Photography & Digital Media

At UTSA Southwest, we have an exceptional facility for teaching traditional and non-traditional imaging. Students receive a solid technical foundation in photography, combined with opportunities to learn innovative techniques, both historical and digital.

Increasingly, digital imaging has become a powerful tool in helping artists express their creative vision and digitally produced art has opened new vistas for innovative expression for many exhibiting artists.

Materials List

Classes not listed here will either have required materials in the class description, discuss needed materials during the first class, or the materials will be supplied.

Class details (meeting times, tuition, etc.) are listed below.

View Materials List

Registration Information - Summer 2023

Classes are open-enrollment to the community. Class registration is a simple process. Read 'How to Register' below to get started. Click here to view all registration policies and guidelines, including information on payments, class withdraws and cancellations, refunds, and more.


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Register NowClass Catalog

Photography Classes - Summer 2023


Course Description

Make your photographs more dynamic by using simple techniques and compositional tools. Learn basic creative control of your manual 35mm film or digital SLR camera as well as focal lengths, composition arrangement, camera angles, creative camera controls, and other strategies for making successful photographs. The instructor will work with you individually to solve specific problems.

Instructor

John Hendrick

Dates

Wed, May 24 - Jul 12 | 6:30 - 8:30pm

Location

Gen Ed Classroom, 2nd Floor | Santikos Building

Sessions

8

Tuition - Regular

$175

Tuition - Friends

$160


Course Description

This class is designed for photographers who have no previous darkroom experience or those who want to expand their knowledge of the darkroom. Learn about black & white film developing and printing, dodging and burning of prints, toning, print retouching, and print finishing. Essential elements of camera handling, metering, lens accessories, camera accessories, and composition issues will be explained and demonstrated. Intermediate-level photographers will be encouraged to achieve better mastery over their equipment, materials, and printing skills.

Instructor

  • Section A: Nancy Cavender-Garcia
  • Section B: Joshua Perez

Dates

  • Section A: Tue, May 30 - Jul 25 (No class Jul 4) 9:00am - 12:00pm
  • Section B: Tue, May 30 – Jul 25 (No class Jul 4)

Location

Lende Photography Studio | Santikos Building

Sessions

8

Tuition - Regular

$305

Tuition - Friends

$290


Course Description

Learn the process for creating cyanotypes on fabric. Cyanotypes is a fun photographic printmaking process that uses the sun to develop images resulting in a vibrant deep cyan-blue finished print. The technique dates from the late 1800s and was first used to create blueprints for architecture, then used artistically by Anna Atkins to create the first photograms. Create your own printing plates using digital photo negatives, cut paper, found botanicals, crayon, and ink. Students will work in the darkroom, the studios, and outside to create dynamic prints. On the second day, students will work collaboratively to create and print a large cyanotype mural. Includes some materials: please see website for a materials list.

Instructor

Sarah Fox

Dates

Sat & Sun, Nov 5 & 6 | 10:00am – 4:00pm

Location

Lende Photography Studio | Santikos Building

Sessions

2

Tuition - Regular

$185

Tuition - Friends

$170

Digital Media Classes - Summer 2023


Course Description

Learn how to organize, manage, and edit your digital images like a pro with Adobe Lightroom® —the best all-in-one solution for photographers. You will build a foundational understanding of Lightroom’s most powerful tools and learn how Lightroom may be a better alternative to Photoshop for your image editing workflow. This class will primarily focus on Lightroom Classic (desktop-optimized) with a general overview of Lightroom CC® (browser-based). Includes some materials: please see website for a materials list.

Instructor

Amanda Dominguez

Dates

Mon, Jun 5 – Jul 31 (No class Jul 10) | 7:00 – 9:00pm

Location

Digital Imaging Studio | Santikos Building

Sessions

8

Tuition - Regular

$255

Tuition - Friends

$240


Course Description

Discover new avenues of creativity and expression with the digital painting and compositing tools in Adobe Photoshop. Students will learn the fundamental concepts and standard practices of digital image creation, with an emphasis on digital painting, illustration, and collage. Explore the digital image-making process from start to finish and become proficient at importing sketches and photo references, using customized Photoshop drawing and painting tools and various techniques of layering and collage. The instructor will provide both general class instruction and individual assistance with personal projects to help you bring your visions to life. Prerequisites: Some working knowledge of computers, drawing and painting is helpful but not required.

Instructor

Michelle Love

Dates

Thu, Jun 8 - Jul 27 | 6:30 - 9:00pm

Location

Digital Imaging Studio | Santikos Building

Sessions

8

Tuition - Regular

$260

Tuition - Friends

$245


Course Description

Animated digital graphic effects entertain us more than ever before with multiple outlets on television, the internet, and other digital services. Instruction will focus on the basics of how to use Adobe After Effects® software, as well as some Photoshop for pre-production. Character animation, transitions, masking, 3-D space, and other effects will be covered. Artists and cartoonists will be able to bring their illustrations to animated life!

Prerequisite: Cartooning, Comics, Caricature, and Anime; Graphic Novel Design; or similar experience recommended; working knowledge of computers is essential. Students are recommended to have their own Adobe subscription if wanting to work off-campus; see materials list. Open to ages 15 and older.

Instructor

Mike Fisher

Dates

Wed, Jun 7 - Jul 26 | 6:30 - 9:00pm

Location

Digital Imaging Studio | Santikos Building

Sessions

8

Tuition - Regular

$260

Tuition - Friends

$245

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