Photo Digital Imaging I Syllabus for 2026-2027
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Statement on State-Authorized Courses at Amarillo College

For-credit academic and workforce education courses offered at Amarillo College are limited to the course options available in the statewide inventory for two-year public institutions. Courses in the state-authorized lower-division Academic Course Guide Manual and Workforce Education Course Manual have specific descriptions that prescribe course content and may include specific student learning outcomes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) maintains and regularly updates these manuals. Amarillo College faculty and leaders ensure that these courses are aligned with THECB guidelines and evaluated based on student performance outcomes. Students enrolled in these courses are expected to engage with and learn course content. According to the AC Board of Regents Policy Manual, "faculty members are entitled to academic freedom in the conduct of research and teaching and are tasked with the associated responsibilities" (DGC). Students are entitled to academic freedom in the classroom, as well, and faculty "must not attempt to force on students a personal viewpoint and must at all times allow diversity of opinion" (Amarillo College Academic Affairs Manual).

Course

PHTC-1300-001 Photo Digital Imaging I

Prerequisites

Course Description

Instruction in the computer as an electronic darkroom. Topics include color and grayscale images and image conversion and presentation.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

Hours

(3 sem hrs 2 lec 4 lab)

Class Type

Tech Supported

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

none

Supplies

Supply List

1 flash drive at least 1 TB or larger* (this can be used for all of your classes)

Digital camera, min. 10 mega pixels, (photo majors should have a DSLR)

Adobe Photoshop CC software

*For a hard drive to be able to be read/write on both a PC and Mac computers, it must be formatted to ExFAT or FAT32 file format. FAT32 has several limitations, including a 4 GB per-file limit. Formatting an external drive will delete everything on the drive and should be done either before using the drive or after copying all data to another drive.

Technology

Learning Remotely

This course will be taught on online and will meet at the scheduled times throughout the semester. We will use the video conferencing software Zoom (zoom.us). The software is free. To prepare for taking a tech-supported class students will need the following equipment at home:

• Laptop or desktop computer (PC or MAC)
• Computers will need to meet the minimum requirements for Adobe Photoshop CC 2021
• Microphone – this may be built into your laptop or computer, or you may use an external device such as a USB microphone or headset.
• Webcam – a camera may already be built into your laptop, but you can also use an external USB camera for video conferencing.
• Internet – either commercially provided (ex. AT&T, Suddenlink), or a wireless hotspot through your mobile phone.
• Screen share – make sure the computer settings will allow screen sharing in Zoom.
• Subscription to Adobe Photoshop and Bridge apps

Camera: Students will need at minimum a 10 megapixels camera (memory cards and batteries, etc.). All photo majors are required to have a DSLR; a list of suggested cameras is on the Photography web page: https://www.actx.edu/photography/fundamentals-of-photography-i

Adobe Photoshop CC: Students can purchase a subscription to Photoshop CC through the Adobe website: http://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography.html (This link is for photography only, and is cheaper than the full CC, which has a lot of other programs that students may or may not need. Make sure to get the student pricing.)

AC Digital Labs: Students who do not have computers, Wifi, and/or Photoshop at home may work on campus - 4 Mac Labs (Rooms 220, 306, 308, and 312) are available in Parcells Hall for students to work on projects (available hours are posted outside each lab). The Underground (basement of Ware Student Commons) also has PC and Mac available with Photoshop.

Technical Help

• During the first week of school, students are responsible for resolving software and hardware issues so that coursework can be easily accomplished.
• Students may use AC Digital Labs in Parcells Hall (220, 306, 308, and 310) and in The Underground: (806) 371-5429 / underground@actx.edu
• For questions related to personal equipment, passwords, and Blackboard: Ask AC (806) 371-5000 / www.actx.edu/contact
• AC Bookstore has a computer service center that provides free diagnostic services and affordable flat-rate pricing. www.actx.edu/bookstore/computer-service-center
• Instructional Lab Supervisor can assist with software issues and tutoring. PH313A, and can be reached at  806-371-5902.

Financial Aid: Students may purchase cameras, computers, and other supplies through the AC Bookstore during the first week of school: funds are withdrawn from the student's account just like books and other supplies.

Student Performance

Course Description

An introduction to computer and software instruction for electronic imaging. Includes color, gray scale, image conversion, presentation, and ethics. (WECM)

End of Course Outcomes

Produce examples of photographic retouching, color corrections, copy, and photographic restoration; explain the hardware and software used in electronic photography; and organize images in a catalog or database system.

Specific Course Outcomes

1. Demonstrate knowledge of digital imaging software and equipment
2. Begin to define your own rhythm and approach as an artist-photographer
3. Develop concepts and strategies for expressing visual ideas through digital imaging and how to translate your concept to the finished image
4. Identify and analyze the compositional design elements used to create digital images as well as the differences between realism and abstraction and the possibilities and limitations of each
5. Manage digital image files
6. Discuss their photographs in verbal and written form
7. Present work for grading in a professional manner, as directed by the instructor
8. Participate meaningfully in critique
9. Maintain a professional and respectful attitude
10. Maintain classroom facilities and shared supplies

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Class Policies

Course & Conduct

AC Connect (Blackboard)

The syllabus, assignment sheets, screencasts, videos, quizzes, and other documents are located on the AC Connect web page for this course (also referred to as Blackboard). Students should contact AskAC with login questions. Students are responsible for downloading and printing documents as needed.

Photoshop

Students must have Adobe Photoshop available for use during class.
Zoom Attendance & Participation Policy
An engaging and interactive learning environment requires students to actively participate. This policy outlines the expectations for attendance and participation on Zoom.

Students’ overall grade will be dropped one letter grade at 4 absences. At 6 absences, students will fail the course. Arriving late and leaving early will count as an absence every 3rd time. To be clear, the overall grade in Blackboard will be a B for the course, but because the student has 4 absences, the student will earn a C. At 6 absences, students are advised to withdraw from the course.

Attendance Requirements

1. Camera On: Students must have their cameras on during all live class sessions. This promotes engagement and allows for a more interactive classroom atmosphere. Students may use a background image if they do not want the space they are in visible. Students should be available to respond at any time and should post a comment in the chat room if they need to leave for a moment.
2. Microphone Functionality: Students are required to ensure that their microphones are working. Participation in discussions and group activities is essential, and students should be ready to contribute verbally.
3. Profile Picture: Students must post a selfie as the profile photo; this will help everyone with face recognition.
4. Attendance Tracking: Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. Students who are not visible on camera or who do not respond when called will be marked as absent.
5. Alternative Labs: When a student’s computer equipment is not working properly, they will need to have an alternative space to use. AC Washington campus has many options (see Technology – AC Digital Labs above), but it could also be a friend’s house, a library, or a place of employment.
6. Photoshop: Students must have Adobe Photoshop available for use during class and be prepared to share screens and show work in progress.

Participation

1. Active participation is encouraged and will contribute to the overall grade. Students should be prepared to engage with peers and the instructor on camera, share screens during work-in-progress reviews, and respond to prompts in the chatroom throughout the session.
2. Students who do not respond to verbal and written prompts during class will be marked as leaving class early. Leaving early and arriving late are both marked as tardy.
3. Work-in-progress reviews: Students will show unfinished projects and receive feedback and technical help during class labs. Sharing work during this time is required to ensure students are learning assigned techniques as the course progresses. Up to 10% of the project grade is showing work in progress.
4. Critique Policy: Images must be finished uploading by 8 am on the day of the critique. To avoid last-minute issues, students are encouraged to submit work the night before. Files not submitted by this time will not be accepted unless an extension was approved in advance.  A thoughtful critique of student work requires all students to participate. Once a critique begins, all other activities must stop. Up to 10% of the grade for a project is connected to critique participation. To earn full credit, students must participate in the entire critique.

Communication

The preferred method of correspondence is email: rwest@actx.edu or Blackboard. Please do not use Watermark to send messages.

Copyright Notice
Students must be aware and responsible for the Copyright Notice for the course: The materials in this course website are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for the purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.

College Disability Statement Any student who because of a disabling condition may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact Disability Services (SSC 119, Phone: 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Drop Policy

Should the need arise; the student is responsible for dropping a course. See the Amarillo College master calendar on the AC website and the course calendar for the date of the last day to drop a course. 

Coursework & Exams

Exam Policy There are two exams and no quizzes. Both exams are available on AC Connect and are open for a week before the due date. Students may take exams twice and the lowest score is dropped.

Homework Policy Although some open lab time is scheduled during class, successful completion of this course will require work outside of class. To earn full credit for projects students must have exercises and portfolios completed at the start of class on the scheduled due date.

Make-up Exam Policy Both exams are available online for a week. In order to be fair to students who take exams as scheduled, failure to take tests by 11 pm on the last scheduled date will result in a zero for that exam score. Exams are available for a week online; this provides students with flexibility to work it into their schedule. There are no make-up exams.

Department

AI Policy
Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like ChatGPT or Google Gemini to create a document or using text-to-image generators such as Midjourney or  Dall-E is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in this course is not acceptable. Students using AI for images will earn a zero on the project.

Appropriation Policy

Appropriated images are not permissible. (Examples of appropriation include stock images, royalty-free images, and artificial intelligence-generated images.) All students are working with images they shoot with a camera or flatbed scanner. Personal artwork designed for the project may also be used. Drawings may be scanned or imported from other software. All elements in the images must be created by the student. Appropriation of images, regardless of the source, is plagiarism. The use of appropriated images will earn a zero for the project.

Lab Policy
Only students currently enrolled in photography classes are allowed to use photography labs. Do not invite friends and family into the labs. The computer labs, darkrooms, and studios require students to be enrolled in a course or have taken specific courses before using those areas.
 

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria / Grade Scale

Percentages for assignments breakdown as follows:

Abstraction, Scanograms, Juxtaposition, Enhancement (10% each)

Ethics Discussion: 10%

Transparency Portfolio:  20%

2 Exams: 10% (5% each)

Constructed Space Portfolio: 20%

Refer to handouts for the requirements on each assignment.

Grading Format / A-F 100-0%

A = Excellent 100-90%

B = Good 89-80%

C = Adequate 79-70%

D = Weak 69-60%

F = Unacceptable 59-0%

Grading Policy

Assessment of projects will be based on the following:

Visual Expression

Individual interpretation of the assignment

Intentional compositional design

Explores the concept of digital imaging as visual art

Technical Skills

Demonstrates knowledge of Photoshop 

Presents technically well-crafted digitally composited images in a professional manner

Displays an understanding of the concepts and techniques assigned

Professional Practices

Attends lectures, labs, and demonstrations

Shows work in progress

Discusses ideas and asks questions while projects are in progress

Comes prepared, stays on task, and brings appropriate materials

Presents projects on time and meets the requirements of each assignment

Late Work Policy

Late work will not be accepted (see information on requesting an extension below). The two quizzes are each open for one week, and students may take them at any time. Students may take exams twice, and the lowest score is dropped.

Extensions may be requested for assignments before the due date. Whether or not an extension is granted is up to the instructor. There is a 20% deduction for extensions. Regardless of the situation, all coursework must be completed by Wednesday in the last week of classes.

Please note: For work to be considered completed on time, images must be finished uploading to Blackboard by 8 am on the day of the critique. Work not finished uploading by then will not be accepted. Students are encouraged to upload projects the night before to ensure they are meeting the deadline.

Attendance

Zoom Attendance & Participation Policy:
An engaging and interactive learning environment requires students to actively participate. This policy outlines the expectations for attendance and participation on Zoom.

Students’ overall grade will be dropped one letter grade at 4 absences. At 6 absences students will fail the course. Arriving late and leaving early will count as an absence every 3rd time. To be clear, the overall grade will state the student has earned a B for the course, but because the student has 4 absences the student will earn a C. At 6 absences students are advised to withdraw from the course.

Attendance Requirements:

1. Camera On: Students must have their cameras on during all live class sessions. This promotes engagement and allows for a more interactive classroom atmosphere. Students may use a background image if they do not want the space they are in visible. Students should be available to respond at any time and should post a comment in the chat room if they need to leave for a moment.
2. Microphone Functionality: Students are required to ensure that their microphones are working. Participation in discussions and group activities is essential, and students should be ready to contribute verbally.
3. Profile Picture: Students must post a selfie as the profile photo; this will help everyone with face recognition.
4. Attendance Tracking: Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. Students who are not visible on camera or who do not respond when called will be marked as absent.
5. Alternative Labs: When a student’s computer equipment is not working properly, they will need to have an alternative space to use. AC Washington campus has many options (see Technology – AC Digital Labs above), but it could also be a friend’s house, a library, or a place of employment. Have a plan.

Participation

1. Active participation is encouraged and will contribute to the overall grade. Students should be prepared to engage with peers and the instructor on camera, share screens during work-in-progress reviews, and respond to prompts in the chatroom throughout the session.
2. Students that do not respond to verbal and written prompts during class, will be marked as leaving class early. Leaving early and arriving late are both marked as tardy.
3. Work-in-progress: Students will show unfinished projects and receive feedback and technical help during class labs. Sharing work during this time is required to ensure projects are meeting the objectives, and students are learning assigned techniques as the course progresses. Up to 10% of the project grade is showing work in progress.
4. Critique Policy: There is a due date for the image files, followed by a critique date listed on the syllabus. The due date for sending image files is the day before the critique date. The reason is that the instructor needs time to download the files before the critique. Files not submitted by this due date will not be accepted unless an extension was approved in advance.  A thoughtful critique of student work requires all students to participate. Once a critique begins, all other activities must stop. Up to 10% of the grade for a project is connected to critique participation. To earn full credit students must participate in the entire critique.

Communication: The preferred method of correspondence is email: rwest@actx.edu

Calendar

Additional Information

Refer to the course in Blackboard for more details.