Pre-AP Art II Photography

Photography/Digital Imaging Syllabus

Teacher: Mr. Clements

Class Text:

Joyner, Hermon and Monaghan, Kathleen. Focus on Photography. Davis

Publications, 2007.

Digital Software:

Adobe Photoshop CS4

Course description

This class is intended to introduce the beginning photographer to the history of photography, film cameras, darkroom processes, digital imaging, and digital imaging software. The primary instruction will focus on using a digital SLR and manipulating images in Photoshop. An emphasis on solving two-dimensional design issues will also be a part of the curriculum. This type of design involves purposeful decision-making about how to use the elements and principles of art in a cohesive way. Students will be asked to demonstrate proficiency in 2-D design using a variety of art forms such as graphic design, typography, digital imaging, photography, and/or collage by completing mini-concentrations through-out the course. Although this is a photography course, there may be some projects that are not entirely photo based. The purpose of this curriculum is to prepare the Photo 2 student for the Photo 3 and/or AP 2D Design Portfolio course.

Assignments

Students will work diligently on projects and other activities to create a portfolio of work that will include at least 12 quality pieces by May. A portfolio is highly encouraged of each student planning to enroll in the AP-2DD (AP Photo) class. Portfolios will need to be saved to a personal external drive as well as saved on the teacher’s computer or external drive for archival purposes.

Mini-Concentrations

Throughout the school year, students may be given mini-concentrations which are usually made up of 3-4 pieces that are conceptually related and shows growth and discovery. Students should devote considerable time, effort and thought to the investigation of their topic. Work in this area should also reflect conscious use of design elements and principles as organizational factors. Students will work individually to develop his/her mini-concentration idea.

COMPETITIONS

ATPI

The Association of Texas Photography Instructors (ATPI) is a state-wide photography competition open to any student enrolled in a photography course. The competition currently has 30 different categories separated into beginning and advanced divisions. Students must be enrolled in the current school year to compete. Images must be entered in the advanced division if the high school student was enrolled in a high school photography class prior to this school year. Black-and-white and color images will be judged together.

Students may not enter more than three images into any category and should edit entries carefully. Students are encouraged to not enter the same image in multiple categories. The judges tend to judge these photos more harshly. All Photo II students are encouraged to enter this competition, but it is not mandatory. (Minimal entry fee required)

Pre-AP Contract

A Pre- AP Student contract will be distributed at the beginning of the year. This contract outlines all expectations of the Pre-Advanced Placement class. It will need to be signed by the student and his/her parent/guardian and returned to the teacher.

Individual and Class Critiques

Individual and class critiques will be held through-out the year; individual critiques will usually be turned in with the project and class critiques will usually be held within 1-2 days after a project or mini-concentration is due. All students are expected to submit their work for review (finished or not) and actively participate in the critique. Critiques are held for the purpose of evaluation of progress and the proficient use of the art elements/principles in the student work. Critiques are NOT used to ridicule, humiliate or belittle anyone or their work.

Copyright/Plagiarism

All work must be your own. Any photographs used must be composed and taken by the student. You may not use/submit photographs taken by the teacher, another student or another artist. Work based on the work of another artist must not merely duplicate the artist’s work, but be an expression of your own artistic voice.

Attendance and Class Rules

Attendance will be kept and the guidelines set forth by the student code of conduct should be followed. Students are expected to be in school every day. In addition, students are expected to follow the acceptable use guidelines for using school computers and the internet. Classroom guidelines are posted in the classroom. Tardies will be counted.

Grading Policy

Students will receive grades based upon mastery of photographic and art design skills, creativity, and meeting goals. Progress checks will also be given as daily grades. Grades will be given according to district policy, with an earned grade of at least 70 to receive credit for the course. At least six grades will be taken each six weeks. Progress reports will be sent home to the parents of those students who are failing or near failing. Students in a Pre-AP course must maintain a 75 average to remain eligible to stay in the course.

The grade distribution is as follows:

50% Classwork (classwork, critiques, progress)

50% Assessments (projects)

Extra credit

Extra credit assignments are not given. Students that participate in class and complete assignments will be successful.

Make-up work

It is the student’s responsibility to ask for make-up work if he or she is absent. If a student has an excused absence, the student will have one class session for each day missed to make up any work. If an absence is school related (for example, a field trip or sports event), the student will need to complete the assignment while absent and turn the work in upon return to school. In this case, a student may be held responsible for meeting previously set due dates for assignments. Late work will be given a grade no higher than a 70.

*Before/After School Work

Since the introduction of Mega-lunch this year, students will have to have their own transportation or arrange to be picked up if they decide to work after school. The school district will not provide any transportation after school other than the normally scheduled buses. If a student plans to come before or after school, s/he should make arrangements with the teacher as soon as possible. The lab will be shut down by 3:45pm every day if there are no students scheduled to work after school.

COMPUTERS/PRINTERS

The computers are for classroom assignments only. They are not for playing games, watching videos, sports film, checking social media, etc. If a student finishes an assignment early, s/he may use the computer to work on an assignment from another class. The student computers are not connected to any printer. The teacher may (at his discretion) allow a student to print an assignment for another class on the classroom printer; however, if the assignment is more than 1-2 pages s/he may be asked to go to the library to print.

The inkjet printers are for shows and competitions only. Photos will not be printed for personal use on the inkjet printers due to the cost of the paper and ink.

PHONES

Phones are NOT allowed to be used in class to call, text, check/send email or social media, play games, etc. Computers are not to be used to charge phones. Students (with permission from the teacher) may use their phones to upload/send photo(s) for class use or to find a reference image if necessary. Any violation of these rules may result in the phone being seized and turned over to the proper authorities.

MUSIC

Students may listen to music when permission is granted by the teacher. Music MUST be played through headphones/earbuds and not be loud enough to disturb others. Headphones/earbuds are for a single person and may not be shared between two or more people. Headphones/earbuds shall be removed anytime the teacher is addressing the student or the entire class. Any violation of these rules may result in the phone/music player being taken away and music privileges being revoked for everyone.

CAMERAS

We will use digital SLR cameras in the classroom. It is best if you have your own digital camera to use for this class, but it is not required. Just be prepared to share the school cameras with the other students. If you have a camera you would like to use, bring it to class to determine if it is suitable. Students are financially responsible for any loss/damage to any school owned photographic or computer equipment.

LETTER JACKETS

Students are able to receive a letter jacket or “letter” in Photography. At this time, the fine art department is reviewing/updating the qualifications for letter jackets. This update is needed to reflect the changes in the curriculum and competition schedule. Students will still need to take Photo 2 and AP Photo as minimum requirements, but other conditions still need to be determined.


CLASS CALENDAR

The first semester will be spent learning the basic functions of a digital SLR, Photoshop, and the rules of composition by completing teacher assigned projects that emphasize the different design elements and principles. Second semester will be spent increasing skills and knowledge of composition and Photoshop. Remember, you are expected to develop a portfolio of work. Assignments/due dates on this calendar are subject to change. Pay attention in class J.

Breadth / Assignment / Key Areas / Due
Week 1 / Pre-AP expectations and introduction to photography / Various
Week 2 / Camera functions, Photoshop Tutorial / Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO; Modifying selections, cut/paste, scale
Week 3 / Action Photos / Freeze, Blur, Pan Action / Due Friday
Week 4 / Aperture / Depth of Field / Due Friday
Week 5 / Elements of Art / Line, emphasis / Group Critique Friday
Due
Week 6 / Elements of Art / Photoshop tutorial
-Levels / Shape, Texture / Class critique Thurs.
Due Friday
Week 7 / Principles of Art / Phototshop Tutorial / Repetition, Balance, Unity;
Selections, feathering, inverse selections, Gaussian Blur / Individual critiques Wed.
Due Friday
Week 8 / Manual Mode; Exposure / High Key/Low Key / Class critique Friday
Due Friday
Week 9 / Scrolls
Resource artists: Barbara Crane / Rhythm and Line / Individual critiques Thurs.
Due Friday
Week 10 / Combines
Resource artists: Barbara Crane / Texture, shape, form / Class critique Friday
Due Friday
Week 11/12 / Schisms; Mat Cutting and presentation
Resource artists: Barbara Crane / Balance, movement, line, shape / Class critique both Fridays
Due Friday Week 11
Week 13/14 / Photographic Style/Story Book / Art history, illustration, design / Class critique Friday
Due Friday week 13
Week 15/16 / Digital Photo Collage
Resource artist: Maggie Taylor / Space, texture, color, unity, shape, pattern, balance / Individual critiques Wed.
Due Friday Week 15
Week 17 / Ben Heine
Resource artists: Charles Sheeler / Art history, balance, color, value / Class critique Friday
Due Friday
Week 18
Week 19 / CD Cover
Cartoon Cel / Color, emphasis, shape, design, illustration / Due Friday
Due Friday
Week 20 / Replace-a-Face / design, illustration / Progress Check Friday
Week 21 / Surrealism in Photography
Resource Artist: Jerry Uelsman / Art history; balance, unity / Critique Friday
Week 22 / Graffiti Faces / Line, shape, color / Class critique Friday
Week 23 / Exploring a Subject
Resource Artist: Andre Kertesz / Progress Check Friday / 14 image check
Week 24 / Portraits: Positiong a Model / Composition / Individual critique Wed.
Week 25 / Wiindow Light Portraits / Natural lighting
Week 26 / Studio Lighting / Strobe lighting / Class critique Friday
Week 27 / Extremities; Portraits with Props / Composition, lighting; creating mood / Individual critique Thurs.
Week 28 / Zentangle Portraits / Line, shape, pattern, balance / Class critique
Week 29 / Abstract Portraits
Resource Artist: Chuck Close / Color, shape, rhythm, harmony / Class critique
Week 30 / Cartoon Cel / Composition; unity / Class critique
Week 31 / Drawn Over / Line, Shape, Rhythm, Balance
Week 32 / Ambiguous Space
Resource Artist: Rene Magritte / Composition / Class critique
Week 33 / Multi-Me Narratives / Composition / Class critique
Week 34 / Wizard of Oz Poster / Composition, design
Week 35 / Magazine Cover / Composition, design / .
Week 36 / Portfolios due/Recruiting trip / 12 images total

AP Book Resources

Airey, Theresa. Creative Digital Printmaking. Amphoto Books, 2001.

Airey, Theresa. Creative Photo Printmaking. Amphoto Books, 1996.

Barrett, Terry. Criticizing Photographs, 3rd ed. McGraw Hill, 2000.

Busselle, Michael. Creative Digital Photography. Amphoto Books, 2002.

Crane, Barbara, Challenging Vision. University of Chicago Press, 2009.

Frost, Lee. The A-Z of Creative Photography. Amphoto Books, 1998.

Frost, Lee. The Creative Photography Handbook. David & Charles, 2003.

Galer, Mark. Foundations for Art & Design, 3rd ed. Focal Press, 2004.

Gatto, Joseph A., Porter, Albert W. and Selleck, Jack. Exploring Visual Design. Davis Publications, 2000.

Hapkemeyer, Andreas and Peter Weiermair. Photo Text Text Photo. Edition Stemmle, 1997.

Hirsch, Robert and Valentino, John. Photographic Possibilities, 2nd ed. Focal Press, 2001.

Hirsch, Robert. Seizing the Light: A History of Photography. McGraw-Hill, 2000.

Hope, Terry. Still Life: Developing Style in Creative Photography. Rotovision SA, 2001.

Lea, Derek. Creative Photoshop CS4, Focal Press, 2009.

London, Barbara and others. Photography, 8th ed. Prentice Hall, 2005.

Roukes, Nicholas. Design Synectics. Davis Publications, 1988.

Standen, Amy. Maggie Taylor’s Landscape of Dreams. Adobe Press Books, 2005.

Uelsmann, Jerry. Other Realities. Bulfinch Press, 2005.

Wilde, Judith and Richard Wilde. Visual Literacy. Watson-Guptill Publications, 1991.

Worobiec, Tony and Ray Spence. Photo Art. Amphoto Books, 2003.