THE POWER OF THE IMAGE

by Art Photography Faculty

A strong image is instantly felt and understood, and in this way, it can be more powerful than text. Images document life experience and historical events, offer notions of beauty and aesthetics, and are a vehicle for examining and expanding our ideas about everything.

Photographic images are not simply pretty pictures on a wall, they have the power to influence social movements: change people’s feelings about war, race, gender and the environment. Consider how successfully political camps manipulate images to advance their candidates and causes.

Cabrillo photography students learn to become discerning image consumers and potent image creators through developing critical thinking and photographic technical skills.

CABRILLO ART PHOTOGRAPHY PROGRAM

The Cabrillo Art Photography Department is recognized by four-year institutions as a premiere program that provides an exceptionally strong foundation in traditional and digital photographic technologies. The program bridges traditional black-and-white photography, digital photography, alternative processes, lighting, video, history of photography and contemporary trends. Art Photography classes emphasize technical process, creative image making, and visual communication skills for transfer to four-year institutions, to enter employment or to upgrade skills, and as a means of personal expression.

Our students transfer to UCSC, SJSU, California College of the Arts, the San Francisco Art Institute as well as other state, out-of-state, and private art colleges to continue their studies in photography and visual arts. Within the extensive photo community of Santa Cruz County, Cabrillo students are employed by local photography retailers and labs, and with independent photographers.  Many students create their own businesses, providing commercial photography, portraiture, weddings, event photography and arts marketing.  The aesthetic and technical skills gained in photography classes, particularly composition and design, lighting, and the use of visual language, help prepare students for entering the video industry in Santa Cruz as well as desktop publishing, web design, and multimedia firms.

Recent Cuts

• Lost 1 of 2 classified Lab Tech positions in Spring 2012 cuts
• Cut over 20% of open lab hours in Fall 2012
• Reduced over 20% in sections/TUs since 2008-2009 term

More cuts would seriously impact the Cabrillo Photography Program, reducing its academic and professional strength for students and diminishing its support to the communities of Cabrillo and Santa Cruz.

Service to Cabrillo and Santa Cruz Communities

Art Photography student and faculty participation in community organizations and activities is a hallmark of our program that could be jeopardized with further cuts. These include:

• Dance and Theater Departments – support for publicity photography
• Ceramics – photographing student artwork
• Cabrillo College website – technical assistance
• Wellness Center – images photographed and produced by photo students
• CabrilloArts Summer Workshops
• Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History
• Cultural Council of Santa Cruz
• Santa Cruz Open Studios
• Pajaro Valley Arts CouncilCabrillo College Gallery
• San Jose Works GallerySan Jose Arts Commission

Students exhibit their work professionally

• Cabrillo Enrollment Services Center and Sac East/West
• Cabrillo College Gallery
• Santa Cruz Open Studios
• Santa Cruz Art League
• Pajaro Valley Arts Council
• San Jose Works Gallery 
• Local private and public art display spaces