Digital Photography

Program Description

The MSJC Photography program offers adult learners digital production and workflow skills. Photography students are immersed in project-based, active, and real-world production challenges as well as creative skill set development. Career-oriented photographers embark on a path of inquiry that explores visual communication by creating images with professional visual impact, industry-standard quality, and mastery of digital asset management.

Images are fixed by digital sampling varying light energies with light sensors and sophisticated software. The chemical process is obsolete and was officially displaced when the RAW photographic file format was developed shortly after the turn of the millennium. Full-frame ‘Mirrorless’ technology and computational photography are now pushing the DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) cameras into its own obsolescence. MSJC photography students will ride the wave of their own era into professionalism. None of your precious time and financial resource will be spent trudging through obsolete technologies. The MSJC digital photography program wrote and offered its first digital photography course in 1998. We have been ‘forward-thinking’ for over two decades.

You can start the program without even owning a camera. In fact, you are better off delaying any equipment purchase until you have mastered the fundamentals of professional quality in order to wisely collect only the equipment necessary to compete and succeed as a professional photographer. 

Photography Department Page

Transfer Preparation

MSJC offers a wide range of course work that prepares students for the workforce or for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. All four-year institutions prescribe their own standards for course evaluation and admissions. Courses that fulfill major requirements for an associate degree in a program at MSJC might not be the same as those required for transfer into a similar major at a four-year university. Please meet with a Counselor to confirm transfer requirements.  

Transfer students are advised to do research on prospective majors and careers. The MSJC Transfer Center and MSJC catalog can be helpful tools. Students interested in transferring to CSU’s or UC’s can access major preparation by visiting ASSIST. All students are advised to meet with a counselor at least once a semester to create or update their comprehensive education plan.  

Contact Information

San Jacinto Campus
(951) 487-MSJC (6752)
1-800-624-5561
Keith Hanz (951) 639-5546
khanz@msjc.edu

Menifee Valley Campus
(951) 672-MSJC (6752)
1-800-452-3335
Keith Hanz (951) 639-5546
khanz@msjc.edu

Degrees

Non-Transfer Degree

Certificate

  • Students will create, imagine, and innovate.
  • Students will think interdependently.
  • Students will think and communicate with clarity and precision.
  • Students will strive for accuracy.
  • Students will persist.

Discover in-demand careers and education options based on your interests!  See the list of careers below or explore further by searching for Careers or Programs.

Note: There are no guaranteed positions for students completing these programs. Education and work experience required will vary by employer. The salary and benefits for specific occupations will be dependent on work experience, education, background, and employer. Labor market statistics are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau, O-NET, EMSI.

Career/Industries CA Annual Median Salary or Range Employment Demand or Opening CA
Photographer (C, A) $55,275 2,906

(degree required: SM some college, C: Certificate, A: Associate degree, B: Bachelor’s degree, M: Master’s degree, D: Doctorate)