Photography – 2011-2012
Instructor
Mr. Eric Scott
Description
Photography is an introductory course that will focus on the use of both film and digital cameras with an emphasis on taking quality photographs. Basic black and white techniques including film processing and darkroom work will be explored with the single lens reflex film camera. Digital techniques will also be explored with an introduction to Adobe Photoshop.
Required Materials
Each Photography student is required to have the following materials everyday in class:
- Sketchbook – minimum size: 8x10 inches, maximum size: 11x14 inches
- Graphite Pencil at least 2HB
- Black Ink Pen – Waterproof or Water-resistant; Uni-ball Vision Pen or similar type
- White Vinyl Eraser
- Large Glue Stick – UHU brand is recommended
- 1/2 inch 3-ring Binder
All required materials are due: Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Cameras
Students are not required to have a single lens reflex camera (a 35mm film camera) or a digital camera. There are a limited number of school cameras available for student use. However, it is highly recommended that students use any camera from home to which they may have access, especially digital cameras. This insures greater access to cameras for all students, and allows students to gain experience and familiarity with cameras to which they have access. Please bring any camera that you plan to use every day to class, especially a digital camera.
Class Overview
First Quarter – Basic Concepts – the Camera and the Darkroom
Emphasis for the first quarter will be placed on basic photography concepts with focus on the history and science of photography, taking quality pictures, and using the various cameras and the darkroom.
Second Quarter – Beyond the Basics
Emphasis for the second quarter will be placed on the continued development of camera and darkroom skills. Focus will be placed on utilizing the camera functions and taking quality images.
Passes and Leaving the Art Room
In accordance with SBHS Policy students will not be issued passes for the first and last twenty (20) minutes of class. This includes but is not limited to using the restroom, going to lockers, going to the nurse (unless an emergency), and going to see another teacher. All students must have a properly filled out and signed SBHS agenda/planner in order to leave the art room, and passes are limited to the number of spaces within the agenda/planner – seven (7) per semester. Passes written on scraps of paper or written in the wrong period or semester will not be accepted.
Grading
Quarter Grades
Portfolio – 40% of quarter grade
All class projects, the visual journal, independent projects, and homework will be informally assessed throughout the quarter as well as formally as part of a Portfolio Review at the end of the quarter. See the Project section below for further information. All projects will be assessed together in a portfolio and are generally evaluated on the following criteria:
- Quantitative
- Craftsmanship
- Composition
- Creativity
- Concept
- Commitment
- Growth
Participation – 30% of quarter grade
Students earn six (6) participation points each week. If a student is absent, he or she is responsible for making up the time and the missed work. Points will be deducted for the following reasons:
- Excessive Talking
- Horse Play or Fooling Around
- Sleeping
- Reading
- Inappropriate Use of Computer
- Completing Work for Other Classes
Skills – 10% of quarter grade
Students will be assessed on how well they have mastered the skills that have been taught throughout the quarter, and generally, will be assessed once or twice a week. Students who do not show complete mastery of a skill may re-demonstrate the skill at anytime during the quarter. This will provide the teacher, student, and parent with on-going feedback.
Classwork and Homework – 10% of quarter grade
Students will have a variety of classwork, assessments, reflections, and homework to hand in throughout the quarter. This work will be assessed on the completion and depth of response.
Tests and Quizzes – 10% of quarter grade
Occasionally tests and quizzes are given to check the learning of students. All tests and quizzes will be open-notes.
Projects
Because of the nature and limits of the darkroom and computers, Photography is designed to have multiple projects going on at any one time. It is your responsibility to stay on top of all these projects and to turn them in for your portfolio review. Projects will consist of photographs – film and digital, journal assignments, group and individual projects.
All projects, including visual journal assignments will be turned in at the end of the quarter in the form of a digital portfolio. All darkroom and journal work will need to be scanned and/or photographed. More information on the digital portfolio and how it will be assessed will be covered in the near future.
The Visual Journal
You are required to keep a visual journal in art, sculpture, and photography class. This is much more than a sketchbook or notebook. It is a record of your life, thoughts, and questions.
What is the visual journal? The visual journal is the record of your journey through this class and it documents your thought process. You are required to use a sketchbook as a visual journal, and it may be a hardbound or spiral bound sketchbook with a minimum of 100 pages (50 sheets).
Minimum Size – 8 x 10 inchesMaximum Size – 11 x 14 inches
How do you use the visual journal? Bring your journal to every class; you will use it almost every day. You will draw in it to improve your observation skills. You will take all of your class notes in your journal. You will plan and sketch most projects in your journal documenting your thought process as you work. You will reflect verbally and non-verbally in your journal on your work and your life. You will explore independent themes, concepts, and ideas that you want to explore. The visual journal is a place to explore, experiment, discover and play. The key is to be open to new ideas and to document everything.
- Use it every day (even if it is just for 5 minutes).
- Take it everywhere (have a small, portable kit of materials).
- Write in it (reflect on you day, write about your art, use random words).
- Ask questions in it (about yourself, about your work, about your life).
- Draw in it (doodle, draw random lines and shapes, practice you observation skills).
- Paint in it (prepare pages with watercolor, go back and add paint to drawn pages).
- Glue stuff in it (save stuff from your everyday life – movie stubs, receipts, cards, stickers, wrappers, etc).
How do you organize your visual journal? This is truly up to you, but a well-organized journal will allow you to access notes and information covered in class.
Suggested Organization:
1. Divide your journal into sections. You may want to use index tabs to divide your sections.
- Notes – There are a lot of concepts and ideas covered in these art classes, and having well-organized, easy-to-find notes is essential. All quizzes and tests will be open-notes.
- Classwork – You will work on various activities in class, and these must be included in your journal. Glue in all handouts and assignment sheets.
- Assignments – You will be given several journal assignments each quarter to explore concepts and personal meaning in photography.
2. Have a pocket to keep all loose materials. Some sketchbooks have a pocket, but if yours does not, make one. Use a piece of drawing paper, a large manila envelope, or cut a page in half.
3. Have a calendar that is easily accessible to keep track of due dates, dates for quizzes and tests, and all other important dates. Draw or glue in a calendar. Glue in the list of dates.
How are the visual journals graded? You will have several specific assignments to complete that you will turn in as part of your portfolio at the end of the quarter. You will need to scan or photograph these journal spreads and place them in your digital portfolio.
Stone Bridge High School
43100 Hay Road
Ashburn, Virginia 20147
(571)-252-2200
Art Media Release
Parent Permission Form-
Student Artwork
______
Name of Student (please print)
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Name of Art Teacher(s) (please print)
Please check one.
I give permission:
I do not give permission:
for my child’s (named above) artwork to be displayed and published publicly in a manner as to promote the visual art programs of Stone Bridge High School and Loudoun County Public Schools. I understand that my child’s artwork may be displayed within the school, within the community, within the county, or on school sponsored or approved websites. I also understand that my child’s artwork may be published in newsletters, pamphlets, and brochures as a way to feature the accomplishments of the young artists at SBHS.
______
Name of Parent/Guardian (please print)
______
Signature of Parent/Guardian
______
Email of Parent/Guardian (please print)
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Date