Facilities
Located
in the Bonnell Building on the College's Main Campus at 1700 Spring Garden St.,
the Department of Photographic Imaging was designed in conjunction with building
architects to provide an optimal learning environment for aspiring photographers
and videographers.
Even before blueprints were drawn, the Department already had earned a reputation of inspiring photographic excellence. However, these new, specialized classrooms and darkrooms, along with a large new studio, spacious finishing areas, and a well-stocked equipment room have consistently helped students achieve a high-level productivity atypical for a program of our size.
Like any institution of higher learning, however, its ability to grow in its educational mission requires that it adjust its resources for the future. The Department of Photographic Imaging can proudly state that it was an early adopter of the digital phenomenon, introducing computer image-enhancement components into its curriculum over a decade ago.
Presently,
the Department of Photographic Imaging has two modern computer labs, each
dedicated solely towards the creation of digital media and used only by those
enrolled in our courses. These digital "darkrooms" are equipped with powerful
computer workstations enabling students to do everything from non-linear video
editing to outputting of archival digital prints. Some workstations have
dedicated film scanners in various film formats including medium and large
formats, while others have direct connections to the type of wide-format Epson
inkjet printers that are typically used by today's professionals. Calibration
tools for critical work are provided in order for the student to master color
management.
Adobe Photoshop (currently version CS-2) is taught in the Photo 151 - Introduction to Digital Imaging and Photo 152 - Color Photo and Digital Printing courses. Advanced studio classes also make extensive use of this facility for their coursework. The computers are upgraded to current technology on a regular basis and Photoshop and Premiere software has typically been the latest release.
The Photo 104 and 211 Video Production courses shoot productions with both
MiniDV and DVCAM equipment and pro-quality Sennheiser, Shure and Samson
microphones, (including wireless units). A wide selection of Lowel
lighting and accessories are available. Working in small crews, documentary-style projects are shot on
location. Digital post-production involves editing with Adobe Premiere software.
The non-linear video editing classroom have workstations that include dedicated
Mini-DV decks, speakers and professional TV monitors.
Classrooms are intimately sized, and
feature critiquing areas as well as a projection booth for media presentations.
Print finishing rooms are equipped with a variety of trimming, mat-cutting and
dry-mount or cold- mount equipment to allow student to create superior-looking
presentations.
Our still photography studio boasts a large cyclorama wall and 20-foot ceilings with a suspended lighting grid. The studio is directly accessible to a veritable photographic arsenal cached in the equipment area where advanced students check-out Calumet/Cambo view cameras, Profoto studio electronic flash systems and Hasselblad cameras and lenses. In addition, a variety of "grip" equipment, special effects accessories, light banks and other studio needs are readily available.
Despite the growing dominance of digital imaging, time-honored black-and-white printing techniques are presently still valued by our faculty for their aesthetic qualities and their effectiveness as a learning tool. Our present courses in traditional "wet" darkroom classes continue to fill with eager students anxious to experience the magic that occurs at the end of a pair of print tongs.
Yet, similar creative discoveries seem now to occur with the mouse in hand instead. Even as the methods of visual expression evolve, we at the Department of Photographic Imaging are committed to supporting your goals of achieving excellence in them.
If you would like a tour of our facilities, appointments may be arranged by calling 215 751-8519 or send an email to adanek@ccp.edu.