Process Cameraman

ITI Process Cameraman Syllabus (English)

Course Overview

• Trade Name: Process Cameraman
• Duration: 1 Year (2 Semesters)
• NSQF Level: Level 4
• Eligibility: 10th Grade Pass with Science
• Objective: To train candidates in operating process cameras, preparing negatives/positives, and handling pre-press reproduction processes, equipping them for roles as process cameramen, pre-press technicians, or plate makers in printing presses, publishing houses, or graphic studios, or for self-employment in pre-press services.
• Certification: National Trade Certificate (NTC) by NCVT

Detailed Syllabus

Semester 1

Trade Theory

• Introduction to Printing: Overview of printing processes (offset, gravure), role of process cameraman.
• Safety Practices: Handling chemicals (developers, fixers), PPE (gloves, goggles), darkroom safety, electrical hazards.
• Process Camera Basics: Types (vertical, horizontal), components (lens, bellows, copyboard), operation principles.
• Photography Fundamentals: Exposure, aperture, shutter speed; basics of light and optics in reproduction.
• Film and Sensitized Materials: Types (orthochromatic, panchromatic), film sizes, storage, handling.
• Darkroom Techniques: Developing, fixing, washing films; chemical preparation and usage.
• Line and Halftone Photography: Principles of line negatives, dot formation in halftones, screen angles.

Trade Practical

• Safety Drills: Using PPE, handling chemicals safely, setting up darkroom ventilation, emergency procedures.
• Camera Operation: Setting up process cameras, adjusting focus, aligning copyboards.
• Exposure Practice: Exposing films for line and halftone negatives, controlling exposure time.
• Film Processing: Developing films in trays, fixing and washing negatives, checking for clarity.
• Line Photography: Producing line negatives from artworks, ensuring sharp edges (±0.1mm).
• Halftone Photography: Creating halftone negatives with screens (100-150 LPI), verifying dot quality.
• Project Work: Producing a set of line and halftone negatives for a sample artwork.

Hours: Theory: 160 hours | Practical: 240 hours

Semester 2

Trade Theory

• Advanced Camera Techniques: Color separation, duotone reproduction, contact printing.
• Screen Printing Basics: Screen preparation, exposure for stencils, applications in reproduction.
• Plate Making: Types (offset, letterpress), coating, exposure, development for printing plates.
• Quality Control: Inspecting negatives for defects, density measurement with densitometers, ISO standards.
• Digital Pre-Press: Introduction to scanners, digital imaging, Photoshop for image correction.
• Printing Processes: Interaction of process camera outputs with offset and gravure presses.
• Entrepreneurship: Starting a pre-press service, costing, market trends in printing industry.

Trade Practical

• Color Separation: Producing CMYK negatives, aligning separations for accurate color reproduction.
• Screen Printing Tasks: Exposing screens for stencils, testing prints for clarity.
• Plate Making: Preparing offset plates, exposing and developing with process camera negatives.
• Quality Checks: Measuring negative density, inspecting plates for scratches or pinholes.
• Digital Work: Scanning artworks, correcting images in Photoshop (color balance, contrast).
• Press Integration: Supplying negatives/plates for offset printing, verifying print quality.
• Project Work: Creating a complete pre-press workflow (negatives, plates) for a multi-color poster print.

Hours: Theory: 160 hours | Practical: 240 hours

Additional Components

• Workshop Calculation and Science
  
  • Calculations: Exposure time, screen ruling calculations, chemical dilution ratios.
  • Science: Optics (refraction, focal length), photochemistry, light spectrum in color separation.
  • Hours: 80 hours/year
• Engineering Drawing
  
  • Drawings: Camera layouts, negative/plate schematics, color separation diagrams.
  • Hours: 80 hours/year
• Employability Skills
  
  • Communication: Client interaction, technical reporting, teamwork in printing units.
  • IT Literacy: Using pre-press software, digital scanners, online printing resources.
  • Soft Skills: Time management, resume writing, interview preparation.
  • Hours: 60 hours/year

Assessment and Certification

• Exams:
  
  • Theory: Written exams per semester (MCQs, descriptive questions).
  • Practical: Tasks like producing negatives, color separations, plate making, quality checks.
• Evaluation Criteria: Negative/plate accuracy, image clarity, safety adherence, print-ready output.
• Certification: NCVT National Trade Certificate (NTC) upon passing both semesters, globally recognized.

Career Opportunities

• Employment: Process cameraman, pre-press technician, plate maker in printing presses, publishing houses, or graphic studios.
• Self-Employment: Pre-press service provider, freelance plate making, consultancy for printing firms.
• Further Studies: Diploma in Printing Technology, certifications in digital pre-press or offset printing.