Our digital photography classes are taught by working photographers and unite vision, style, and technical proficiency to clarify students’ ideas. The College uses a real-world, hands-on approach to teaching students the technique, aesthetics, and conceptualization skills needed to create a photographic portfolio that all students can be proud to have.

Digital Photography Certificate

The six-course certificate program documents that you have the basic skills and knowledge required to enter the competitive digital photography market. The courses focus on building your technical skills and enhancing your creativity.

Students are eligible to receive this certificate after completing these courses:

  • Digital Photography: The Basics
  • Adobe Photoshop Elements: Part One**
  • Adobe Photoshop Elements: Part Two**
  • Introduction to Photoshop CC**
  • Advanced Photoshop CC**
  • Light — The Essence of Photography
  • Using Lighting to Create Spectacular Portraits
  • Presentation and Display Techniques for Photographs

**Note: You only need to complete the two Adobe Photoshop Elements classes or Photoshop CC classes.

PHO-383 Digital Camera Basics Workshop

Start from the very beginning. Learn digital camera operation and photographic principles and get hands-on experience with your camera. Lunch talk on basic composition principles. Bring your DSL digital camera (charged or with fresh batteries), its manual, and a bag lunch. Enroll early — class size is limited to 16.

$100* (includes $15 lab fee).

Fall 2024 Session

12176 | 10/26 | 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Sat | CAT 105

Spring 2025 Sessions

15649 | 3/8 | 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Sat | CAT TBA

15650 | 3/22 | 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Sat | CAT TBA

PHO-300 Digital Photography, the Basics

Students will be shown how to use a digital camera in this class. Topics will include the fundamental elements of aperture, shutter speed, and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) speed. Students will be introduced to composition and lighting, digital pixel displays of images, and controlling the composition of depth. Please bring your DSL Digital camera to class (charged or with fresh batteries). Students will have the opportunity to evaluate their work by the instructor. 

$270* (includes $135 lab fee).

Fall 2024 Sessions

12164 | 11/11 - 11/27 | 6:30–9:30 p.m. | Mon/Wed | CAT 105

12165 | 8/27 - 9/12 | 6:30–9:30 p.m. | Tue/Thu | CAT 103

Spring 2025 Sessions

15636 | 1/21 - 2/10 | 6:30–9:30 p.m. | Mon/Wed | CAT TBA

15637 | 4/8 - 4/24 | 6:30–9:30 p.m. | Tue/Thu | CAT 103

PHO-326 Digital Photography: Beyond the Basics

This continuation class is designed for digital SLR camera owners who have started using manual modes (aperture priority, shutter priority, or manual) and want to learn more to take their photog­raphy a step further. You are taught how to tune exposure and focus fine and introduced to the more advanced settings to get the most out of your camera and grow your photography skills.

$270 (includes $135 lab fee).

Classes not offered at this time. 

PHO-346 Adobe Photoshop Elements 15: Part One

In this course, the first of a three-part series, see how to create extraordinary photos and quickly share your memories in online albums and unique print creations. Also, see how to rapidly organize and protect all your images and video clips. Students should have primary PC and Windows skills.

$240* (includes $100 lab fee).

Fall 2024 Session

12172 | 9/9 - 9/25 | 6:30–9:30 p.m. | Mon/Wed | CAT 105

Spring 2025 Session

15645 | 1/27 - 2/12 | 6:30–9:30 p.m. | Mon/Wed | CAT TBA

PHO-347 Adobe Photoshop Elements 15: Part Two

This is the second course in the three-part series on Adobe Photoshop Elements 15, the number-one-selling consumer photo-editing software. This course teaches you how to use the software's advanced features, including layers and masks.

$240* (includes $100 lab fee).

Fall 2024 Session

12173 | 9/30 - 10/16 | 6:30–9:30 p.m. | Tue/Thu | CAT 105

Spring 2025 Session

15646 | 2/17 - 3/5 | 6:30–9:30 p.m. | Mon/Wed | CAT TBA

PHO-343 Introduction to Photoshop Creative Cloud

This continuing education course is designed for professional standard Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud using the MAC format. This is the first course in a two-part series designed for professional photographers or those hobbyists that want their images to have that professional look. Topics include working with image selections and layers, adjusting, retouching, resizing, and preparing finished images for web and print use. 

$325 (includes $95 lab fee).

Fall 2024 Session

12170 | 9/17 - 10/10 | 6:30–9:30 p.m. | Tue/Thu | CAT 103

Spring 2025 Session

15643 | 2/17 - 3/5 | 6:30–9:30 p.m. | Tue/Thu | CAT TBA

PHO-344 Advanced Photoshop Creative Cloud

This is the second of a two-part Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud series using the format MAC, the industry standard for professional photographers and graphic designers. In this course, you will be shown how to use this powerful software's more advanced features, including special effects, blending modes, layers, master selection tools, and the Save-for-Web tool. 

$325 (includes $95 lab fee).

Fall 2024 Session

12171 | 10/17 - 11/7 | 6:30–9:30 p.m. | Tue/Thu | CAT 103

Spring 2025 Session

15644 | 3/18 - 4/10 | 6:30–9:30 p.m. | Tue/Thu | CAT TBA

PHO-329 Light — The Essence of Photography

Light establishes mood, defines character, and creates a setting. Discover how professional photographers manipulate natural and artificial light sources to enhance and strengthen an image. 

$100* (includes $40 lab fee).

Fall 2024 Session

12169 | 9/21 & 9/28 | 9:00–12:30 p.m. | Sat | CAT 103

Spring 2025 Session

15642 | 2/22 & 3/1 | 9:00–12:30 p.m. | Sat | CAT TBA

PHO-316 Using Lighting to Create Spectacular Portraits

Study the lighting techniques that are needed to create spectacular portraits. Topics include lighting ratios, props, gels, lamps, back‑drops, multi-spot use, and creating atmosphere and mood. 

$100* (includes $40 lab fee).

Fall 2024 Session

12166 | 10/12 | 9:00–4:00 p.m. | Sat | CAT 103

Spring 2025 Session

15638 | 3/22 | 9:00–4:00 p.m. | Sat | CAT TBA

PHO-317 Presentation and Display Techniques for Photographs

The presentation of printed digital images is critical to their appeal. Topics include developing a digital or printed Portfolio book, the advantage of a Photography website or Instagram. Plus, the approach to promoting your Photography business to increase your income.

$100* (includes $40 lab fee).

Fall 2024 Session

12167 | 11/9-11/16 | 9:00–12:00 p.m. | Sat | CAT 103

Spring 2025 Session

15639 | 4/12 & 4/19 | 9:00–12:00 p.m. | Sat | CAT TBA

PHO-327 Introduction to Sports Photography - Baseball & Basketball 

Learn the tools and techniques for taking great sports images with your DSLR camera. Discussion includes shooting sports using semi-manual and full manual exposure modes, preset and custom white balances, the elements of exposure value, and much more. The class includes classroom instruction, location shooting of the PGCC Owls sports teams, and a follow-up critique.

$180 (includes $65 lab fee).

Spring 2025 Sessions

Baseball: 15640 | 2/17 - 2/24 | 5:30-9:30 p.m | M/W | CAT TBA

Basketball: 15641 | 4/19 & 4/26 | 12:00-2:30 p.m. | Sat | CAT TBA

PHO 357 Smartphone Photography

In this course, you will learn to use your smartphone camera properly. Apply helpful lighting and composition techniques to create the best images and finish your pictures into works of art with various apps. After completing this class, you will likely come away with your best smartphone photos, from technical execution to creative compositions. Know the essential functions of your phone ahead of time, as each phone is different. Bring your fully charged smartphone to class (Lightning connector for iPhone or USB-C cable).

$85 (includes a $35 lab fee).

Fall 2024 Session

12175 | 9/14 | 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Sat | CAT 105

Spring 2025 Sessions

15647 | 1/25 | 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Sat | CAT TBA

15648 | 4/12 | 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Sat | CAT TBA

Certificate

Upon completing these courses, please call 301-546-0873 or email itcerts@pgcc.edu to request your certificate.

Contact Information

Phone: 301-546-0752
Email: ITCerts@pgcc.edu