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Photography
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Contact: Steve BurgoonTitle: Department ChairContact: sburgoon@mtsac.edu
Career Outlook Photography

Arts Division
Degree S1002

This program is designed to prepare the student for employment in the field of photography. A variety of career opportunities are available in photography, art, cinema, communications, industrial arts, graphics, and journalism. Student desiring a bachelor’s degree should consult with an advisor or catalog of the institution they wish to attend regarding transferability of courses.

This degree requires the completion of General Education coursework plus the following:

Required Courses

Industry StatisticsJob Titles & Salaries
Select a related job title below to view demand & salary information
    • Lighting Technicians

      Lighting Technicians

      SOC Career Code: 27-4015.00

      Set up, maintain, and dismantle light fixtures, lighting control devices, and the associated lighting electrical and rigging equipment used for photography, television, film, video, and live productions. May focus or operate light fixtures, or attach color filters or other lighting accessories.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $23.19

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $71,693.69
      Annual Job Openings
      367

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Photographers

      Photographers

      SOC Career Code: 27-4021.00

      Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $15.10

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $60,260.47
      Annual Job Openings
      2,195

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators

      Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators

      SOC Career Code: 51-9151.00

      Perform work involved in developing and processing photographic images from film or digital media. May perform precision tasks such as editing photographic negatives and prints.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $14.57

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $40,817.37
      Annual Job Openings
      140

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages

Certificate & Degree Details

Select a certificate below to expand details
  • Photography

    Arts Division
    Degree S1002

    This program is designed to prepare the student for employment in the field of photography. A variety of career opportunities are available in photography, art, cinema, communications, industrial arts, graphics, and journalism. Student desiring a bachelor’s degree should consult with an advisor or catalog of the institution they wish to attend regarding transferability of courses.

    This degree requires the completion of General Education coursework plus the following:

    Required Courses

    Course Prefix Course Name Units
    Choose one from the following:1
    PHOT 1A
    Laboratory Studies: Beginning Black and White Photography
    or PHOT 1B
    Laboratory Studies: Advanced Black and White Photography
    or PHOT 1C
    Laboratory Studies: Studio Photography
    or PHOT 1D
    Laboratory Studies: Computer Applications in Photography
    Plus the following courses:
    PHOT 9Digital Image Editing for Photographers3
    PHOT 10Basic Digital and Film Photography3
    PHOT 11AIntermediate Photography3
    PHOT 11BDigital Capture Workflow3
    PHOT 12Black and White Photo Alternative Studies3
    or PHOT 16 Fashion and Editorial Portrait Photography
    or PHOT 18 Portraiture and Wedding Photography
    PHOT 14Commercial Lighting3
    PHOT 15History of Photography3
    PHOT 17Photocommunication3
    or PHOT 30 Advertising Photography
    PHOT 20Color Photography3
    PHOT 28Photography Portfolio Development3
    PHOT 29Studio Business Practices for Commercial Artists3
    PHOT 24Advanced Digital Image Editing for Photographers3
    or PHOT 26 Video for Photographers
    Total Units37

    Recommended Electives

    Course Prefix Course Name Units
    AHIS 1Introduction to the Visual Arts and Art History3
    or ARTB 1 Introduction to the Visual Arts and Art History

    Photography Website  

  • Photography - Level I

    Arts Division
    Certificate N0631

    This multi-level certificate program is designed to prepare students for employment in the field of photography. The Photography Level I offers the core skills necessary for employment as an entry-level Photography Assistant.

    Required Courses

    Course Prefix Course Name Units
    PHOT 9Digital Image Editing for Photographers3
    PHOT 10Basic Digital and Film Photography3
    PHOT 11AIntermediate Photography3
    PHOT 11BDigital Capture Workflow3
    PHOT 14Commercial Lighting3
    PHOT 20Color Photography3
    Choose one course from the following:3
    PHOT 12
    Black and White Photo Alternative Studies
    PHOT 16
    Fashion and Editorial Portrait Photography
    PHOT 18
    Portraiture and Wedding Photography
    Total Units21

    Photography Website  

  • Photography Digital Technician

    Arts Division
    Certificate N0632

    This certificate program is designed to give students specific skills to prepare them for employment in the commercial photographic industry as a digital technician, digital assistant, digital imaging specialist, or photography assistant.

    Required Courses

    Course Prefix Course Name Units
    PHOT 9Digital Image Editing for Photographers3
    PHOT 10Basic Digital and Film Photography3
    PHOT 11AIntermediate Photography3
    PHOT 11BDigital Capture Workflow3
    PHOT 14Commercial Lighting3
    PHOT 20Color Photography3
    PHOT 24Advanced Digital Image Editing for Photographers3
    PHOT 26Video for Photographers3
    Total Units24

    Recommended Elective

    Course Prefix Course Name Units
    PHOT 29Studio Business Practices for Commercial Artists3

    Photography Website  

  • Photography Video Production

    Arts Division
    Certificate N0633

    This certificate integrates still photography and video capture, for the student that is interested in the field of photography coupled with video production. It is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment as both a photographer and videographer. The goals of this certificate are to prepare students to combine still and video to produce quality imagery by working collaboratively using digital camera still and video capture, lighting, composition, storytelling, audio, and image editing and output techniques to produce visuals that effectively communicate ideas or narratives for commercial, editorial, or fine art purposes.

    Required Courses 

    Course Prefix Course Name Units
    PHOT 9Digital Image Editing for Photographers3
    or ARTC 100 Fundamentals of Graphic Design
    PHOT 10Basic Digital and Film Photography3
    PHOT 11AIntermediate Photography3
    PHOT 14Commercial Lighting3
    PHOT 26Video for Photographers3
    R-TV 22Editing for Film and Television3
    R-TV 29Introduction to Audio Production for Film and Television3
    Choose one course from the following:3
    ANIM 172
    Motion Graphics, Compositing and Visual Effects
    ARTC 272
    Motion Graphics, Compositing and Visual Effects
    PHOT 17
    Photocommunication
    PHOT 30
    Advertising Photography
    R-TV 14
    Media Aesthetics
    Total Units24
    Recommended Electives 
    Course Prefix Course Name Units
    PHOT 28Photography Portfolio Development3
    or ARTC 290 Portfolio
    or ANIM 148 Demo Reel
    PHOT 29Studio Business Practices for Commercial Artists3
    or R-TV 15 Broadcast Law and Business Practices

    Photography Website  

Contacts

Department Contact

Contact: Steve BurgoonTitle: Department ChairContact: sburgoon@mtsac.edu

Office Contact

Location: Building 13-2457Phone: (909) 274 - 5332