Bars

Photography I, ART 1310

Photography I : ART 1310 COURSE SYLLABUS

Photography I ART 1310 is a beginning level photo class for photo majors that explores the basics of both traditional and digital photography. Students will gain hands on experience operating both film and digital SLR cameras, processing black and white film, making prints using both the darkroom and inkjet printers. This technical experience will be enhanced by a study of ethics and social concerns, the history of photography, and commerical applications for the photographic medium. Students must provide their own digital and film SLR cameras, film, and paper. The course will consist of lectures, demonstrations, labs, hands on experience, quizes, research papers, and possible field trips.

Like any other class you will get out of it what you put into it. Ansel Adams said, "Do not be afraid of the practical and mundane aspects of the medium; they will strengthen your technique and discipline and give you a broader perspective of the world we live in. Having been trained as musician, I am very much aware of the inevitablity of the arduous hours devoted to "practice" so that the expressive intention and thrust will be liberated from the restraints of technical inadequacies."

You are expected to maintain a clean, organized, nice looking portfolio of the images you take in class. This means that negatives need to be in sleeves and sorted by project or assignment. Your best images for each assignment should be enlarged for easy viewing and critiquing and should be dust free and have a nice border. I would suggest getting a black 3 ring binder for this class with plastic sleaves for 8.5x11 prints, negatives, and slides. Or if you want you can get something nicer at Pictureline or another photo store.

Required Materials

Course Objectives

During this course students will learn how to:

  1. Recognize all types of small format cameras, their advantages and disadvantages
  2. Use all features of their personal SLR camera
  3. Control exposure
  4. Control and creatively apply depth-of-field
  5. Control and creatively apply shutter speed and motion
  6. Process black and white film
  7. Make black and white prints in the darkroom
  8. Shoot transparency film
  9. Scan transparencies, negatives, and prints
  10. Adjust images in Photoshop
  11. Manage digital workflow
  12. Input and output digital images from camera to print
  13. Develop a portfolio
  14. Offer constructive criticism
  15. Apply principles of composition and photographic design
  16. Keep accurate records
  17. Recognize and take advantage of the different qualities of light

Attendance

Attendance at school could be compared to a work/client relationship. If you never showed up at work, you couldn't reasonably expect the client or the employer to pay you. Likewise, it would be foolish to think you could earn a degree or get an education by occasionally attending class and turning in all but two assignments. Part of the purpose of this class is to prepare you for the real world and help you become a responsible individual that your clients and employers can trust.

You are responsible for the material you miss if you aren't able to attend class. Keep in mind that if you miss class you may miss out on assignment specifications, random test information, and instruction on how to use the school's photographic equipment. Check the website and then talk to a fellow student to find out the specifics of what you missed. I can give you general information as to what you missed, but, like you, I have a life outside of class, and don't have time to repeat an entire lecture.

Attendance points are given based on the completion of a 15 minute reflection writing completed at the beginning of each non-lab class. Reflections are a chance for you to write down your visual observations, philosophies, and photographic ideas related to the material covered in class and to help you figure out your personal photographic style and vision. The journal will then serve as a source of inspiration for future photographic projects.

Assignments

Just like in the industry assignments should be turned in on time and complete. Since a photographer in the real world can't expect to be paid in full when he or she fails to complete a project or get it to the client on time, neither can you expect to get full points for late or incomplete work, with exception of unforeseen emergencies or illnesses. 15% is automatically deducted from assignments that are turned in late without a valid excuse. These points cannot be regained. There is however, a grace period (Last Chance Deadline - See Calendar) after the assignment due date (with exception of the final assignment) during which time you can re-work any part of the assignment you get marked down on. After the grace period the assignment will no longer be accepted.

Now is the time to learn how to balance your life and try to become a little more organized. This may mean, heaven forbid, watching less TV, going snowboarding only on the weekends, keeping a schedule, or putting off scrapbooking club for a few months.

Class Critiques

Everyone is required to participate in the class critiques. Student's will be expected to use the "Criticizing Photography" handout in the latter critique sessions. This will help class members provide more stimulating and helpful feedback and give you a more sophisiticated approach to anaylzing photographic works.

Tests

There are two tests given throughout the semester. Find ways to apply what you learn so that the material comes second nature. Tests will have common information that any good photographer should know.

Lab Time

You may need to spend 3-5 hours per week outside of class to complete assignments and projects, and study the material. This may vary from student to student and from week to week during the semester. All software packages required for this course are available at the labs. The hours are posted outside the lab doors. As we get further along into the semeter one class per week will be designated as a lab day for you to use to work on assignments.

Grading Scale

The final grade for the course will be based on the accumulation of points:

  1. Projects 80% (800 points)
  2. Attendance/Reflections 10% (100 points)
  3. Tests 10% (100 points)

Grading Percentages

A Above 93%
A- 90% to 92%
B+ 87% to 89%
B 83% to 86%
B- 80% to 82%
C+ 77% to 79%
C 73% to 76%
C- 70% to 72%
D+ 67% to 69%
D 63% to 66%
D- 60% to 62%
E Below 60%

Students Needing Accommodations

Students with medical, psychological, learning or other disabilities desiring accommodations or services under ADA must contact the Disability Resource Center. The DRC determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of these accommodations and services for the college. Please contact the DRC at:

The Student Center, Suite 244, Redwood Campus
4600 So Redwood Rd, SLC, UT 84123
(801) 957-4659 / TTY: 957-4646 / FAX 957-4947
Linda.bennett@slcc.edu

Academic Honesty

This course will strictly adhere to the Student Code of Conduct as well as the “Expectations of Academic Honesty” document published by Salt Lake Community College. For further information, refer to the SLCC home page at www.slcc.edu.

Outcomes in Programs & Courses

SLCC is committed to fostering and assessing the following student learning:

Emergency Evacuation Procedures

In case of an emergency, please walk to the nearest exit, down the stairs (if applicable) and out the Building. Please meet with our class at a safe distance from the exit.

Campus Information

For accurate information concerning school closures (weather, power outages or other emergencies) call 957-INFO or 957-4636.

Visual Art & Design Department Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend all classes in which they are enrolled on a regular and punctual basis. Failure to do so indicates that the student is not serious about his or her education.

If, on occasion, a student must miss class he or she is responsible to acquire notes and assignments from another student. Networking with other students is highly recommended.

If a student has a serious illness or has another valid and compelling reason for being absent more than 20% of the class periods, he or she should talk to the instructor about receiving an "Incomplete" grade. The students should then be prepared to show documentation of the validity of the absences. Work for the class must then be completed within the next year or else the grade will become an "E."

It must be emphasized that domestic problems, job conflicts, other class or schedule conflicts, etc., are not considered valid and compelling reasons for non-attendance. Instructors are not allowed to give an "Incomplete" grade for these excuses.

Students who are absent for more than approximately 20% of the class periods in a semester, and who do not have a valid, documented excuse, will receive an "E" grade for the course. To avoid this the student must officially withdraw from the class in the time frame outlined by the College.

If a student is tardy, it is his or her responsibility to notify the teacher of attendance before the class is over.