Photography Studio

1.  Use of the Mt. SAC Photography Facilities is limited to those students currently enrolled in the Mt. SAC Photography Program. Guests are not allowed in the darkrooms. You may work in the photography department only during your scheduled class period. Those enrolled in a section of Photo 1 may work during any scheduled Photo 1 section and must wear a Photo 1 badge while in the facility.
   
   
2. You are not permitted to work with any lab/studio equipment until you have received the necessary operational and safety instructions.
   
   

3. If you are engaged in an activity where eye hazards such as flying particles, corrosive substances or corrosive chemicals exist, you must wear suitable eye protection such as approved lab goggles or face shields. Eyewash stations are located in all lab areas.

4. Students will familiarize themselves with the posted Emergency Evacuation Procedure and calmly exit the building if an alarm sounds.

5. All chemical and/or water spills should be mopped up immediately to prevent a slipping hazard. Inform instructor or lab technician immediately in the event of a spill.

6. No food or drink allowed in any area of the photo facility. Do not drink water from the fixtures in the photo labs.

7. Covered footwear is required at all times in all areas of the photo facility. Open toed shoes are not permitted in the darkrooms & photography studios.

8. In case of an injury accident, however slight, inform your instructor or lab technician immediately. Infection may result from untreated cuts and scratches.

9. If in doubt about any piece of photographic equipment, consult your instructor or lab technician. Another student might not give you the correct information…

10. Caution any violator of his/her unsafe activity. If the situation persists, notify your instructor or the lab technician.

11. Report any damaged or unsafe equipment immediately to the lab technician upon discovery.

12. Write your name on all of your supplies (photo paper, etc.). The Photography Program is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

13. Students are required to clear out of the area at the end of scheduled class times.

14. Students will be held financially responsible for damage to facilities as well as any broken, missing, lost, or stolen equipment.

1. A towel must be in your possession at all times when working in any area of the darkroom. Sharing of towels is not permitted. Use your towel to wipe down spills, tanks and reels, and after you thoroughly rinse your tray.

2. Some chemicals used in the darkroom will stain clothing. Protective aprons or shop coats are recommended.

3. The following dilution ratios should be used when preparing developing solutions:
   DEKTOL Print Developer – 1 part Dektol :2 parts water
   D76 Film Developer - 1 part D76 :1 part water (24 oz total)

4. Use caution when using the paper trimmers under safelight conditions. Be certain to pick up and dispose of your cutting scraps.

5. Before starting work in the enlarging labs, make certain all the provided accessories are present at the enlarging station. Report any missing items to the lab technician before you start working. Likewise, do not remove any accessories from any other workstations.

6. To begin enlarging – Go to your designated darkroom ( 1480 / 1485 ) , select your preferred enlarging station. They are lettered alphabetically.

7. Go to the ISSUE ROOM and “Sign In to your enlarger” using the enlarger sign in book.

8. At the end of your printing session ; Go to the ISSUE ROOM and “Sign OUT of your enlarger” using the enlarger sign in book.

9. Enlarging station areas are to REMAIN DRY AT ALL TIMES. Do not handle any of the enlarging equipment with wet hands. Keep wet trays away from the enlarging stations.

10. Before raising or lowering the enlarger head, make certain you release the break mechanism on the right side of the enlarger head.

11. Raise the condenser head to insert / remove negative carrier using the minimum amount of turns. See instructor for training.

12. Do not allow the enlarger lamp to stay on for prolonged periods of time – only for focusing/composition and actual exposure of the print. Do not use the enlarger light source as a reading light.

13. The Arkay print dryer (stainless steel cabinet on first work table) is for RC (resin coated) print paper ONLY! Do not attempt to dry fiber-based paper in this dryer. The white cabinet with screen racks is for drying fiber-based paper. Make certain all prints are thoroughly washed before using either of these dryers.

14. CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF. When finished in the print processing area, dump your tray of developer and rinse the tray. Flush the sink with water. Rinse the measuring graduates. Return all enlarger accessories to their proper storage area. Return all checked out items to the Issue Room. Check the area for personal items. (Note: it is recommended that you print your name on all personal items that you bring into the lab facility…)

15. Film Processing area. After you place your film in the drying cabinet and you are ready to clean up . . . rinse all measuring graduates, flush the sink with water, and use the provided sponge to wipe everything down; sink, faucet, tanks, and reels. Make certain that developing tanks are thoroughly wiped after use, and then dried in the tank drying cabinet. Check the area for personal items, including the film changing rooms. Return all checked out items to the Issue Room.

16. Darkroom equipment (tanks/reels, trays) should be thoroughly cleaned and dried before returning to the Issue Room. No visible, or residual wetness. No visible chemicals, or strong chemical order, implying the tanks has not been washed.

17. Report any malfunctioning or damaged equipment to the instructor or lab technician upon discover. Do not attempt to correct the situation yourself.

18. Place all personal items (backpacks, etc) on the shelf under your enlarger station. Do not place anything on the floor that could become a tripping hazard.

1. No food or drink allowed in the Finishing Area at any time.
   
   

2. Do not place personal items on the countertops. Store items such as backpacks, jackets, book bags, purses, etc. in the area below the work counters.

3. Do not cut mat boards on the rotary print trimmers. A special cutter is available for cutting boards - see lab technician.

4. The tacking irons are to be used with extreme care due to the high temperatures. The temperature setting should be set to 2.5

5. Always check the temperature of the mounting press before using. The temperature setting should never be set higher than 185 degrees for RC print paper. This temperature is high enough to cause burn injury. Always keep your hands away from the heated platen.

6. All items going into the mount press must be placed between sheets of release paper to protect the platen.

7. Use extreme care when using bladed tools (mat cutters, Xacto knives, bevel cutters, etc.) to prevent cutting injury. Do not use any type of cutting device on the surface of the light-tables.

8. Pick up and dispose of all your cuttings and paper scraps before leaving the finishing area. Check for personal items placed under the work counters.

9. Do not leave personal items unattended. Mt. SAC is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

10. You will be responsible for any missing or broken equipment you use.

1.  The Mt. SAC photography equipment and facilities are for the exclusive use of students currently enrolled in the Photography Program. Use by students not currently enrolled is strictly prohibited.
   
   

2. Studio use is by ADVANCED RESERVATION. Reservations must be made, in person, at the Photography Issue Room – no reservations will be made by phone. Instructors wishing to conduct a class meeting in the studio must reserve the needed space in advance. Photo 10 students may use the studio ONLY under direct supervision of their instructor. Students may sign up for only ONE time block per day. Special projects that require additional time in the studio (consecutive time blocks) will require instructor’s approval and availability. At the end of your assigned studio reservation, if there is available space, and there is Open studio time, you may continue working. However, if there is open space, but a student has a reservation for the space you occupy, you must move your shoot to the next available studio space…See lab technician for approval on all deviations from Photo studio procedures.

3. The studio is divided into five (5) shooting areas, numbered 1-5. Sign into your desired shooting area on the reservation sheet. 

4. One (1) photographer and one (1) assistant (and subject(s) if they're shooting a portrait session) will be allowed in a shooting area at any given time.

5. The studio is to be used for shooting class assignments and school project work ONLY. Projects for personal gain are not allowed.

6. Those using the studio are expected to arrive at the start of the scheduled studio time block. Those not checking in with the Photo Issue Room personnel within the FIRST FIFTEEN MINUTES of the reserved time block will be CANCELLED from the reservation and the studio time made available to another student for the remainder of the time block.

7. If you must cancel your reservation, do so in advance. The Issue Room phone number is (909) 274- 4431. If no answer, leave a message. Failure to cancel your reservation at least ONE HOUR before your scheduled start time will result in a “strike”.

8. A valid Mt. SAC I.D. card must be presented when using the studio and checking out equipment. No other form of identification will be accepted.

9. BE PREPARRED. Plan your shoot in advance. Have a PRINTED list of needed equipment and check out everything you will need for your shoot when you arrive at the Issue Room.

10. If you find the shooting area to be out of order, or if you discover any broken or damaged studio equipment, notify the Lab Technician immediately. You will be held financially responsible for any damage to studio equipment while it is in your possession – this includes broken/burned out lamps (bulbs) due to mishandling.

11. Allow ample time for cleanup. Your set must be struck and all studio equipment must be returned in an orderly fashion to its proper storage location by the time your reserved studio block has ended. All checked out equipment must be returned to the Issue Room by the end of your time block as well. A broom, dustpan and shopvac are available in the studio storage area if needed. The studio will be cleared and secured at the end of each scheduled time block.

12. A Mt. SAC Model Release Form is required whenever any person is photographed in the studio. This form is available from the Photo Issue Room and must be completely filled out by the photographer, signed by the subject/model and returned to the Issue Room BEFORE the shooting session begins. Whenever any portrait subject or model under the age of 18 is photographed in the studio, a parent or LEGAL GARDIAN of that person must be present during the shoot.

13. Food and/or beverages are allowed in the studio ONLY if they are being used as subject matter during a shooting session. There will be no consumption of food or beverage in the studio at any time.

14. Firearms, knives or any other type of weapon are not allowed in the studio AT ANY TIME. These items may NOT be used as subject matter when using the studio.

15. If you must use adhesive tape while working in the studio, use only masking, gaffer’s or photographer’s tape. Never use clear, transparent plastic (Scotch) tape in the studio. Never place adhesive tape of any type on ANY lighting equipment or lamp reflectors. Remove any tape or tape residue from stands and/or equipment when you clean up.

16. Acrylic sheets (Plexiglas) are available for use as a “check-out” item, to be added to your check out form. Never use solvents or any type of glass cleaner on Plexiglas or acrylic sheets. Use only cleaners intended for use on these materials (Novus Plastic Cleaners – available from the Issue Room). Use only MICRO-FIBER cleaning cloths when wiping down or cleaning these materials. Never place hot, sharp, or abrasive items, liquids (other than water) or sticky substances (including soda and beverages) on the acrylic sheets. The acrylic sheets must be cleaned and wiped down prior to returning to their storage cart and placed between protective sheets of foamcore. You will be charged for any damage to these materials.

17. Boom arms must be BALANCED at all times. Never over-extend the boom arm beyond it’s balance point. Likewise, camera tripods must be set up properly, balanced and all control knobs and handles locked down when in use.

18. Never place lighting equipment closer than 12-inches to diffusion materials, gels, or cloth covered light modifiers.

19. Studio computer laptops are for photography projects ONLY. Do not change or modify the computer/software preferences. Remember to allow ample time to download your images before the end of your scheduled studio block. Do not store your images on the studio computer laptops.

20. Do not cut, bend or otherwise destroy expendable studio items such as gels, foamcore, or seamless background paper. Do not allow anyone (models) to walk or stand on seamless paper backgrounds. You will be charged for damaged materials and soiled or damaged seamless paper.

21. The studio storage room is a RESTRICTED AREA. Students may enter this area only with supervision of the Lab Technician, or your instructor.

22. The back door of the studio (east wall) is for EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY and /or use by department staff. Do not open this door without permission from the Lab Technician or your instructor. The roll-up door is to remain locked at all times. It may only be opened by department staff.

23. AA batteries ARE NOT PROVIDED by the Photography Program. If you need these items for use with Mt. SAC equipment off campus, you will have to provide your own.

24. Camera and studio equipment returned to the Issue Room after the end of the scheduled studio block, or after the indicated due time will be subject to a “STRIKE."

25. Students are responsible for replacement costs of any damaged, lost or stolen equipment. Do not leave studio set-ups or equipment unattended at any time. The Mt. SAC Photography Program will not be responsible students’ personal equipment or supplies. Please make certain that your name or other identifying markings are on all personal items brought into the facility.

26. All Photography students are required to sign our Photography Department Consent form before being allowed to check out facilities / equipment beyond scheduled class times. Please read carefully, sign, and hand back to your instructor. All signed consent forms will be held in the issue room for review.

 

Failure to follow the above Procedures and Policies will be regarded as unprofessional standards & practices, and will result in the restriction of equipment and facility use privileges as follows:

ONE Strike :

Warning of the unprofessional practice. Your named is added to the strike list.

TWO Strikes:

Restricted Access of facilities & equipment to your scheduled class time for 10 school days.
Restricted use of equipment to on-campus use only.

THREE Strikes:

Restricted Access of facilities & equipment to your scheduled class time for 20 school days.
Restricted use of equipment to scheduled class & on campus use only.
Meeting with your instructor on professional standards & practices.

FOUR Strikes:

Restricted Access to facilities & equipment to your scheduled class time for the remainder of the semester.
In classroom & on campus use of equipment only.?
Escalation / conference with the Student life Office.
Corrective Measures and/or Sanctions Imposed by College Personnel involved.

Strikes that are acquired in the last four weeks of the current semester will carry over into the next active semester