DAY 1 – Handouts - Syllabus

INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOGRAPHY

Photo-50 , T,TH 12:30 to 3:20pm

Instructor: Randall Chambers

Office: TBD

Email: rchambers@ivc.edu or fotoone1@yahoo.com

Office Hours: TBD

 

Catalog Description

This course presents the basic techniques of producing black and white still photographs with artistic and technical value. Emphasis is placed on developing aesthetic sensibility and on mastering the mechanical principles of the camera, elementary lighting and basic darkroom technique. In-class discussions and critiques of creative projects are designed to foster the student's visual awareness. The course explores the role of the photographic image in the visual arts and in our perception of events and culture.

Learning Objectives

1. Produce black and white photographic prints that apply intermediate principles of composition.
2. Evaluate the creative photographic works of others.*
3. Identify camera types and uses.
4. Use various lenses to produce desired effect.
5. Prepare photographs for final presentation.
6. Properly expose photographic materials, film and paper.
7. Process for special effect.
8. Alter an image to create further interest.*
9. Study, create, evaluate, and analyze trends, theories and
concepts in the field of Photography.*

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS

1) Attendance. Students are required to attend all classes and be on time. You are

allowed three unexcused absences for the course without penalty to your final grade.

They cannot be on a critique days, unless one has an emergency. Be advised that after

the third unexcused absence, a full a letter grade will be subtracted from your final

course grade. For each subsequent unexcused absence, a half letter grade will be

subtracted until you will automatically receive a failing grade.

2) Completion of all weekly assignments and projects. Weekly, you will receive

class assignments, projects and schedule updates. There will be a handout for each

assignment and project that will detail the ideas and techniques, involved in each

project/assignment. There will be time for class discussion after each

project/assignment is given. If you miss a class, lecture, or demo, you are still

responsible for the material you missed. All work must be adequately completed and

turned in on time to receive a passing grade. If projects/assignments are turned in late

a half letter grade will be subtracted from the project/assignment for each missing class

period up to two weeks. After two weeks you will receive an "F" on the Project but the

work must still be turned in to have a chance to pass the course. If any work is missing,

regardless of the quality of the other work completed in the course, a failing grade for

the course will be given.

3) Average of at least one roll of film per week.

4) Contact sheets for each project.

5) Critique Notes – Total of 4 critiques

6) Contribution to class discussions, critiques, and lab sessions. The success of your

learning (as well as your grade) depends on your class involvement! That means that I

expect a high level of class participation, dedication, and, above all, you must talk and

discuss in class. There is no way to avoid this and a great deal of your grade depends

upon this specific requirement. I am very passionate about photography and have high

standards and expect a full effort from all of you.

7) Final project (6-10 prints that will form part of your final portfolio).

8) Exam and quizzes - Each Quiz is at the end of each Open Lab Day

9) Notebook - Consists of all notes from assignments; technical and creative idea

notes

 

It is always the student's responsibility to withdraw officially from classes. In no case should

Students presume they have been dropped by the instructor.

 

TEXT

London, Upton, Stone, Photography, ANY EDITION

(Prentice Hall/Pearson Education)

 

Additional References:

London, Barbara & Jim Stone, A Short Course in Photography, sixth edition (New York:

HarperCollins College Publishers, 2001)

 

Mora, Giles, Photo Speak (Abbeville Press; 1st ed edition (March 1998)

 

Johnson, Chris, The Practical Zone System (Focal Press, 1999)

 

Stone, Jim , A User's Guide to the View Camera (Harper Collins, 1987)

 

Grading

Final grades will be based on the sum of a student's technical and aesthetic performance/progress throughout the semester along with 2 written examinations.

For every assignment, you will be graded on these three criteria: the first will be based

on how developed your concepts and ideas are, second is for technical merit, and

third is for aesthetic merit.

 

 

All work must be submitted for critique and grading on the date due. Late assignments

will be graded down one letter grade for each class period missed. A rough breakdown

of the final grade is as follows:

25% - Text examinations, reading and assignments, quizzes, and participation

in class discussions, critiques and Attendance

40% - Studio projects: overall quality of your work, with regards to idea, execution,

effort, and improvement. (all work completed prior to final project)

35% - Final project (assignment of student's own design)

 

All work can be resubmitted for an increase of maximum of one letter grade only if it was submitted on due date. All late work does not qualify for re-do unless previously discussed.

Instructor reserves the right to change syllabus and projects as needed.

 

Please Note:

Students are expected to attend lab at the assigned time even if it is an open lab day. It is to your advantage to plan work for the class period so that you can get personal attention. Each student is expected to meet with me individually at midterm and review your performance and progress in the course. Attendances at critiques are mandatory. If you miss a critique, your grade will be dropped a full letter grade. Even if your assignment is not finished, it is important to the group that you attend. If you know that you must miss a critique, please discuss it with me in advance so we can make other arrangements.

 

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS WARNING!

Students should be aware that prolonged exposure to various photographic chemicals

may be harmful, especially during pregnancy. If you become pregnant please notify the

instructor of the course and safety procedures specific to pregnancy will be discussed

and must be observed. Always use tongs and rubber gloves when processing or toning

prints. Avoid skin contact with photographic chemistry. Wash your hands thoroughly

with soap and water whenever they become contaminated. Follow all health and safety

procedures guidelines posted in the darkroom and on each piece of equipment in the

photography area. Spray adhesives are not recommended for securing or mounting

photographic materials and they may not be used within the art center facilities'

interior or exterior spaces.

 

PROJECTS

15 total weekly assignments

Project #1 – Due Feb 5 2009

Project #2 – Due March 5 2009

Project #3 – Due April 16 2009

Project #4 Final Project– Due May – finals day.

Material List

Camera

Any 35 mm with 50mm or 55mm lens camera with an ability to set it on manual – no auto anything in this

class.

Shutter release cable (optional)

Tri-pod for the camera or a way to keep it steady for long exposures.

Light meter, in camera or hand-held.

 

Acceptable Film types for class

125 or 100 asa Black and white film Plus X, Illford or Arista professional films

100 – Fuji

No other films should be used in this class. You can experiment with them but please talk to me first.

 

Photographic Paper

Black and White Multi-contrast RC paper

Ilford and AGFa are the most common

Suggestions on Ilford are Pearl or a Semi-Gloss. Glossy is acceptable too.

Do not get any cool or Warm Tone papers.

 

Paper comes in a variety of amounts and end up being less in bulk

 

Other Required Supplies

1. Negative Cleaner (optional)

2. Marker, such as Sharpie or Marks-a-lot.

3. Negative Sleeves (five negatives across)

4. 3 ring binder for negatives

5. 1 notebook of any kind for photographic notes

6. Matt Board – White only

7. Tissue Mount

8. Spotting brushes and ink (optional)

9. Negative Cleaner and cotton tips (optional)

10. Blotter book (optional) –

11. Q-tips.

12. Some type of portfolio case to store finished work.

13. Darkroom apron/old long-sleeved shirt (also for health and safety).

14. Canned Air with nozzle or straw. (optional)

 

Photographic Suppliers

 

FreeStyle

 

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/

Orders & General inquiries 1-800-292-6137 (within North America)

1-323-660-3460 (international)

Toll Free Fax 1-800-616-3686.

Freestyle Photographic Supplies

5124 Sunset Blvd.

Hollywood, CA 90027

United States

 

Fotohall

http://www.foto-hall.com/Home_Header.htm

North Orange County's Photographic Solution

601 North Placentia Ave., Fullerton CA 92631 (MAP)

Phone: 714-996-1330 | Fax: 714-996-3140

Store Email: lab@foto-hall.com

 

Calumet Santa Ana

Manager: Mikel van den Haak

Address: 1430 S. Village Way, Suite A

Santa Ana, CA 92705

Phone: 714-285-0143

Fax: 714-285-1650

Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m

http://www.calumetphoto.com/