The Photography and Film Communications Program is designed to meet the needs of students seeking an education to prepare them for a career in Photography, Filmmaking, Television Production or Multimedia Audio and Video Materials Development, including web-based News Media. The program offers students a variety of related courses and provides the flexibility for them to specialize in either still imaging or motion picture imaging techniques. The program leads to an Associate of Sciences Degree. The Photography and Film Communications program facilities are located on the Decatur campus in the Noble Russell Building. (See General Education and Major Course Requirements)

Graduates of the program are employed by portrait and wedding photographers, newspapers, magazines, television stations, industrial and government agencies, and camera stores. Many others choose to freelance or open their own studios. Opportunities also exist as the need for higher quality images increase in webpage design and development.

Courses range from traditional black & white and color film development to advanced digital imaging techniques. In the studio, students learn to use props, lighting equipment, and the view camera to photograph still life, food, fashion, pets, and, of course, formal portraits. In staying current with the latest technological developments in digital imaging, the program also offers courses in both Digital Still Photography and Digital Cinema/Electronic Filmmaking with non-linear editing.

Photography students are challenged to do their best in the well-equipped 28'x40' photography studio and six darkrooms. Four of the darkrooms are primarily used to acquire skills in Fine Art black & white film development and enlargement printing. A special Color Darkroom is dedicated to the processing of both color negative and color transparency [slides] materials. An Advanced Student Darkroom includes equipment to develop and print medium and large format films. "Digital Darkrooms" with state-of-the-art computers, scanners, and printers enable students to print digitally captured images. Creativity is encouraged through image manipulation software such as PhotoShop with its multitude of plug-in effects.

Students interested in specializing in Motion Picture Production techniques are provided with the opportunity to work with both 16mm film and digital video production equipment. Laboratories enable students to edit and provide special effects to captured images. Non-linear editing [NLE] is provided by the latest AVID, Adobe Premiere, and Final Cut Pro software. The Photography and Film Communications Program prepares students for a variety of career options.

Calhoun's two television stations, 4CTV [Charter Cable Channel 4 in Decatur] and 2CTV [Calhoun Campus Television], serve as real-world laboratories for students to hone their skills. With professional studio cameras, teleprompters, special effects and character generators, chroma-key and other broadcast quality video production equipment, students are provided with the opportunity to produce projects such as music videos, documentaries, or dramatic productions to air both on and off campus.