PGY 3651C-0081Narrative Editorial Photography

University of Central Florida

January12th – May5th, 2017

Tuesday 9:00 AM – 2:50 PM

Gary Dufner, Instructor Phone (407) 906-4906

Office: Building 530, Room232G E-mail:

Daytona Beach Campus Office Hours:

Course Description

This course will explore the use of the photographic image in narrative, (documentary and editorial) form. Story ideas, research and visual execution will be addressed. Students will create text as a companion to their photo essays.

Learning Objective

To gain a working knowledge of the methods involved in creating narrative imagery while creating a cohesive body of photographs that visually describe an event, a place, or a concept.

General Course Objectives

  1. To acquire a broader awareness and understanding of image sequencing.
  1. To explore the work of photographers who utilize the methods taught in this course.
  1. To study and articulate current trends in narrative photography from a variety of perspectives.
  1. To create images that exemplifies the concepts of narrative photography.
  1. To begin to establish your own voice as a creative author of photographic works.
  1. To integrate contemporary methods of information dissemination into the process of storytelling.
  1. To demonstrate the use of creativity and aesthetic judgment in producing work for this course demonstrated by the application of the basic elements of design and composition.
  1. To refine presentation and critique.
  1. To produce a body of work that meets a professional standard of media control, craftsmanship, and aesthetic consideration.

Texts:Witness in Our Time: Working Lives of Documentary Photographers. Ken Light, (Ed). Smithsonian Books, Washington, 2nd ed., 2010. ISBN: 1588342980

In addition there will be readings and images from contemporary journals provided on the course companion website.

Grade Criteria

Participation

A successful class requires the active participation of all members. Active participation involves questioning, making suggestions and stating and supporting opinions, describing, interpreting and creating a dialogue with other students and the instructor. Class meetings will consist of PowerPoint lectures, some video, discussions, group work, and short in-class writing assignments. The class depends on your intelligent contributions, and participation has a positive effect on your grade. To participate in this course you must be prepared. The readings and prompts must be completed before each class session. Come to class ready to engage in discussion. Remain attentive to class activities. Do not distract others or engage in unrelated activities while the instructor and classmates are speaking. Those who repeatedly violate this request will lose course points resulting in a lower course grade.

Attendance

You are expected to attend all lectures and critiques. You may miss two classes without receiving any formal penalty (though it is clearly in your interest to attend every class and participate actively). Excessive absences will result in a reduced grade. More than two missed class sessions one-letter grade, four missed class session’s two letter grades, beyond that failure. Excessive student lateness and/or absences may make it impossible for the instructor to assist students. Legal absences are to be reserved for emergencies and illness. Excessive absences due to illness, family emergencies, etc. can however still result in failure for the course or a reduced grade. Coming to class late or leaving early will count as ½ an absence. Unless absolutely necessary, do not leave early or in the middle of a class. If you must be absent, come prepared to the next session by contacting a classmate to help you catch up.

Use of Personal Electronic Devices in the Classroom

Using personal electronic devices in the classroom setting can hinder instruction and learning, not only for the student using the device but also for other students in the class. Turn off cell phones and other electronic devices and place them out of sight while in the classroom.

Evaluation

Written assignments will be evaluated according to quality, a clear development of the thesis, a clear point of view, argued persuasively, number of sources cited, an adequate number of examples with explanation of how the examples support the thesis, and free of major grammatical and spelling errors. Please see the Rubric for Evaluating Written Submissions.

Photographic assignments will be measured against standards in the photographic profession. Images will be evaluated for the use of emotional and intellectual concepts; clean and concise rendering of the concept; the use of innovation, creativity and aesthetic judgment demonstrated by the application of the basic elements of design, composition and color theory principles; an adherence to professional standards of image output.

All discussions, analysis papers, discussion papers, presentations, and photographs will be assigned a numeric value and graded on a straight percentage scale. Final grade for the term will be calculated on that scale based on a percentage for each assignment.

100% = A + / 96% = A / 93% = A -
89% = B + / 86% = B / 83% = B -
79% = C + / 76% = C / 73% = C -
69% = D + / 66% = D / 63% = D -
59% = F

Be prepared to meet all deadlines. Late assignments will automatically lose a letter grade; one week past due, two letter grades. After that no credit will be given. If extraordinary circumstances have affected your ability to complete your work on time, please see me in advance of the deadline. It is mandatory that you attend the final critique and complete the final project to pass this course. All grades will be posted on the course website.

A — Excellent / Thorough understanding in all technical areas as well as inventive and well executed solutions to all assignments.
B — Good / Above average understanding in all technical areas, most solutions to assignments are thoughtfully executed, some need improvement.
C — Average / Adequate understanding in all technical areas, most solutions do not yield significant interpretation or insight to the problem.
D — Poor / Inadequate understanding in most technical areas, portfolio is incomplete and finished work is mostly of poor quality (out of focus, contrast problems, spots, poor presentation.)
F — Failure / Lack of understanding in all technical areas, portfolio is incomplete and student lacks ability to submit work of any significance or quality.

Incomplete Grades

An incomplete grade will only be given as an exception (illness, family emergency, an unforeseen change in life circumstances, etc.). Additionally, a grade of I may be given only if a student has been attending classes on a regular basis and has completed a majority of the coursework. The request to complete the remaining coursework must be made by the student and agreed to by the instructor. It is your responsibility to arrange for completion of the course and to submit to the instructor all coursework by the agreed upon schedule. According to university policy, any incomplete grade not satisfied by the date published in the term schedule will become an F.

The Assignments

The final course grade will be averaged as follows:

Documentary (Self Directed) 45%

Documentary (Assigned) 15%

Class Presentations10%

Research Project10%

Readings/Quizzes10%

Participation10%

Submit printed course material in an appropriate protective container with your name on it. Enclose CD's in a case. Label your assignments with the appropriate title, and your name. Don't assume I know what you are turning in.

Keep a notebook for course handouts and class notes. Course materials and assignment instructions will be discussed in-class. Additional materials will be posted on the course website.

There will be scheduled in-class critiques of your work in-progress during the semester. You must participate in all of the class critiques to receive a satisfactory grade on your photography projects and participation. A schedule will be provided.

Documentary Narrative Projects (60%)

You are required to plan and produce three documentary photo projects. Two projects are smaller and focused projects and one is a larger self-directed assignment that should be worked on throughout the semester.

15% - Project one will consist of 10-12 final photographs. The topic for this project will be provided to you. The photographs should, together, present the uninitiated with an understandable, engaging, ‘picture’ of your subject. The project is due on February 10thand must be printed in a finished form for critique. As a group we will choose one of the prints for inclusion in a group portfolio to hang in a display case. You will need to print and matt this image at 16”x24” by February 17th. Submit a CD / DVD to the instructor of all the finished images at mid-term. No low-resolution image please.

45% - Project three is a full semester project and will consist of 15-25 photographs, an essay of explanatory text that is no less than 500 words, and a short artist statement about the work. You may select your own topic – subject to instructor approval. Like the first project, the text and photographs should, together, present the uninitiated with an understandable, engaging, ‘picture’ of your subject, but note that the writing and the photographs should each stand on their own. The project is due on the day of the final which is May 5th and must be printed in a finished form for critique. Submit a CD / DVD to the instructor of the finished images on the day of the final. No low-resolution image please.

Bring subject ideas to class on January20th for discussion. Finalize and submit a proposal, outlining your idea for the narrative project to the instructor by January 27th. You are expected to keep notes for your project, (meetings, conversations, impressions, names of subjects, contact information etc.) This will help you when composing your essay.

Critiques will be scheduled throughout the semester. Be prepared to present work every other week (you will be in group A or B). You will be working on the final project throughout the semester and will present new work every other week on that project (not on project 1 or 2). Work prints are ok for the critiques. Digital files presented on the projector are acceptable for critiques as well.

Research Project (10%)

You will develop a short paper around issues and themes that are relevant to your photo documentary project. The paper should stand on it’s own in telling a part of the story you are documenting. For instance if you are photographing homeless people you might write a paper describing the economic, geographic, or demographic trends which are influencing the homeless population. If the photographs document just one family you might choose to do a Question and Answer essay. You might also want to reference readings and your knowledge of the history of documentary photography, create a750-1000 word essay on one of the provided topics. Project guidelines and paper format expectations are posted on the course site. The project due date is March 24rd.

In-class Presentations (10%)

You will participate in in-class presentation(s). The project(s) will involve photographers from our text. These will be assigned. Materials for these projects will be posted on the course website. Read the text. You are expected to research, outside of class, the chosen photographer(s). Attempt to understand them as thoroughly as possible. You will present to the class the interesting information you’ve discovered about their work and life. These presentations will be the basis for our in-class discussions.

Readings (10%)

The text and a variety of articles provided to you during the semester will be assessed by a small amount of on-line written reflection (quizzes) or in-class prompts. The articles will be handed out and/or provided online at the appropriate time. All of these must be completed prior to the scheduled class discussion for credit and will not be accepted late. It’s important that you read the material before coming to class so that you may adequately participate in class activities.

Participation (10%)

Your personal contribution to class is taken into consideration and you will be assigned a participation grade (using the 100-pt scale) at the end of the semester. Please note that this grade is cumulative and can vary from 0-100 (50 being an average grade) don’t expect 80-90 points unless you are participating in a majority of classes. Factors taken into consideration: Regular attendance. Being on time. Staying for the full class. Completion of assignments on time. Willingness to participate in class discussions, with ideas & opinions that will promote discussion. Level and quality of in-class assignments and prompts.

Note: Modification of the assignments and schedule is sometimes warranted. The instructor reserves the right to change work requirements and this schedule as necessary. It is the student’s responsibility to make note of these changes. Any changes will be discussed in-class.

Assessment Rubric for Class Participation

Distinguished
9-10 points / Very Good
7-8 points / Satisfactory
5-6 points / Unsatisfactory
0-4 points
  • Attends all but one or two class sessions.
  • Always well prepared for class. Evident that individual has completed all reading assignments prior to class.
  • Exhibits positive, supportive attitude toward course and class members.
  • Consistently contributes to class discussion.
  • Consistently contributes to in-class activities.
/ Participation is as good as one receiving a distinguished rating, but one or two elements are not quite a distinguished level. / Participation is generally similar to one receiving an unsatisfactory rating, but there are one or two elements which are relatively well done. /
  • Does not attend class on consistent basis.
  • Never prepared for class. Evident that individual has not completed reading assignments prior to class.
  • Exhibits negative attitudes toward course and class members.
  • Does not contribute to class discussions or in-class activities.

Submitting Written Materials

Please adhere to the following guidelines when preparing and submitting written materials:

  • Format all papers with a one-inch margin all around, double spaced and 12-point type.
  • Word count is the body of the paper and does not include the required annotated bibliography and any other support materials.
  • Follow the MLA writing style.

Please see the Rubric for Evaluating Written Submissions included in this syllabus. In addition see the specific instruction provided with each assignment.

The Research Project and the Documentary Essay’s must be submitted to the turnitin.com website as well as to the instructor as a hard copy. Information for the tunitin.com site is as follows:

  • Class ID — XXXXXXX
  • Class enrollment password — XXXXXXXXX

Academic Honesty Policy

Those who cheat in any way primarily cheat themselves; but they also compromise the academic climate for all members of the University of Central Florida. Cheating and plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated, and will be subject to appropriate referral to the UCF Office of Student Conduct for further action. Please note that self-plagiarism (using work completed in other classes while at UCF or at any other institution) is not acceptable. You may not use work produced for another course, for credit in this class. You may not use work produced in this class for credit in another course. You may not use work produced for-hire as assignments. Cheating and plagiarism of any kind will result in an F for the assignment and may, depending on the severity of the case, lead to an "F" for the entire course. As a result of academic misconduct an appropriate grade will be assigned to a student that is preceded by the letter Z. The student could receive a zero for the assignment, resulting in the lowering of the final grade (e.g. ZA, ZB, etc…), or an F in the course (ZF).

Academic integrity will be appraised according to the student academic behavior standards outlined in The Golden Rule of the University of Central Florida’s Student Handbook. See for further details.

I will assume for this course that you will adhere to the academic creed of this University and will maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. I will also adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity, so please do not ask me to change (or expect me to change) your grade illegitimately or to bend or break rules for one person that will not apply to everyone. Do not ask the instructor for extensions that give you advantages over classmates.

Disability Statement

The University of Central Florida is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. Students who need accommodations must be registered with Student Disability Services before requesting accommodations from the professor.

  • UCF Orlando campus, Ferrell Commons, Bldg. 7F, Room 185.
  • Phone (407) 823-2371
  • TTY/TDD only phone (407) 823-2116.
  • Email

Rubric for Evaluating Written Submissions

Criteria for an A range grade: / Writing is clearly organized. Each paragraph relates to others in a well-organized manner. Word usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation are excellent. All sources are cited correctly and thoroughly. MLA style is used throughout. The paper is the appropriate length, double-spaced, with 1” margins. Pages are numbered throughout. Concepts are clearly and thoroughly expressed. Analysis is logical and thorough. A theoretical position is thoroughly explained and applied correctly to the subject. Specific information from the readings is incorporated into the analysis and critique.
Criteria for a B range grade: / Writing is organized. Each paragraph for the most part relates to others in a well-organized manner. Good use of wording, few spelling, grammatical, and punctuation mistakes. The majority of sources are cited correctly and thoroughly. MLA style is used throughout. The paper is the appropriate length, double-spaced, with 1” margins. Pages are numbered throughout. Concepts are clear and expressed thoroughly for the most part. Analysis is for the most part logical and thorough. A theoretical position has been expressed and applied to the subject. Majority of information from the readings is incorporated into the analysis and critique.
Criteria for a C range grade: / Writing demonstrates sufficient organization. Identification of the central theme may be difficult in some paragraphs. The paper contains an adequate use of wording, grammar, and punctuation. Errors are not excessive. All sources are cited, the majority cited correctly. MLA style is used throughout. The paper is not quite the appropriate length. Margins may be larger than 1”. Pages are numbered. Concepts are expressed clearly in most cases but are not expressed thoroughly. Analysis may be flawed in some areas. A theoretical position has been expressed and applied to the subject, but not sufficiently. Majority of relevant course material is used.
Criteria for a D range grade: / Writing is rambling and unfocused. Coherence between paragraphs is almost non-existent. Writing is poor. There are significant deficiencies in word use, grammar, and punctuation. Not all sources are cited. MLA style is used only inconsistently or not at all. Paper is not the appropriate length, or is not double-spaced. Margins may be larger than 1”. Page numbers are missing. Concepts are unclear. Analysis is minimal or absent. A theoretical position is poorly explained and applied incorrectly. Minimal course material is used.
Week / Date / Activity / Assignments
Week 1 / 1/13 / Introduction—syllabus
What is Narrative Editorial? / Documentary projects
Documentary photographers—bring in two examples for next week—url’s /books.
Week 2 / 1/20 / Photojournalism & Documentary Survey…
Documentary Photographer Presentations (Bring in 2) / Final projectideas (3 ideas to discuss in-class).
Final project proposal turned in on-line before class on 1/27
Read Online Article: Flickering Out
Before Class: Complete on-line quiz and survey.
Week 3 / 1/27 / Artist Presentations
The altered landscape project introduction
Critique (Group A) / Before Class: Complete on-line quiz
Read: Witness in Our Time Book(WOT: Bill Owens, David Goldblatt)
Online Readings: The Altered Landscape
Artist Presentations: Ansel Adams, Edward Burtynsky, Richard Misrach, Andres Gursky
Week 4 / 2/3 / Witness in Our Time - discussions.
Artist Presentations
Critique (Group B) / Before Class: Complete on-line quiz
Read: WOT: Hansel Mieth
Online Readings: FreilandersStyle.pdf
Artist Presentations: Lee Freidlander, Robert Adams, Garry Winogrand, Brian Ulrich
Week 5 / 2/10 / Critique Assigned Documentary Project
(10-12 prints 8.5”x11”)
Witness in Our Time - discussions.
Discuss Group Documentary Project
Week 6 / 2/17 / 1 Large Matted Print to Hang from Critique
Witness in Our Time - discussions.
Critique (Group A) / Before Class: Complete on-line quiz
Read: WOT: Michelle Vignes, Wayne Miller, Peter Magubane
Week 7 / 2/24 / Witness in Our Time - discussions.
Critique (Group B) / Before Class: Complete on-line quiz
Read: WOT: Mary Ellen Mark, Eugene Richards, Susan Meiselas, Sebastiao Salgado
Week 8 / 3/3 / Artist Presentations
Critique (Group A) / Before Class: Complete on-line quiz
Read: WOT: Graciela Iturbide, Donna Ferrato, Davanita Singh, Peter Howe
Week 9 / 3/10 / Critique GroupDocumentary Project
Week 10 / 3/17 / Artist Presentations
Critique (Group B) / Before Class: Complete on-line quiz
Read: WOT: Colin Jacobson, Ann Wilkes Tucker
Week 11 / 3/21 / Critique (Group A)
Artist Presentations / Before Class: Complete on-line quiz
Read: WOT: Larry Fink, Fred Richin
Week 12 / 3/24 / Research Project Due
Week 13 / 3/31 / Critique (Group B)
Week 14 / 4/7 / Critique (Group A)
Week 15 / 4/14 / Critique (Group B)
Week 16 / 4/21
4/28 / Lab/ Work Day
UCF Finals Study Day - No Class
Week 17 / 5/5 / Final Critique Self-Assigned Project (15-25 Prints)

Course Schedule - Fall 2012