Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2025

Course Code: VART6390C

Course Title: Enhance, manipulate and output photo images

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities. 

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption. 

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209. 

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus 

 

Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance. 

School: 515T Creative Industries

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4415 - Certificate IV in Photography and Digital Imaging

Course Contact: Nat Morawski

Course Contact Phone: +61399255583

Course Contact Email: nat.morawski@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Martin Reftel

reftel.larsmartin@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 80

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

In this course you will learn the skills and knowledge required to enhance photo images ready for output.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUAPHI403 Enhance, manipulate and output photo images

Element:

1. Plan image output

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Clarify and confirm concept for final images in consultation with relevant personnel

1.2 Identify and select work prints or files and check that they are consistent with concept or brief

1.3 Assess qualities and characteristics of work prints or files suitable for enhancement and manipulation

1.4 Confirm output strategies, and materials and equipment needed to produce required image

Element:

2. Prepare for analog or digital work

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Select darkroom or digital work environment to meet project requirements

2.2 Maintain clean and safe work environment during production of work

2.3 Set up relevant equipment safely and prepare materials for work

Element:

3. Enhance and manipulate images

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Select techniques for image enhancement and manipulation consistent with concept, testing processes and purpose of work to produce optimal quality images

3.2 Identify screen-based issues for consideration where appropriate

3.3 Apply selected techniques to images

Element:

4. Output images

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Select appropriate materials and equipment for output option

4.2 Produce output image by digital or analog means, and confirm that image meets project requirements with relevant personnel

4.3 Confirm that privacy, intellectual property and other relevant legal requirements are met

Element:

5. Complete post-shoot activities

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Restore work area to original condition, disposing of waste safely

5.2 Clean and care for equipment according to manufacturer instructions

5.3 Store equipment according to workplace procedures

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

Learning Activities may include but are not limited to:

 

  • class exercises to review discussions/lectures  
  • practical demonstrations in studio  
  • Blog/Wiki or other online discussion and participation  
  • analysis/critique of relevant reading material  
  • seminars/workshops  
  • design activities or projects  
  • group projects  
  • peer learning  
  • guest lecture/presentation  
  • class presentations  
  • group discussion  
  • research  
  • independent project-based work  
  • group activities/projects  
  • ‘workshopping’ of student projects including peer/lecturer feedback  
  • visits to galleries and events  
  • practical placement  
  • simulated workplace activities.  


Teaching Schedule

Please refer to Canvas for detailed info and updates.

Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.

 

Semester 1, 2025WeekTopicAssessment / Learning activities

Week 1

Course Introduction and overview

Canvas and Adobe CC and how to get access.Assessment overview – Brief look over 3 assessments. 

PowerPoint for Digital Capture: The basics of pixels - Camera settings, Jpeg vs RAW, colour space.

Workplace Safety Overview - Cert IV Shell for WHS activity.

 

Bring portable hard drive for next week’s class. Minimum 1TB (no images or old files on hard drive - to be formatted in week 2)

Week 2

Digital file management workflow: Folders, file naming and backup.

 

Introduction to Lightroom Workspace: Overview.
Lightroom Workflow Practice:

  • Create catalogue and catalogue location (on your external hard drive)

  • Set up preferences and catalogue settings.

  • Create file naming and metadata (copyright) preset templates.

  • Import digital files exercise.

 

Brief Assessment 1: Lightroom Workflow booklet

 

Teacher to provide portrait files.

Week 3

Lightroom: Recap on Import digital files exercise.

 

Library Module:

Keywords adding and searching features.

Star and colour rating files.

Metadata recap – Check presets are stored correctly.

  

Week 4

Lightroom Develop Module:

Panels – Basic, Tone Curve, HSL, Colour Grading, Detail, Lens Correction, Transform, Effects

 

Lightroom portrait colour correction, enhancement and exporting:

Enhance portrait images in Lightroom using global and local adjustments within the Develop module.

 

Exporting images in various formats for assessment submission.

  

Week 5

Recap on general Develop Module editing and exporting for Assessment 1

 

Lightroom Image Enhancement: Introduction

Working on assessment file in Lightroom using global and local adjustments within the Develop module.

Brief Assessment 2: Image Enhancement - PART A

 

Teacher to provide image for activity and assessment.

Week 6

Lightroom Image Enhancement:

Recap of image enhancement in Lightroom using global and local adjustments within the Develop module.

 

Creating 'Virtual Copies' for Black and White and Sepia

Masking feature for subject and objects.

 

Exporting image in various formats for assessment submission.

 

Q and A for Lightroom Image enhancement: Review of assessment 1

  

Week 7

Intro to Photoshop:

Moving images from Lightroom to Photoshop – Benefits and best file management practice.

 

Photoshop Interface, workspace, colour setting menus, palettes, adjustment layers.

Smart Objects in Photoshop and why we use them.

 

Photoshop Workflow

Working with the best tools for photography: Setting up your groups and layers

Assessment 1: Lightroom Workflow Booklet DUE

 

Brief Assessment 2: Image Enhancement - PART B

Week 8

Photoshop Workflow

Working with the best tools for photography:

 

Selection tools: Quick selection, object selection and magic wand.

Pixel editing tools: Clone stamp, heal brush, spot heal brush.

 

Understanding layers and non-destructive workflow.

Student to have image ready for Part B of image enhancement assessment – Image to be approved by teacher.

Assessment 2 - Part B: Student image must be approved Photoshop 

Week 9

What is masking? Layering exercise.

 

Photoshop Single Image Enhancement Intro:

Building from the learning weeks

  

Week 10

Photoshop Single Image Enhancement:

Building from the learning – How to make a successful enhancement using photoshop techniques.

 

Sharpening techniques and exporting from Photoshop

  

 

Mid Semester Break

  

Week 11

Photoshop Single Image Enhancement:

Building from the learning – How to make a successful enhancement using photoshop techniques.

Recap and review

 

Photoshop Portrait Retouch Intro:

How to make edits with a natural effect without obvious treatment using correct workflow, curves for elevating skin and contouring, and colour skin corrections.

Brief Assessment 3: Portrait Retouch.

Students will be provided an image for portrait retouching activity.

Week 12

Photoshop Portrait Retouch continued

How to make edits with a natural effect without obvious treatment using correct workflow, curves for elevating skin and contouring, and colour skin corrections.

 

 Assessment 2: Single Image Enhancement - Lightroom and Photoshop DUE.

Week 13

Photoshop Portrait Retouch continued.

Refining editing process with adjustments, sharpening and export options for various file formats.

 

One on One review opportunity

  

Week 14

Photoshop:

Portrait retouch - Support for student own image

 

In-class time for Portrait Retouch Assessment

 

One on One review opportunity

  

Week 15

Photoshop:

Portrait retouch - Support for student own image

Work in Progress Review of Assessments and resubmissions

 

One On One assessment review opportunity

 

 

Assessment 3: Portrait Retouch DUE

Week 16

 Assessment in class REVIEW: Re-submission opportunity. Assessment re-submission opportunity.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

The library provides free study support services and resources to help you build your academic skills. This includes subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and other services. You can also access one-on-one consultations through the library. For further information:  

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/study-support


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral/written presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS


Assessment Tasks

Please see Canvas for the specific details of your assessments. 

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace.   

To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task. 


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available through Program Administration if required.

Other Information

Attendance:  
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises.   

It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.  
  
Information about your studies:  
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.  
 https://www.rmit.edu.au/students  
  

Assessment:  
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):  
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment  
  
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:   
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.  
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity  
  
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:   
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).  

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.    
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.  
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview