Applicant Letter

Welcome to RCC Photography!

Thank you for taking a step toward success by contacting us.

The RCC Photography Program is in its fifth decade. Our long run of success and national recognition rests on the quality of our instruction, the relevance of our curriculum, and the commitment of our students and the accomplishments of our graduates. Our students come from all over the country to learn how to have a career in the dynamic, creative and exciting field of professional photography. Our curriculum has been carefully designed and is continuously adapting to meet the ever-advancing change in our industry. No matter what degree in Photography you decide to pursue, our instructors are personally dedicated to guide and train you in the latest technical, visual and business aspects of professional photography.

Ours is a two-year Associate Degree program, 6 continuous semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer). Each fall semester we hit the ground running with our new group of 1^st year students. While the program is considered rigorous, no previous photographic knowledge is required. Each student completes the same series of photographic foundational courses during year one. In the second year, students enter one of the three concentration majors: Commercial, Photojournalism or Portrait Studio Management. These concentrations include on-the-job internship opportunities available locally, across the country and the world.

Due to limited seating, we encourage you to apply early. We are here to assist you.

For questions or information about RCC enrollment process and application –

contact Counselor Tammy Cheek (336) 633 – 0246, twcheek@randolph.edu

or RCC Student Services (336) 633 – 0310.

For information about the Photography curriculum or photographic equipment requirements – contact Kevin Eames @ (336) 633 – 0327 or kceames@randolph.edu

Your success is our success. At Randolph Community College, we are dedicated to Creating Opportunities and Changing Lives!

Sincerely,

Kevin Eames

Department Head, Photographic Technology

PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLY COSTS

Each year we survey our graduating Photography students. In the survey, the members of the graduating class are asked to estimate the total they spent on equipment and supplies while pursuing their associate’s degree in Photography at RCC. While the responses vary greatly from student to student, graduates indicate the average spent on required equipment and supplies (excluding digital camera body) ranged from $1500 – $2500.

While the tuition at RCC is quite reasonable, we understand the purchase of photography equipment may seem costly. Our goal is to guide you toward making wise investments. For this reason, we recommend students delay equipment purchases until after the faculty has had an opportunity to explain in detail the equipment and supply requirements. To aid students in budgeting and planning, we have compiled the following list of the required equipment/supplies as well as a list of popular vendors. Some vendors may offer student discounts.

Please note at the beginning of each semester, instructors will issue a list of additional materials and supplies needed for each their classes such as: books, film, paper, matte board, etc.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT (WITH TIME LINE FOR PURCHASE)

Fall Semester – year one – need by 2^nd week of classes

Tackle box kit – available at the RCC Campus Store (may be purchased before semester begins)

Camera bag (padded) – required only for students checking out medium format cameras from RCC Photography Equipment Check Out (ECO)

Cable release – Standard mechanical cable release for film camera

Tripod – https://northcarolinaphotographyschool.com/2016/03/01/tripod-list/

Must be capable of holding 12 pounds! Medium format film cameras are heavy.
3 way pan/tilt heads are preferred.
Ball heads are not NO VIDEO TRIPOD HEADS!
Standard or quick release plate heads are both acceptable.
Recommended brands include: Bogen-Manfrotto, Slik, Induro or Benro.
Use this link for detailed information: https://northcarolinaphotographyschool.com/category/tools-and-supplies/

Light Meter https://northcarolinaphotographyschool.com/2016/03/29/recomended-light-meters/
Capable of reflected, incident and flash exposure readings.
Recommended models include: Sekonic L-308S, Sekonic Litemaster Pro L-478DR , L-758D, L-758DR. (Note: The Sekonic L478DR and L-478D both require a $105 5-degree Viewfinder reflective accessory attachment. Great units but cost a bit more.

Spring Semester – year one – need by start of semester

Digital Camera body – Professional level HD Digital SLR (single lens reflex) – minimum requirements:

Total manual operations
Raw file capture
Metal lens mounts
May be used with interchangeable lenses
Hot shoe
1280 x 720 (or higher) HD Video Capture, 30 / 25 / 24 fps
Auto Bracketing Exposure (AEB)
Audio input (3.5mm stereo mini-external microphone input)
Shutter 1/8000 to 30 seconds, bulb – X-sync at 1/160 or faster
Live view shooting
Custom Color Temperature setting (as well as standard presets)
ISO 100-6400
Burst: Min. 3 frames (shots) per second
Exposure Modes, Full Manual, Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Bulb, Flash Off Camera,
1/160 Flash Sync Speed or faster

Acceptable camera bodies include:

CANON	NIKON
60D	D7000 Series
70D	D500 Series
6D	D600 Series
7D series	D750 Series
5D Mark II & Mark III	D800 Series
5D-S and 5D-S R	D3 Series
EOS 1Ds Mark III	D4 Series
EOS 1D Mark IV	D5 Series
EOS 1Dx

Memory Cards – compatible with your HDdSLR (CF or SD are standard)

Capable of a minimum of 16 Gigabytes of storage, UDMA, 300MB/s or faster.

Multi-Card (SD & CF compatible) card reader – with USB or Thunderbolt connection.

External (portable) hard drive –

Minimum 1TB capacity
Bus powered (does not need an external power cord)
Thunderbolt or USB II / III connection
Ability to format to current MAC OS extended file system

Spring semester equipment continued on next page

Spring Semester – year one – need by start of 2^ndeight weeks

Flash – Hand held “dedicated” electronic flash.

Flash must be “dedicated” to your DSLR system (Canon or Nikon – No after market brands)
Hot shoe mount
Battery powered
PC connection socket
Capable of non TTL automatic function

Radio slave – for remote flash synchronization

Light stand – portable

Batteries with battery charger – 4 AA rechargeable

Summer Semester – year one – need by start of semester

Headphones – over-the-ear style, stereo

Optional Equipment and Software

Medium format camera with normal lens – used Fall and Spring 1^st year

Medium format film cameras will be provided for limited student use by the RCC Photography Department. If a student wants unlimited access to a medium format camera, we recommend purchasing a used camera and normal lens. Please contact us for recommendations.
Acceptable brands are Mamiya, Yashica, Rolleflex, Pentax, Bronica, Hassleblad, and Contax

Computer – used from Spring 1^st year forward

A laptop loaded with software matching that used in your classes is highly recommended but not required.
Apple Macintosh MacBook Pro or iMac ask us about education discounts.

Software – Annual subscription Adobe Creative Cloud – used from Spring 1^st year forward

Popular Vendors