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.
Photography Class Notes
Limited open studio time for students to practice will be determined at the beginning of each term; dates and times will be discussed in class and posted on studio doors. Students should be respectful to monitors and observe all studio policies and practices. Open studio is intended for students to practice what is covered in class and not for production purposes.
Registration Information
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.
- Click the 'Register Now' button below to begin the registration process.
- Click onto 'Sign In' at the top right side of the page.
- To sign in, enter your user name and password. If you do not have an account, you can create one quickly by specifying a user name, password, and email address.
- Navigate to your desired course. Click the 'Add to Cart' button associated with the course.
- After completing the registration process and remitting payment, you will receive an email containing your registration confirmation.
Photography Classes - Summer 2024
Course Description
Make your photographs more dynamic by using simple techniques and compositional tools. Gain a sound understanding of basic camera functions to give you more creative control of your manual 35mm film or digital SLR camera. Discussions will center on focus settings, focal lengths, exposures, composition arrangement, camera angles, and other strategies for making successful photographs. The instructor will work with you individually to solve specific problems.
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. Students should have a manual adjustable 35mm film camera.
Digital Media Classes - Summer 2024
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). See website for a materials list.
Course Description
Discover new avenues of creativity and expression with 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. Prerequisite: Some working knowledge of computers, drawing and painting is helpful but not required.
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.
Course Description
This class is a low-tech approach to creating a stop motion short for both artists or educators; it’s a fun way to add the design elements of time and motion to your art. No previous filmmaking experience or digital editing skills are needed. Create a basic short film animating paper cut-out forms that are hand-drawn. Backdrops can be painted or made with photographs. The workshop will cover storyboarding, capturing frames, editing, soundtracks, and exporting. Content approaches are flexible from a traditional narrative to being more intuitive. Students will need to download a free source app to their phone or tablet (iOS or Android compatible); see website for materials list.
© 2022 The University of Texas at San Antonio | One UTSA Circle San Antonio, TX 78249 | Privacy Statement