PHOTOGRAPHY• 2014-2015

Daniel Hott

Office Hours: M-Fri 2:15 – 3:00; as needed with an appointment

e-mail:

A) COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will provide an introduction to both Black and White and Digital Photography. In the Black and White portion of the course you will learn the art of B/W photography. You will learn how to use a 35mm SLR camera and how to compose images, process film and create and finish professional quality B/W prints. The Digital portion of the course is designed to develop your skills in pixel based photographic imaging. This will include the effective use of consumer grade digital cameras, compositional considerations and digital image processing using Adobe PhotoShop CS6. In addition to digital and analog imaging, the history of photography, art criticism and critique, and the development of aesthetic judgment will be covered.

B) CLASS GOALS

To successfully complete this course, students will sufficiently develop and demonstrate their capacities for the following:

1)Having a broadened awareness of photography as art, but also as the by-products of the creative processes.

2)Learn to effectively use a digital camera

3)Learn to maximize the quality of the output of digital images.

4)Begin to become proficient at using Adobe Photoshop

5)Learn about the 35mm Camera, Single lens reflex, shutter, aperture, depth of field, how shutter and aperture work together, Filters for black and white film, ISO and film properties

6)Students will learn about printing, including use of the enlarger, set up, timer use, the safelight, enlarging lenses, the test strip, developing procedures, dodging and burning, contrast control, contrast filters.

7)Identification and understanding of the Principles of Organization/Composition/Design.

8)Be creative within assigned project parameters - understand the importance of taking risks and inventiveness.

9)Be active participants in the studio contributing to the creative environment of the entire class. Constructive class participation is a fundamental requirement of Design.

C)Students will be graded on:

  • Film Processing
  • Weekly darkroom grade, student preparation and effective time utilization
  • Individual prints from each assignment
  • Each completed project, with consideration given to creative thought, technical ability, and a demonstration of applied concepts.
  • Written assignments and critiques
  • quizzes and homework assignments used to reinforce and assess the understanding of concepts.
  • Mid-term and final exam

D)Absences: review the absentee policy in your student handbook.

  1. You are responsible for all work missed from valid absences
  2. It is your responsibility to see me immediately upon return about missed work.

E)Tardiness to class:

  1. If you are not in your seat when the bell rings, you will be considered tardy to class.
  2. If you are tardy more than twice (within the first minute of bell ringing and at my discretion) I will assign an after school detention
  3. Repeated tardiness will result in an office referral and a call home to parents.

F)Responsibilities:

  1. You are required to bring a pencil every day. Preparation is part of your “approach to work” grade.
  2. Students should take viable class notes.
  3. Students should utilize in-class time towards the completion of directed exercises and/or assigned projects.
  4. It is expected that you will be prepared for class, work the entire period and complete all work on time. Late studio assignments will receive at least 10% less for each day late.
  5. Homework received one day late will receive at least 10% less creditYou are required to save all of your work for the entire semester including all written work and projects (which help to determine your effort and attitude).
  6. Students should participate verbally in class discussions, critiques and lessons/exercises.
  7. Students should respond with critical observation to their peer’s work as well as their own.
  8. You are responsible for clean up of your assigned area and for tools and materials used during each class and any other assigned task. You will be graded accordingly and assigned extra clean up after school if your responsibilities are not met.
  9. You are expected to minimize loss of class time due to lavatory use. Unless officially documented by the nurse, normal lavatory use is limited to twice per quarter.
  10. You will be charged for damaged of lost materials and books.

G)Equipment and Safety:

Care of tools and equipment is the responsibility of every art student. Misuse of equipment and supplies, or actions deemed to threaten the safety of anyone in the room, will result in possible ejection from class, immediate office referral and parental notification.

Cameras that are loaned to students to be used for photo assignments are the responsibility of the student. Any damage or loss should be reported to me immediately. Students are required to pay for the replacement cost of equipment that is damaged or lost while on loan to them.

H)Materials fees:

  1. Students will be given approx. 4 rolls of film per quarter by the instructor during the B/W portion of the course. Due to a limited film supply, in the event of lost film or excessive blank roll, students will be required to buy replacement film in order to complete their assignment. Students who choose to re-shoot assignments because of poor subject matter would also be subject to a fee to purchase new film.
  2. In both the digital and B/W portion of the course, Specialty Photographic printing paper will be available to the students for no fee.

I)Respect:

Respect for me as the instructor, for yourself, for your peers, and for art equipment are expected in the art department. It is the student’s responsibility to promote a positive, creative, learning experience for all.

J)Class Critique/Self-Evaluation:

Each project will undergo both informal and formal critique.

  • Informal class critique is work in progress critique is a discussion to help objectively evaluate progress on your work. It is a chance to get peer feedback based on the project requirements and allows you to “revisit” your work.
  • Formal class critique is a critique of the final product based on the project parameters. In these objective critiques, critical thinking skills and correct terminology will be employed to help students formulate and articulate their opinions with regards to the success of their work and the work of their peers.

K)Marking: (percentages are approximations)

60%completed class assignments based on:

  1. understanding the concepts presented
  2. quality and finished presentation of assignments
  3. aptness of thought and originality
  4. effective and careful use of materials

30%tests, quizzes, homework, and reading assignments

10%participation (critiques, discussions, homework, preparation for class, clean-up)

L)Content:

It is expected that the film or assignments will contain a variety of images pertaining to the assignment given. Assignments are not to be shot in the school classrooms, cafeteria, or parking lot. In almost all cases images should not be made inside. This will be viewed as lack of effort by the student and graded accordingly. All subject matter for each assignment must be school appropriate and conform to the rules in the student handbook. THE FIRST TIME A CAMERA IS RETURNED LATE A STUDENT WILL RECEIVE A 15 MINUTE DETENTION. AFTER THE FIRST LATE OFFENSE, DETENTION TIME WILL INCREASE IN I5 MINUTE INCREMENTS UP TO 45 MINUTES.

Methods for improving your grade:

-DO THE WORK WELL AND ON TIME WHEN IT IS ASSIGNED! If an assignment receives a low grade or you are not satisfied with the content re-shoot the assignment. (If it is possible within the schedule) The second submission will replace the lower grade.

- Although darkroom or computer grades cannot be made up, print grades can be made up or improved. New grades for reprints that are submitted before grade deadlines for the quarter will replace the first or lower grade.

- THE ONLY WAY TO IMPROVE YOUR GRADE IS TO REPRINT AND/OR RE-SHOOT ASSIGNMENTS OR TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT I ASK OF YOU FOR INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENTS AS THEY ARE DUE. THERE ARE NO EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENTS IN THIS CLASS.

I have read/reviewed the class guidelines, expectations, and grading procedures. I understand there may be times the student might have to purchaseadditional rolls of film. I also understand that the student is responsible for the care of any camera on loan to the student and is responsible for replacement costs of equipment that is lost or damaged while on loan to them.

Student Signature: ______print name______

Date: ______

Parent Signature: ______print name______

Date: ______

L)Content:

It is expected that the film or assignments will contain a variety of images pertaining to the assignment given. Assignments are not to be shot in the school classrooms, cafeteria, or parking lot. In almost all cases images should not be made inside. This will be viewed as lack of effort by the student and graded accordingly. All subject matter for each assignment must be school appropriate and conform to the rules in the student handbook. THE FIRST TIME A CAMERA IS RETURNED LATE A STUDENT WILL RECEIVE A 15 MINUTE DETENTION. AFTER THE FIRST LATE OFFENSE, DETENTION TIME WILL INCREASE IN I5 MINUTE INCREMENTS UP TO 45 MINUTES.

Methods for improving your grade:

-DO THE WORK WELL AND ON TIME WHEN IT IS ASSIGNED! If an assignment receives a low grade or you are not satisfied with the content re-shoot the assignment. (If it is possible within the schedule) The second submission will replace the lower grade.

- Although darkroom or computer grades cannot be made up, print grades can be made up or improved. New grades for reprints that are submitted before grade deadlines for the quarter will replace the first or lower grade.

- THE ONLY WAY TO IMPROVE YOUR GRADE IS TO REPRINT AND/OR RE-SHOOT ASSIGNMENTS OR TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT I ASK OF YOU FOR INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENTS AS THEY ARE DUE. THERE ARE NO EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENTS IN THIS CLASS.

I have read/reviewed the class guidelines, expectations, and grading procedures. I understand there may be times the student might have to purchaseadditional rolls of film. I also understand that the student is responsible for the care of any camera on loan to the student and is responsible for replacement costs of equipment that is lost or damaged while on loan to them.

Student Signature: ______print name______

Date: ______

Parent Signature: ______print name______

Date: ______