The Photography Program at Iowa Central prepares students for a wide range of exciting, distinguished careers as creative, innovative leaders in the photography industry. The program consists of building a strong foundation in commercial photography, fine art photography, and portraiture by exploring theory and practice. Students develop proficiency in digital and analog photography from capture through print and digital presentation. Along their learning pathway, students receive hands-on experience in studio lighting, black and white processing, basic video production and editing, alternative processes, and presentation practices. Focus will be placed on establishing an authentic personal brand utilizing a wide range of business and marketing strategies.

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Our faculty and staff consist of experienced professionals who create an environment that encourages creativity, technical aptitude and critical thinking. The Photography Program is devoted not only to the refinement of visual skills, but to the cultivation of the mind. In addition to teaching technical skills and artistic design, the program stresses positive work habits and helps students develop personal style and career goals. Our objective is to successfully educate and graduate professional image makers with the technical, theoretical, artistic and business skills necessary for their success. Upon completion of our program, graduates can expect to open their own business, freelance, or fill employment positions in the marketplace of today’s ever-changing professional imaging industry.

Enrollment Date: Fall Semester, Spring Semester with Instructor Approval

Minimum Required Credits: 61

Campus: Fort Dodge

Department: Career and Technical Education

CIP#: 50.04060200

Approved: 03/12/2020

Program Outcomes:

1. Develop knowledge of principles of aesthetics and visual communication and integrate these principles creatively in still and motion based images and in new media storytelling.
2. Establish a thorough and adaptable knowledge of software used in digital imaging and new media storytelling.
3. Construct a complete digital imaging workflow that includes capture, post processing, ethical considerations of digital techniques based on genre and asset management techniques from image capture to image archive.
4. Demonstrate thorough knowledge and application of DSLR and analog camera techniques for capture of both still, time and video based imagery while applying effective lighting techniques in natural, artificial and mixed lighting in a variety of photographic areas including product, still life and portraiture.
5. Compute an understanding of professional practices, communications, organizations and career opportunities in the field of professional photography. This will be demonstrated by creating a professional body of work and appropriate support material such as website and marketing materials, to showcase personal vision and technical skills.