Photography, Area of Concentration in Art + Design (AA)
Award: Associate of Arts Degree
No. of credits required: 60
For more information: Contact Asstistant Professor Jeff Rollinger, 443-412-2350, jrollinger@harford.edu; Assocociate Professor Kenneth Jones, 443-412-2326, kjones@harford.edu; or Admissions, 443-412-2109.
Program Description
The Art + Design program offers students an Associate of Arts degree and preparation to transfer with junior status to a B.A. or B.F.A. Art + Design program. This program prepares students with an intensive, hands-on, studio-based curriculum that stresses the development of art-making skills and critical thinking. Classes are taught by professional, exhibiting artists who have expertise in their disciplines. This program also provides the community with the opportunity to study for personal enrichment.
The Photography concentration is designed to train students in a broad range of photographic applications, including traditional black and white and color photography, digital photography, and studio lighting, with an emphasis on technical fundamentals and the development of a personal artistic vision. This track prepares students for continued study in B.A. or B.F.A. programs at four-year institutions, or for a career in various commercial fields of photography.
Students planning to transfer to a private art college, or who need more intensive development of their portfolios for transfer to any institution, should enroll in the Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.) degree. The Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree is well-suited for those transferring to a state institution. Please consult with an advisor.
Program Goals
Upon completion of the Associate of Arts in Art + Design degree students will be able to:
- Create works with proper use of design elements.
- Create works with a demonstrated proficiency in the use of materials, tools, techniques, and processes.
- Clearly communicate and demonstrate critical thinking to articulate ideas in visual, verbal, and written forms.
- Demonstrate good habits and behaviors of self-reflection, motivation, confidence, and work ethic.
- Create work that shows the clear evolution of concept development and increasing sophistication.
- Successfully transfer to a four-year institution.
Transfer Information
HCC graduates have successfully transferred to art schools and universities, both in and out of Maryland. Students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution should check the requirements of that institution. If they are significantly different from the courses listed, students should consult with an advisor for academic guidance. Some art schools require portfolios for admission and financial aid consideration. HCC faculty are well-versed in these requirements and assist students in portfolio preparation.
Employment Information
In 2021 arts and culture added $1.016 trillion to the US GDP, according to the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA). The creative workforce in the US was 4.9 million in arts and cultural jobs, $504 billion in wages and accounted for 3.2% of all US jobs. Artists and designers are 3.6 times more likely to be self-employed and 63% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, and creativity, originality and initiative is the number five skill predicted to be in demand for 2025. For more information, visit the following websites: NASAA and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report for photographers.
Field Trip Statement
Courses in this discipline may require field trip(s).
Degree Requirements
Recommended Course Sequence
| First Semester | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ART 101 | Fundamentals of 2D Design | 3 |
| ART 120 | Digital Foundations I | 3 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition (GE) | 3 |
| PHOT 101 | Black & White Photography I | 3 |
| Behavioral/Social Science Elective (GB) | 3 | |
| Physical Education Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ART 107 | Fundamentals of 3-D Design | 3 |
| ART 111 | Studio Drawing I: Observation | 3 |
| PHOT 131 | Digital Photography I | 3 |
| Behavioral/Social Science Elective (GB) | 3 | |
| Mathematics Elective (GM) 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| PHOT 102 | Black & White Photography II | 3 |
| PHOT 209 | The History of Photography (GAH) | 3 |
| ART 201 | History of Art-Ancient and Medieval (GAH) (D) | 3 |
| Arts/Humanities Elective (GAH) | 3 | |
| Biological/Physical Science Elective (GS) 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| PHOT 202 | Alternative Photographic Processes | 3 |
| PHOT 206 | Studio Lighting | 3 |
| ART 202 | History of Art-Renaissance to Modern (GAH) (D) | 3 |
| Biological/Physical Lab Science Elective (GL) | 4 | |
| General Elective 1,2 | 1 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
If a four-credit course in mathematics is substituted, the one-credit General Elective in the fourth semester is not necessary.
- 2
If a four-credit course in biological/physical science is substituted, the one-credit General Elective in the fourth semester is not necessary.
Additional Information
Students who wish to pursue further study in photography may, with instructor permission, enroll in Independent Study.
General Education Degree Requirements
Note: The following codes identify courses which satisfy the General Education Degree Requirements:
Behavioral/Social Science (GB)
English Composition (GE)
Arts/Humanities (GAH)
Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues (GI)
Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL)
Mathematics (GM)
Biological/Physical Science (GS)