Welcome to PHT 101 - Photography I, offered by Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) Online.

PHT 101: Photography I, teaches principles of photography and fundamental camera techniques and requires outside shooting and online lab work. This course introduces fundamental techniques of photography including digital camera operation. PHT 101 explores the medium as a fine art and means of communication. Exposure techniques and creative approaches will be discussed. Online lectures and slide presentations will expose students to photographic ideas and images. Emphasis is on the technical and aesthetic aspects of creating photographs.

Though many online courses offer guidelines as to when assignments should be turned in, this course requires deadlines. Feedback is given after each assignment to help resolve technical and compositional issues. This aids in the evolution of student's work over the course of the semester, allowing for personal growth as a photographer.

Prerequisites

The following are required for entry into this course.  Equipment problems should be resolved quickly to avoid falling behind in the coursework.  If you feel you lack any of these, please contact the instructor immediately. 

Camera

Students must have access to their own cameras for the semester. Use a digital camera with a manual mode of operation (shutter speed priority, aperture priority, etc.).

  1. Suitable cameras:
    1. digital SLR camera + 50mm lens (zoom lenses are acceptable but 50mm is better, speak to me before buying)
    2. mirrorless or micro 4/3 camera with manual controls for Aperture, Shutter, and focus. 50mm lens if possible
    3. compact digital camera with manual controls for Aperture, Shutter, and Focus
    2. Unsuitable cameras:
    1. fully-automatic digital pocket cameras with only Full Auto and scene modes
    2. cell phone cameras (except for the first exercise)
    3. video camcorders with still capture controls
    4. film cameras

Optional Equipment

Computer and Computer Skills

You should have a personal home computer with Internet access. You may use on-campus computers, but limited availability may interfere with your coursework. Many of the links used in this class go to sites with photographs. These can take a long time to download if you have a slow Internet connection.

Your photographic assignments must be submitted online as instructed in this course site, so a computer with internet access is required. Because these files can become quite large, high speed internet access (e.g. on-campus, cable modem or DSL) is required.  This process will not work with a dial-up or slow connection.

Basic Computer Skills are critical to your success. You should know how to: