and real estate agents.

 

These are just a few examples of the many career paths available to individuals with a year of study in photography. Depending on their interests, skills, and specialization, photographers can pursue diverse opportunities within the photography industry.

Southern California Community Colleges With Strong Photography Programs
 

In Orange County, notable institutions include Orange Coast College, which offers a comprehensive photography program with courses ranging from basic to advanced techniques, and Fullerton College, known for its well-rounded photography curriculum covering various genres and technical aspects. 

 

In Los Angeles County, institutions like Santa Monica College offer a robust photography program emphasizing both traditional and digital techniques, while Los Angeles City College provides a diverse range of photography courses and access to modern facilities. These colleges often have experienced faculty, well-equipped facilities, and opportunities for hands-on experience and portfolio development, making them attractive options for aspiring photographers in the region.
 
Southern California Cal State Universities With Strong Photography Programs

 

  1. California State University, Fullerton (CSUF): CSUF's Department of Visual Arts offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Art with a concentration in Photography. The program provides a comprehensive education in traditional and digital photographic techniques, as well as conceptual and aesthetic development.
  2. California State University, Long Beach (CSULB): CSULB's School of Art offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Photography. The program emphasizes both technical proficiency and conceptual exploration, preparing students for careers in fine art, commercial photography, and related fields.
  3. California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA): CSULA's Department of Art offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art with a concentration in Photography. The program focuses on developing students' technical skills, visual literacy, and critical thinking abilities within a supportive and collaborative environment.

 

These universities typically have experienced faculty, well-equipped facilities, and opportunities for internships, exhibitions, and professional development, making them strong choices for students interested in pursuing photography at the undergraduate level in Southern California.

 
Classes I Teach:
  • Digital Photography
  • Commercial Photography 
  • Advanced Photography
  • Co-Lead of the Film & Media Academy 
  • ROP CTE Teacher
 
Personal Site:
You can check out my photography and see that I am legit to teach you everything I know about photography on http://www.amberfoxphoto.com
 
Social Media: 
And you can follow our class page on IG @lshs_photo
 
Class Syllabus: