Coordinator: Thomas Seifert (936)294-1196; tseifert@shsu.edu
Faculty: Jack Barnosky, Rebecca Finley, Emmette Jackson, James Paster, Thomas Seifert
Website: www.shsu.edu/~pho_www
Photography, whether commercial or fine art, relies on technical and visual skills that serve one goal: communication. The student who is best prepared to solve the challenges that photography presents is the student with a command of the fundamental principles and practices involved. In a controlled environment under close observation with feedback, students are encouraged to explore, take risks, find their own path, and develop their skills.
Three photography degree programs are offered to form a positive environment in which students can explore their creative potential. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees emphasize photographic fundamentals, visual literacy, photo history and business practices that prepare students to begin a career in Professional Photography. The student who receives the B.A degree emphasizes the liberal arts while. The BS emphasizes the sciences. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, offered in conjunction with the Art Department, places photography as an area of specialization within an intensive study of the fine arts and prepares students to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree.
Variety of opportunities for students in a broad area of photography careers depending on student’s individual interest.
Minors can be chosen based on the students goals and career choices. The minors can be selected from several areas such as General Business, Art, Marketing, and Mass Communications. Students are encouraged to contact an advisor when selecting a minor. Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees do not require a minor.
Internship courses are designed to provide students with work experience in a career related professional atmosphere. This allows the student to gain valuable working knowledge in the field of photography.
Madison Wolff and Hal Fulgham Scholarships are endowment scholarships for students interested in photography.
Equipment and costs. Students enrolled in photography courses must furnish their own 35mm camera. As photography majors and minors progress through the program more expensive and complex professional equipment can be checked out for use or they may wish to purchase their own professional equipment. All students should be prepared to meet expenses for consumable supplies (film and paper).
Required Courses for Major
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science: PHO 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 332, 333, 361, 363, 430, and 495.
Bachelor of Arts majors must take PHO 337.
Bachelor of Arts
| First Year | Credit | Second Year | Credit |
| PHO 230, 231, 232 | 9 | PHO 233, 234, 361 | 9 |
| KIN 215 | 1 | HIS 163, 164 | 6 |
| ENG 164, 165 | 6 | PHL 261 or 263 | 3 |
| MTH 164 or 170 | 3 | CS 133 or 143 | 3 |
| POL 261 | 3 | BIO, CHM, PHY, GEL, or GEO | 8 |
| Foreign Language 141 & 142 | 8 | Minor | 3 |
| 30 | 32 | ||
| Third Year | Credit | Fourth Year | Credit |
| PHO 235, 333, 337, 382, PHO(Advanced) | 15 | PHO 363, 430, 495 3 hrs. Advanced | 15 |
| ART 161 | 3 | Minor | 9 |
| Foreign Language 263, 264 | 6 | ECO 230, 233, 234, GEO 161, PHL 262,PSY 131, 289, SOC 261, or 264 | 3 |
| POL 231, 232, 235, 265, 266, 281, or 285 | 3 | PHL 366 or 300 level ART, DNC | 3 |
| Minor | 9 | MUS, or THR | 3 |
| 36 | 30 |
Note: Students should use elective and/or minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement.
| First Year | Credit | Second Year | Credit |
| PHO 230, 231, 232 | 9 | PHO 233, 234, 361 | 9 |
| ENG 164, 165 | 6 | ENG 265, 266, 267, PHL 261, or 263 | 3 |
| MTH 164 | 3 | HIS 163, 164 | 6 |
| BIO, CHM, PHY, GEL, or GEO | 8 | POL 261 | 3 |
| CS 133 or 143 | 3 | MTH 170 | 3 |
| KIN 215 | 1 | BIO, CHM, PHY, GEL, OR GEO | 8 |
| 30 | 32 | ||
| Third Year | Credit | Fourth Year | Credit |
| PHO 235, 333,363, 382, PHO (Advanced) | 15 | PHO 430, 495, PHO (Advanced) | 15 |
| ART 161 | 3 | Minor | 9 |
| GEO 265, 266, HIS 265, 266, or SOC 168 | 3 | MTH, BIO, CHM, PHY, or GEL | 3- 4 |
| POL 231 ,232, 235, 265, 266, 281 or 285 | 3 | ECO 230, 233, 234, GEO 161, PHL 262, PSY 131, 289, SOC 261, or 264 | 3 |
| Minor | 9 | Elective | 3 |
| 33 | 33 |
Note: Students should use elective and/or minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement.
| First Year | Credit | Second Year | Credit |
| ART 161, 163, 164, 265 | 12 | ART 260, 269, 271, 365, 370 | 15 |
| PHO 230 | 3 | PHO 231 | 3 |
| ENG 164, 165 | 6 | ENG 265.266, 267, PHL 261, or 263 | 3 |
| HIS 163, 164 | 6 | MUS,161, 264, 265, THR 160, 164, 166, 230, 231, or DNC 176 | 3 |
| CS 133 | 3 | BIO, CHM, GEL, PHY, GEL, or GEO | 8 |
| MTH 164 (or approved substitute) | 3 | KIN 215 | 1 |
| 33 | 33 | ||
| Third Year | Credit | Fourth Year | Credit |
| ART 366, Advanced Art History | 6 | ART 300-400 level elective | 12 |
| PHO 235, 337, 363 | 9 | PHO 430 and 495 | 6 |
| POL 261 | 3 | PHO 300-400 level elective | 3 |
| POL 231, 232, 235, 265, 266, 281 or 285 | 3 | GEO 265, 266, HIS 265, 266, or SOC 168 | 3 |
| Electives | 9 | Advanced Electives | 6 |
| ECO 230, 233, 234, GEO 161, PHL 262, PSY 131, 289, SOC 261, or 264 | 3 | ||
| 30 | 33 |
| PHO MINOR: | PHO 230, 231, 232, 6 hours from PHO 233, 234, 235 and 9 advanced hours of PHO electives. | 24 hours |
PHO 181 Introduction to Photography. (Non-Majors only) This is a beginning course intended for non-photography majors. Content of the course includes a study of cameras, photographic materials, and visual principles. Students must provide a 35mm camera. Credit 3.
PHO 230 Photographic Principles I. Designed for photography majors and minors, this course introduces the student to the technical principles and creative potential of black and white photography. Credit 3.
PHO 231 Photographic Design. Students are introduced to the basic principles of visual design as they apply specifically to photographic media and methods. Prerequisite: PHO 230. Credit 3.
PHO 232 Photographic Principles II. This course is a continuation of PHO 230. Students will be introduced to advanced exposure techniques and the principles necessary to master use of the large format camera. Prerequisite: PHO 232. Credit 3.
PHO 233 Digital Photography I. This course introduces the student to the tools and techniques used in the creation, manipulation, and presentation of digital images in the desktop computing environment. Credit 3.
PHO 234 Studio Practices I. Students learn the fundamentals of working in the studio photographing people and objects. They are introduced to the use and control of continuous lighting as well as high-powered electronic fl ash in both the silver-based and digital photography modes. Prerequisites: PHO 230 and 233. Credit 3.
PHO 235 History of Photography. A study is made of the history of photography from its earliest beginnings. Technical, visual, aesthetic and social aspects are considered. Writing Enhanced. Credit 3.
PHO 332 Digital Photography II. This course will engage students in a study of the tools, techniques, and applications of electronic photography in the desktop computing environment. Preparation of images will include scanning and computer manipulation of film-based images as well as the importing and use of electronic images in 3D, page layout, and multimedia/authoring applications. Prerequisite: PHO 233. Credit: 3.
PHO 333 Web Site Development. This course is designed to introduce students to the process of designing and creating web sites for the World Wide Web. Beginning with an understanding of the Internet, its history and development, students move on to actually creating web pages in rudimentary HTML 4. Students are also introduced to web authoring tools and learn about their strengths and weaknesses in creating and maintaining websites. The course concludes with an examination of scripting languages, browser differences, and the future of HTML as it morphs to meet the demands of users and programmers worldwide. Credit 3.
PHO 337 Alternative Photographic Processes. In this course students are introduced to a variety of non-standard photographic processes. Prerequisite: PHO 232. Credit 3.
PHO 361 Studio Practices II. This course is a continuation of PHO 234. Advanced commercial product and portrait photography and fundamental photographic business practices are examined in both silver-based and digital modes. Prerequisites: PHO 230, 232, 233 and 234 or consent of instructor. Credit 3.
PHO 363 Photography Seminar. A different topic is presented each semester. Photo majors must take at least one seminar class in order to graduate. May be repeated for credit. Credit 3.
PHO 364 Film Appreciation. A critical examination of the unique way in which movies tell their stories. Each semester a different film genre such as science fiction, documentary, Film Noir, or the films of one director or actor are examined. May be repeated for a total of 6 semester credit hours. Writing Enhanced. Credit 3.
PHO 381 Exhibition Photography. The course deals with the fundamentals of gallery exhibition. Emphasis is placed on developing and promoting a personal photographic style. A study is also made of archival techniques. Prerequisite: 6 hours photography. Credit 3.
PHO 430 Photographic Computer Imaging Applications. This course explores the creation, manipulation, and use of the digital image. It includes experience in three dimensional, animation, and virtual reality environments on the desktop computer workstation. Credit 3
PHO 462 Photographic Field Studies. This course introduces the students to the specialized skills used by documentary photographers. Each student will produce a professional quality photographic project which documents a subject that is of interest to the students. These projects will be done in the field outside of the studio. Prerequisite: PHO 230 or consent of instructor. Credit 3.
PHO 487 Expressive Photography. An exploration is made of the creative application of the photographic image as a means of personal expression. Course requirements include the completion of a portfolio of creative work. Prerequisites: 15 hours of photography or consent of instructor. Credit 3.
PHO 495 Portfolio. This course is designed to assist students in preparing a final presentation portfolio and in addressing issues involved with entering the work force. Recommended for all graduating seniors. Writing Enhanced. Credit 3.
PHO 499 Directed Studies. This course is provided to allow the student, under the supervision of a faculty member, to develop specialized skills, to conduct an investigation into an area of special interest or to set-up and complete an internship with an established professional photographer. Regular meetings will be held with the faculty sponsor. The course will culminate in a portfolio of photographs and/or a scholarly written report. Departmental approval is required before student may enroll in this course. May be repeated or taken concurrently to a maximum of 6 hours. Variable credit.