This September, RCC’s Photographic Technology program proudly celebrated the 10-year anniversary of Dhanraj Emanuel’s contributions to the department. For more than a decade, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the experiences of first-year students, teaching foundational concepts such as design principles and color theory. His influence extends to second-year commercial students as well, guiding them through the technical aspects of lighting, client relations, estimating, and executing professional imagery—from food and beverage to home furnishings and automobiles. Today, he leads the department with vision and dedication.
In August, we also celebrated 10 years of service from Amanda Watts-Bartels though her connection to RCC spans much longer. Amanda first came to RCC as a student, earning her degree in Photography and later returning to complete a Graphic Design degree. In 2015, she rejoined the department as Lab Manager, taking on the complex task of overseeing more than 1,500 pieces of equipment. From cameras and lenses to tripods, microphones, video gear, and beyond, Amanda ensures everything is in working order and accessible to students—an essential part of their hands-on learning experience.
This week’s celebration was a powerful reminder of the lasting legacy and strong network within the RCC Photographic Technology community. Four former department heads were in attendance, sparking a spirited “meeting of the minds.” Faculty reconnected with their own former instructors, while current students witnessed firsthand what it means to be part of the RCC family.
Want to know more about our program? Randolph Community College (RCC) offers a comprehensive Photography program designed to equip students with both technical skills and creative expertise for a successful career in the field. The program features a range of Photography degree programs catering to various specialized areas, including commercial photography, fine art photography, digital photography, analog photography, portrait photography, event photography, sports photography, product photography, wedding photography, and more.
Students gain proficiency in both traditional and emerging technologies such as digital imaging, photo editing, and multimedia storytelling. Instruction covers key skills in studio lighting, location lighting, photo editing, and darkroom techniques, alongside advanced techniques like film processing, color correction, and image retouching. Additionally, students learn to operate industry-standard software tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Capture One, and Premiere Pro for post-production work.
RCC’s photography program prepares students for a variety of careers, including photojournalism, fashion photography, architectural photography, and advertising photography. With a strong emphasis on both artistic and technical skills, students are trained to succeed in a rapidly evolving field that increasingly incorporates emerging image technologies such as drones and interactive imaging.
Located in Asheboro, North Carolina, Randolph Community College offers an accessible and specialized education in photography within the region, while being well connected to the broader photography community in the Southeastern US. Known throughout the industry as a one of the best for photography education, the program is designed to meet the needs of aspiring photographers, whether they wish to pursue a career in commercial or fine art photography, or explore specialized niches like wildlife, food, or travel photography.
