PROGRAM CONTENT
Focal Point’s 10 month diploma program offers students vital information that is required in starting a career in professional photography. These challenging courses, broken into three 13 week terms, teach both technical and creative skills to develop the student’s eye for detail.

PHOTO FUNDAMENTALS
Students are introduced to the world of photography in an intense refresher course dealing with the terminology and functions of the camera, and an in-depth study into each. Technical operations such as f-stops, shutter speeds, focusing, and metering are covered, as well as film types, composition, colour temperature and medium format photography.

PHOTOGRAPHIC FORM & CONTENT
This course incorporates a mix of lectures, shooting assignments, review, and critique sessions. Content of this course blends topics from the history of photography, creative and technical use of light in it’s various forms, and the effective use of “visual language” to explore the hows and whys of photography.

BLACK & WHITE DARKROOM
This hands-on lab class begins with the basic operations of a black and white enlarger and other darkroom equipment. Instruction on film development, chemicals, and the techniques of contact printing and enlarging, will be covered in this class. The students learn, in a professional environment, how to process their own work from film through to the final print and will develop a critical eye for density, contrast and overall print quality.

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS3
Taught in our digital lab, this course starts out with the basic tools and functions of this widely used program. From there, students will learn about the more intermediate levels that the program has to offer including levels, image adjustments, and actions.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
This lecture course familiarizes the student with the business end of photography, whether working for themselves or for someone else. Students become entrepreneurs faced with many decisions and responsibilities that must go into starting, operating and sustaining a successful photography business. Topics cover accounting, business planning, filing systems, insurance, for commercial as well as the business of Fine Art photography.

PHOTOJOURNALISM
This course encourages the student to “find their voice” and expand their skills of communication. Through lectures, field trips, and photo essay assignments, students broaden their awareness of the world we live in and create images with which to portray it. Areas such as press, documentary, and editorial photography are covered, as well as issues of research, editing, equipment and film, ethical considerations and safety. An excellent class for students to learn how to express themselves through stories and visual imagery.

STUDIO LIGHTING
Through the use of a professional, working studio, students learn a variety of lighting techniques and styles. Topics include: use of tungsten lights, studio strobes, power packs, and the principles of portraiture and still life photography. This challenging course introduces the student to the world of studio lighting taking them beyond the basics of light direction and its effects to a detailed understanding of lighting characteristics and controls. This course starts with the principles of studio lighting: using detailed and practical demonstrations to help the student gain precise control of light. Students are encouraged to manipulate lighting conditions through experimentation, with regular guided shooting sessions and assignments students develop and expand their studio skills.

WEB DEVELOPMENT FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
Using Dreamweaver and flash, students will learn to successfully develop and publish a professional website to promote their work. Students will gain an understanding of the Internet, it’s construct, and the skills to maintain their own website. As a final project students will be expected to have developed and published their website on the World Wide Web.

STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY
We all love to photograph nature and travel but what do we do with the stunning images we get from these experiences? This course offers practical, realistic advice on submissions, film vs digital, the difference between a photographic composition and one for a stock agency. Students will learn how to effectively organize their images, what type of equipment is necessary, and copyright information.

EDITORIAL
This class offers a look into the world of corporate and political photography. Through lectures, students will discuss how world events and the times are affecting the industry. Studio demonstrations will show the effective use of lighting for different types of images; students will learn about having a well rounded skill level, to put to use in any situation they find themselves.

FASHION
This course gives the student advanced direction in creative studio and location techniques. It challenges their skills in lighting and camera operations as well as working with creative partners such as make-up artists, and stylists. Students will have hands-on experience in the fast pace of a real fashion shoot on location complete with models. Students are encouraged to allocate studio time to work on subjects of personal interest and complete required portfolio images.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE
With lectures and demos students will learn the most effective way to showcase a product and learn the tricks of the trade. Students will work in groups in the studio setting to produce the quality images that companies are looking for. Students will be expected to hand in high quality images, as if they were submitting these for a job.

SPORTS
This workshop focuses on how best to use your equipment to get great shots of action. When and how best to use certain shutter speeds, panning, and flash. Effective use of available light, and backgrounds, with choice of angles and direction of action are taken into consideration. There is much to learn about this fun and fast paced subject. Students will get a chance to try out their skills in various settings with different sports to see what they are capable of producing.

WEDDING
This course will teach students the skills required to make people want to hire them in a photography industry that is hugely saturated. Through location shoots and studio sets, students will get to experience a full wedding day, without the threat of messing up anyone’s photo’s of their special day. The business of weddings, contemporary posing and settings, and developing a unique style will also be covered.

CONTEMPORARY PORTRAITURE
An advanced study of people photography and the social skills needed to direct real human beings in a work environment. Lectures and studio shoots will be devoted to contemporary approaches to posing, lighting, background, styling and model selection. This course also works on developing the student’s personal style through assignments in family, and child photography.

PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT
The objective of this course is for the student to produce a series of images and present them as a final portfolio. The instructor will cover topics such as the type of book in which the student wants to put the final selection of images, the most effective way to display images, and how to successfully present the portfolio to a prospective client. Class discussions and critiques, along with individual interviews, aid in the portfolio’s progression.

As a final day of classes each student is required to present their portfolio to a panel of professionals. These will be graded based on technical quality, aesthetic and creative originality.

If you would like more information about the Full Time Diploma Program, or to register please click here .

4474 West 10th Avenue
Vancouver British Columbia
V6R 2H9
Tel: 604-224-3636
Toll Free: 1 877 224 3636
info@focalpoint.bc.ca

Cheryl Millar©2007 Keith Henderson©2007 Zipporah Wilson©2007 Klee Larsen©2007