Contact Information
James Dagdigian (Department Chair)
(831) 645-1317
jdagdigian@mpc.edu

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For Additional Info
• Download our Info Sheet
• Visit MPC Art Photography website
• Connect with a Counselor

Program Overview

In fine art photography, the artist uses the camera to capture their vision, rather than solely to document events or individual subjects. To this end, students in the MPC Art Photography program learn how to control and manipulate light, depth of field, and motion, as well as how to create prints from digital or film sources and control print contrast, tonal range, and color. In addition to providing personal enrichment opportunities, this comprehensive program prepares students to launch a career in the visual arts.

Job Outlook

Program graduates have plenty of potential exhibit venues locally: Monterey and Carmel, important to the history of photography,  boast more than 50 galleries and museums. More broadly, graduates can pursue a wide array of related career opportunities, from commercial and editorial photography to digital design, film production, teaching, and gallery or museum administration.

Potential Careers

MPC Degrees and Certificates

• Art Photography - Associate in Arts (AA)
• Art Photography - Certificate of Achievement (COA)

Year 1 

Year 2 

This is a suggested sequence of coursework and is one pathway for students to earn their degree/certificate. This is not an official educational plan. A counselor is able to assist you with creating a personalized education plan based on your academic, career, and personal goals. For more information about counseling and up-to-date program requirements, please visit www.mpc.edu/counseling. 

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Testimonials 

Travis Geske 

Attending MPC after graduating university was the best academic decision I ever made. It was 2009, and there were no jobs in photojournalism for this recent grad, but MPC had its doors open and a well-stocked film lab to continue to learn in. It's not often these days that an institution of higher learning also allows for such a truly pure educational experience, and yes, to be sure, there are plenty of paths to find yourself in transfer programs and fulfilling prerequisites -- but there's a lot more to learning than that. Kevin Bransfield was a one-of-a-kind, capable, caring educator that curated a space for every student no matter their goals and aspirations -- not a small task when your demographic can range from nine to 90 years in age and sometimes did! It was here that I really fell back in love with the photography that I had been studying in earnest for the previous four years, and was able to work with and assist classmates in our little oak-canopied classroom. With Kevin's gentle encouragement I figured out what I really wanted to pursue and though that path eventually led me away from Monterey, it's with great zeal that I am occasionally able to return and reminisce what a wonderful time I had. Currently working as cinematographer in Los Angeles, I spend much of my year traveling and dreaming of an eventual return to Monterey. Recent completed projects include the Tax Collector, Moonfall, and Camelbak’s Thirst For More ad campaign.