About Photography

The City College of San Francisco's Photography Department is one of the oldest and largest programs in the country founded in 1935.

We offer degrees and certificates and a broad selection of classes including but not limited to Digital Photography & Imaging, History and Aesthetics of Photography, Advanced B&W Darkroom Techniques, Advanced Studio Lighting, Mixed Media Processes and Business Practices of Photography.

Our faculty and staff consist of experienced professionals who create an environment that encourages creativity, technical aptitude and critical thinking. Whether your interest is as a commercial photographer, fine artist or enthusiast, we will provide the means and guidance that will help you achieve your goals.

Explore Potential Careers

Studying Photography can lead to a variety of different jobs or career paths. Below are just some of the many options you will have!

  • Commercial Photography
  • Portrait & Event Photography
  • Fine Art Photography
  • Editorial Photography
  • Documentary Photography
  • Photographic Lab Technician
  • Photo Assisting
  • Digital Imaging Artist
  • Photo Retoucher
  • Gallery or Museum Assistant
  • Digital Archivist
  • Photographic Drone Operator
  • Photography Digital Technician

Program Options 

Click on the degree or certificate you're interested in earning to see a sample map of courses to take to complete your goal from start to finish.

Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan to you and your Academic goals.

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotes
PHOT 51Beginning Photography3F, Sp, Su
PHOT 50A or PHOT 50B or PHOT40History & Aesthetics Pre-1945 or History & Aesthetics Since 1945 or Photography as Activism4F, Sp, Su
CCSF GE Area E
PHOT 100/DSGN 101/VMD 101Design Fundamentals3 F, Sp
CCSF GE Area BENGL 1A + 1AS: University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support4 - 6F, Sp, Su
CCSF GE Area ACommunication and Analytical Thinking3F, Sp, Su

Total Units: 17 + 

Semester 2

Course NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotes
PHOT 80Outdoor & Ambient Lighting3F
PHOT 81A or 81DIntermediate Photo B&W Film/Darkroom or Intermediate Photo: Digital4F, Sp
PHOT 85ABeginning Lighting Techniques4F, Sp
MATH 46, MATH 60 or 860, ET 108B, or ET 50, or PSYC 5, or ECON 5, or LALS 5, or PHIL 12A, or FIN 136M or higher math course (or equivalent)Math Graduation Requirement3 - 8F, Sp, Su
CCSF GE Area DSocial and Behavioral Sciences Requirement3F, Sp, Su

Total Units: 16 +

Semester 3

Course NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotes
PHOT 85B or PHOT90 or PHOT92Advanced Studio Lighting Tech or Portraiture or Fashion Photography4F, Sp
PHOT 60APhotoshop for Photographers 13F, Sp, Su
PHOT 52Photographers and Their Images or other PHOT Elective such as PHOT140 Internship or any PHOT 101 or PHOT102 or extra lighting class (PHOT85B,90,92)1 - 3F, Sp, Su
PHOT 99Business Practices of Photography3Sp
CCSF GE Area FUnited States History and Government Requirement3F, Sp, Su
    

Total Units: 16+

Semester 4

Course NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotes
PHOT 60B or PHOT 81BIntermediate Photoshop or Advanced Black & White Darkroom3 - 4Sp
PHOT 130Portfolio Production2Sp
PHOT 102B or PHOT102A or PHOT102DDocumentary/News Photography or Architectural Photography or Drone Photography2F, Sp, 
Phot 83 or PHOT 102C or PHOT102EPhase One/Capture one OR Capture One OR View Camera2F, Sp
CCSF GE Area CNatural Sciences Requirement3F, Sp, Su

CCSF GE Area H		Ethnic Studies, Women's and Gender Studies and LGBTQ Studies3F, Sp, Su

Total Units: 16 +

Transfer Options

The program coursework you complete at City College will satisfy lower-division requirements for related majors at several colleges and universities. The Photography AS degree also leads to Guided Pathways in many CSU and private colleges, including the following:

Have questions about transfer? Visit the Transfer Center for help, transfer information, and/or to speak with college representatives.