ARTT 152 at the University of Maryland Global Campus is an introduction to basic photographic procedures, with an emphasis on composing, taking and editing photographs.
Discussion also covers the historical development of photography. UMGC's catalog notes one practical requirement: access to a digital camera with manual settings.
The camera requirement tells you what the course is about. Automatic mode makes decisions for you; this course asks you to make them yourself, controlling exposure, focus and depth of field to get the image you intend.
Students often find the technical triangle of aperture, shutter speed and ISO confusing at first, and then discover that explaining their choices in writing is just as important as the photographs.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) |
| Course code | ARTT 152 |
| Credits | 3 |
| Equipment | Access to a digital camera with manual settings required |
| Credit note | Credit for only one of ARTT 152 or PHOT 198 |
| Typical work | Shooting assignments, edited portfolios, written reflections, history discussions |
What ARTT 152 Covers
| Area | What you learn |
|---|---|
| Composing | Framing, rule of thirds, leading lines, viewpoint, simplicity |
| Taking | Exposure (aperture, shutter speed, ISO), focus, white balance, light |
| Editing | Cropping, exposure and color correction, black and white conversion |
| History of photography | Early processes, documentary photography, photography as art, the digital shift |
Key Concepts Explained
The Exposure Triangle
Aperture controls how much light enters and the depth of field; shutter speed controls how long the sensor is exposed and how motion appears; ISO controls sensitivity and noise. Changing one usually means adjusting another.
Example: For a portrait with a blurred background, choose a wide aperture such as f/2.8. In bright light that lets in a lot of light, so use a fast shutter speed such as 1/1000 s and a low ISO such as 100 to keep the image clean. In your reflection, explain that the wide aperture created shallow depth of field to separate the subject.
Light
The direction, quality and color of light shape mood. Soft window light flatters portraits; low side light reveals texture.
Editing with Intent
Editing should support what you wanted the image to say, such as correcting color, guiding the eye with cropping or simplifying with black and white, rather than rescuing a weak photograph.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
| Assignment type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Technical exercises | Control of manual settings | Shoot brackets and record settings for each frame |
| Composition assignments | Framing and visual design | Take many variations, then select the strongest |
| Edited portfolio | Selection and post-processing | Show before and after where allowed and explain edits |
| History discussion or paper | Photography's development | Connect a photographer or process to its period and impact |
Writing About Your Photographs
Reflections and artist statements carry real weight. For each image, state your intention, the settings you chose and why, the compositional decisions you made and how you edited the image. Then evaluate: did it work, and what would you change? Record settings as you shoot so you can write accurately later; most cameras also save them in the file's metadata.
For history assignments, focus on how technology and purpose shaped images, for example how faster film and smaller cameras made candid street and documentary photography possible.
Where Students Get Stuck
- Staying in automatic mode. Practice one manual setting at a time.
- Blurry photos. Use faster shutter speeds or a tripod in low light.
- Over-editing. Heavy filters can hide weak composition.
- Thin reflections. Explain choices, not just what the photo shows.
Selecting and Presenting Your Best Work
Photographers are judged as much by what they leave out as by what they show. For each assignment, shoot generously, then review your images critically: check focus and exposure first, then composition and impact. Narrow down to the strongest frames, and make sure each one meets the specific brief, such as showing shallow depth of field or motion blur.
Present your selection consistently. Export images at the size and format your instructor asks for, keep editing styles coherent across a set and give each image a short caption with its settings where required. A tidy, focused submission shows the same care you apply behind the camera.
Study Tips for ARTT 152
- Read your camera manual's sections on manual and aperture or shutter priority modes.
- Shoot the same scene at different apertures to see depth of field change.
- Keep a simple shooting log for each assignment.
- Study photographers from the history units and try their approaches.
How We Help with ARTT 152
Send the assignment brief, rubric, your photos and any instructor feedback. A tutor with photography experience can explain settings and techniques, give specific feedback on your images and help you write reflections, artist statements or history papers. For critique-style writing, see our critical analysis essay guide.
GradeEssays is independent of the University of Maryland Global Campus. We never take or supply photographs for you to submit: your images must be your own, and written help is a study aid under UMGC's academic integrity policy. Written work includes free revisions within the scope of your original request.
Improve Your ARTT 152 Photography Work
Share your photos, brief and feedback. We give specific feedback and help with written analyses, reflections and history papers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. UMGC states that access to a digital camera with manual settings is required.
The catalog specifies a digital camera with manual settings. Check with your instructor before relying on a phone, even one with a manual mode.
No. Students may receive credit for only one of ARTT 152 or PHOT 198.
Composing, taking and editing photographs, plus the historical development of photography.
The range of distance in a photo that appears sharp. A wide aperture gives shallow depth of field; a narrow aperture keeps more of the scene in focus.
No. Editing is part of what you are assessed on. We explain techniques and give feedback so you can edit your own images.