A Photo Teacher |

PHOT 150

© Nikon Film Scanner; Christian Boltanski, Monument – Odessa, 1990 (photographic installation); Enlarger; Deborah Luster, Felton Williams, Angola State Prison, Louisiana, 1999 (contemporary tintype); Lens and Principles of Optics; Helen Levitt, New York, 1945 (clockwise from left to right)

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PHOT 150 | Photography I is an introductory studio course in photography which will concentrate on the conceptual, aesthetic and technical considerations and possibilities of photographic practice. We’ll examine the historical, contemporary and critical issues raised by photographic work with specific attention and discussion on the sociological and psychological implications of the photographic image; the critical discourse of photography in relationship to identity, gender, and cultural considerations; photographic intention and meaning; visual representation as well as the role of aesthetic practice.

Utilizing these discussions to stir an inspiring and thought-provoking forum, you’ll engage these critical considerations within the development of your own photographic practice. As the primary focus of the course is to create photographic work that challenges your conventions of what photography may be for yourself, we’ll spend considerable time and attention making and talking about your own photographs.

This will include instruction on the use of the camera; the possibilities in the use of various materials, including black & white and color film; image processing, Adobe Photoshop; and alternative processes as well as exploring and developing your photographic print making craft in both darkroom and digital environments.

Catalog Description

An introductory course that examines the nature of photographic seeing, and the basic uses of analog and digital photographic materials and processes, including black & white, grayscale, and color. The understanding of photographic language will be explored within the context of the family album, art photography, commercial/advertising photography, photography and media, and cyberspace. Appropriate for students without prior photographic experience, orientation and practice with basic cameras, image exposure methods, image optimization with film processing and digital imaging techniques, and photographic printing practices in both darkroom and digital environments.

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Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)

Create photographs of creative expression that demonstrate the purposeful use of photography’s aesthetic attributes for an effective communication of personal vision, including the use of light, compositional organization, photographic description, emphasis and moments of exposure.

Demonstrate application of photographic tools, materials and processes, including camera controls, image exposure and processing.

Demonstrate application of proper laboratory practices necessary for making and presenting photographic prints of optimum technical quality, craft and professional standards.

Demonstrate application of critical thinking practices in describing, interpreting and evaluating the use of photography as a means of effective creative expression and communication of personal vision.

Assessment Activity: Portfolio and Reflective Self-Assessment Essay

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Course Information and Links for PHOT 150 | Photography I

Click on link to locate information regarding assignments

Scroll down page for detailed semester calendar

Assignments are subject to change and/or modification during the semester

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Critical Issues Responses

#1 – Photographers at Work – Then and Now

#2 – Case Study | Migrant Mother

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Technical Assignments

1 – Printing The Photograph

2 – Putting a Working Process to Practice

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Shooting Assignments

#1 – Why People Photograph

#2 – The Photographic Scene

#3 – Shifting Sites in Photography

#4 – An Adventure in Photography – Initiating A Personal Vision

Final Project -  The Portfolio

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PHOT 150 Spring 2010 Calendar

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:00 – 7:50 pm

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1 | 26 – Tuesday

Introduction to course, discussion of syllabus, course expectations and use of course website

Discussion of Why People (Including Yourself) Photograph

1 | 28 – Thursday

Presentation | Discussion of Photographic Seeing, including Beyond The Surface | Thinking About Photographs and Seeing Photographs

Presentation | Discussion of Why People Photograph (Shooting Assignment)

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2 | 2 – Tuesday

Discussion of The Camera and The Lens | Light, Film and Exposure

Discussion on Digital Image Capture and Digital Cameras

Discussion | Demonstration on Input – Principles of Scanning

Discussion | Demonstration on Digital Image Workflow, Processing and Management

Digital Lab

2 | 4 – Thursday

Introductory Discussion | Demonstration on the Adobe Photoshop Workspace

Discussion | Demonstration on Adobe Photoshop and Image Optimization

Digital Lab

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2 | 9 – Tuesday

Continued Discussion | Demonstration on Adobe Photoshop and Image Optimization

Discussion | Demonstration on Digital Photographic Printing

Digital Lab

2 | 11 – Thursday

Digital Lab

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2 | 16 – Tuesday

Presentation | Discussion of Developing A Working Process

Digital Lab

2 | 18 – Thursday

Presentation | Discussion of The Photographic Scene (Shooting Assignment)

Digital Lab
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2 | 23 – Tuesday

Discussion on Critiques and Criticism – After It’s All Said and Done

Critique of Shooting Assignment | Why People Photograph

Review for Quiz #1

2 | 25 – Thursday

Quiz #1 | Beyond The Surface | Thinking About Photographs | The Camera and The Lens | Input – Principles of Scanning | Adobe Photoshop and Basic Image Optimization | Digital Photographic Printing

Discussion | Demonstration on Developing Film

Discussion | Demonstration on Printing Photographs in the Darkroom

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3 | 2 – Tuesday

Developing The Film | Bring at least one (1) roll of exposed film to class to process

Darkroom Lab

Printing the Photograph | Bring processed film and photographic paper to begin printing

Darkroom Lab

3 | 4 – Thursday

Follow-up Discussion | Demonstration on Printing Photographs in the Darkroom

Discussion of Printing The Photograph (Technical Assignment)

Presentation of Critical Issues Response | Photographers at Work – Then and Now

Darkroom Lab

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3 | 9 – Tuesday

Discussion of “Well-Executed, Poorly Conceived Photographs” (Discussions)

Darkroom Lab

Critical Issues Response due before start of class and Discussion | Photographers at Work – Then and Now

3 | 11 – Thursday

Critique of Technical Assignment | Printing The Photograph

Darkroom Lab
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3 | 16 – Tuesday

Darkroom Lab

3 | 18 – Thursday

Presentation | Discussion of Shifting Sites in Photography (Shooting Assignment)

Darkroom Lab

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3 | 23 – Tuesday

Presentation | Discussion of the Art of Color

Darkroom Lab

3 | 25 – Thursday

Informal Critique of Shooting Assignment | The Photographic Scene

Follow-up Discussion of Shifting Sites in Photography (Shooting Assignment)

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3 | 30 – Tuesday

No Class | School Holiday (Spring Recess)

4 | 1 – Thursday

No Class | School Holiday (Spring Recess)
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4 | 6 – Tuesday

Discussion | Demonstration on Alternative Processes

Alternative Process | Digital Lab

W 4 | 8 – Thursday

Discussion of An Adventure in Photography – Initiating A Personal Vision (Shooting Assignment) and The Portfolio (Final Project Shooting Assignment)

Alternative Process | Digital Lab

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4 | 13 – Tuesday

Alternative Process | Digital Lab

4 | 15 – Thursday

Alternative Process | Digital Lab

Critique of Shooting Assignment | The Photographic Scene

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4 | 20 – Tuesday

Discussion | Demonstration on Print Finishing and Mounting

Presentation of Critical Issues Response | Case Study | Migrant Mother

Darkroom | Digital Lab

4 | 22 – Thursday

Quiz #2 | Developing Film | Printing Photographs in the Darkroom | Print Finishing and Mounting

Discussion of Putting a Working Process to Practice (Technical Assignment)

Darkroom | Digital Lab

Critique of Shooting Assignment | Shifting Sites in Photography
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4 | 27 – Tuesday

Critical Issues Response due before start of class and Discussion| Case Study | Migrant Mother

Darkroom | Digital Lab

4 | 29 – Thursday

Darkroom | Digital Lab

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5 | 4 – Tuesday

Critique of Shooting Assignment | An Adventure in Photography – Initiating A Personal Vision

5 | 6 – Thursday

Technical Assignment due at end of class | Putting a Working Process to Practice

Darkroom | Digital Lab
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5 | 11 – Tuesday

Darkroom | Digital Lab

5 | 13 – Thursday

Darkroom | Digital Lab
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5 | 18 – Tuesday

Darkroom | Digital Lab

5 | 20 – Thursday

Presentation of Final Project Shooting Assignment | The Portfolio
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5 | 25 – Tuesday

No Class

5 | 27 – Thursday

Final Examination | Scheduled from 3:30 – 5:30 pm

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Curriculum Evaluation

Your final grade will be determined by a culmination of points earned based on your performance with the below listed curriculum assignments. Questions regarding curriculum assignment grades and/or the final grade must be brought to the attention of the instructor. To provide equitable instruction for all students while during class hours, please ask questions regarding your grade during instructor office hours or after class.

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Participation and In-class Lab Practice ………………..150………(30 class sessions @ 5 pts each : 1  | 28 – 5 | 20)

Critical Issues Response #1 ……………………………..30

Critical Issues Response #2 ……………………………..30

Quiz #1……..                                 ………………………25

Quiz #2……..                                 ………………………25

Final Exam……..                                  ………………….50

Technical #1……………….                       ………………40

Technical #2……………….                       ………………40

Shooting Assignment #1…………………………………..60

Shooting Assignment #2…………………………………150

Shooting Assignment #3…………………………………..60

Shooting Assignment #4…………………………………100

Final Project……………………………………………….200

……………………………………………………………..960

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Final Grading

Your overall final grading based on points earned will be representative as follows:

A ………..960 – 859

B ………..858 – 763

C ………..762 – 668

D ………..687 – 571

F ………..570 – 0

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