ART 151: Photography As Art

Monday/Wednesday 12:00-1:45

Room: AC331

Instructor: Lisa Talbot

Office: TBA | Office Hours:Wednesday 1:45-2:45

Contact:

Fall 2015, 3 units

Course Description

Not available for Art Major credit. Students must provide their own digital camera (SLR or compact digital, manual option strongly recommended). Introduction for non-art majors to the subject matter and aesthetics of photography. Review of artists’ works that have been a major influence in the field and which reflect broader issues in visual culture. Assignments include learning basic camera anatomy, functions, and digital applications. Students need basic working knowledge of computer operation.

Photography as art satisfies the Lifelong Learning section of the General Education program. Lifelong Learning coursework encouragesstudents to develop an appreciation for the importance of the continued acquisition of new and diverse knowledge and skills, and offers opportunities to integrate personal, professional, and social aspects of life. Students will develop cognitive, physical and affective skills that will allow them to becomemore integrated and well-rounded individuals within various physical, social, cultural and technological environments and communities.

General Education Student Learning Outcomes in Art 151:

  • Identify and actively engage in behaviors conducive to individual health, well-being, or development, and understand the value of maintaining these
  • Behaviors throughout the lifespan.
  • Identify and apply strategies leading to health, well-being, or development for community members of diverse populations.
  • Apply the knowledge and skills of science and technology and evaluate how they impact individuals, the community, and/or society.

Arts, Media and Society General Education Path Student Learning Outcomes:

Students enrolled in the GE Paths program explore a special theme or major question from an interdisciplinary perspective in the context of their general

education requirements. Art 151 is part of the Arts, Media and Society Path. See for more information.

  • Students will demonstrate an understanding of the history, criticism and aesthetics of several of the traditional forms of artistic endeavor.
  • Students will be able to write in the critical idiom and discourse regarding one or more art and media modes and practice.
  • Students will demonstrate an understanding of the debates and theories surrounding critical approaches to the relationship amongst art, media and

society along with some of the histories of these debates and relationships.

Art Department Program Goals implemented in Art 151

  • Basic Skills: Develop a foundation of art knowledge, theories, skills, craftspersonship, and technologies, through which ideas and concepts arecommunicated in writing, speaking, and art making.
  • Art Knowledge: Broaden knowledge of ancient through contemporary art and develop an understanding of art within theoretical, cultural, andhistorical contexts.
  • Critical Thinking: Analyze, interpret, and question traditional methodologies and pre-conceived notions of art and art making through the process ofgenerating and solving problems.

Art Department Student Learning Outcomes in Art 151:

  • Understand and apply the elements and principles of design as they relate to photography’s ability to impose a frame upon the three-dimensionalworld and translate it into two dimensions.
  • Basic photography skills: camera anatomy and functions, the relationship among f- stop, shutter speed, and ISO, correct exposure and whitebalance.
  • Elements and principles of two-dimensional design as they relate to photographic compositions.
  • The history of photography and related art historical movements by looking at, evaluating, reading, and writing about other artists’ work.
  • To use this knowledge as a means of communication through self-expression through assignments, discussion, lectures and reading.
  • Analyze photographs, both verbally and written, through critique and self-reflection.
  • Approach image making from a conceptual perspective by using the camera’s frame to create content.

Grading Criteria

This class is graded on a Total Points Method. Class participation, writing assignments on images you find, photo projects and your final will add up to 1,000 points. All assignments will need to be uploaded to Moodle.

Class participation 125 points

Assignments on looking (Each assignment is worth 25 points) 175 points

Photo Projects 1-5 (Each project is worth 100 points) 500 points

Final Project 200 points

Late work: Due to the fact that all assignments build off each other and we critique assignments in class it is important that Photo Projects are not late. Late Photo Projects are automatically lowered by one grade (-20 points). All Assignments on looking will also be graded down for being late.The Final Project cannot be late!

Redoing a project for a higher-grade: Your can redo a total of one Photo Project for a better grade, but it must be turned it in before the next assignment. The Final Projectcannot be redone!

Grading Deductions:

All assignments will be critiqued in class. And all Critiques are mandatory if you are absent from a critique day you will lose 15 points from your assignment. This will be waved if you have a valid excused absence.

If you turn an assignment in late you 20 points will be taken off the assignment. (Equivalent to one letter grade)

What I Expect from All Students:

Attendance Policy: Three tardy arrivals or leaving class early will equal an absence. Three unexcused absences will lower your final grade by 100 points. To get an excused absence you must bring in a doctors not or some other official note explaining why you were unable to come to class. This note must be on the doctors letterhead or some other official letterhead. Work is not a valid excuse to miss class, you need to arrange your work schedule around class time

Class Participation and Behavior

Class Participation is a large part of your grade so please make sure to participate in the class discussions and critiques. Please make sure that you are thoughtful, respectful, and professional when commenting on work, especially on your fellow classmates work.

Please be thoughtful and considerate when talking about others works. Please keep all comments constructive. It is not enough to say, ”I like it” or “I don’t like it.” Think about why you like the picture (or not) and what you think could be improved upon in the future and be prepared to share that.

Cell Phones & Computers

Cell phones are not to be used during class. Please turn your cell phones off (not on vibrate) during class.

Please use your computers in class for class purposes only!

Supplies and Materials:

  • Some form of camera will be necessary for this class. A camera with manual options is strongly recommended but not required. You can use a camera phone if needed.
  • A memory card for you camera
  • Computer Access with Internet.
  • All assignments will need to be turned in via either CD or memory stick and final shots will be uploaded to Moodle
  • Assignments on Looking are to be turned in via the Moodle
  • All written assignments must be typed!

PHOTO PROJECTS: (WORTH 100 POINTS EACH)

Project 1: Light DUE: September 13 by MidnightStart to learn to see how the camera sees. Find moments outside during the day, where you notice how the light falls on a subject or lights up a space. Notice the highlights and shadows; look at how the light changes with the time of day, weather or what is around affecting the light. Turn in 50 shots of light observations. Bring in 2 of your favorites printed at least 4” X 6” to critique. At the end of the class, you will turn in your 2 prints and a CD, memory stick, or proof sheets with all your shots.

Project 2:Color DUE: September 28 by Midnight

Pic a color and create images in which that color is a significant part of the image. Think about how the color effects the composition. Notice how the light shifts colors and how your camera might see them differently than your eye. Turn in 50 images of color observations. Bring in 2 of your favorites printed at least 4” X 6” to critique. At the end of the class, you will turn in your 2 prints and a CD, memory stick, or proof sheets with all your shots.

Project 3:Depth of Field and Motion DUE: October 11 by Midnight

This assignment is meant to start pulling your attention to focus. How does the camera see? Is everything in focus? At what point do things get blurry? How can I control the depth of field? What do I as the photographer want? Are Things moving when I take a picture? How do I as the photographer want to deal with that? Take 50 pictures 25 thinking about depth of field and what you want your viewer to focus on, and 25 thinking about motion in your picture. Have one depth of field shot and one motion shot printed at least 4”x6” to show in critique. At the end of the class, you will turn in your 2 prints and a CD, memory stick, or proof sheets with all your shots.

Project 4: Nighttime Photography DUE: October 25 by Midnight

This assignment is meant for you to get used to dealing with photographing at night. You will need to stabilize your camera in some way, with either a tripod or putting it on a sold surface. You can also adjust your ISO appropriately. This assignment should be creative and fun. Turn in 50 shots of photographs at night. Bring in 2 of your favorites printed at least 4” X 6” to critique. At the end of the class, you will turn in your 2 prints and a CD, memory stick, or proof sheets with all your shots.

Project 5:Portraits. DUE: November 8 by Midnight

Explore how a portrait can be taken to tell the viewer about a person. Try getting close up to the person and also further away to show their environment. Shoot a minimum of 100 shots. You will be presenting in critique a total of 2 different images depicting different styles of portraiture printed 8”x10”. At the end of the class, you will turn in your 2 8”x10” prints and a CD, memory stick, or proof sheets with all your shots.

Final Project: Narrative. DUE: December 1 by Midnight

Shoot minimum of 120pictures. These images should show a narrative of some sort. A narrative tells the viewer a story. This does not mean it has to be a sequential story. Be creative as this is your final project. Your concept needs to be approved by me. You must have a written proposal for this project, which will be due: November 18. I will meet individually with you that day and sign off your proposals with any changes made that day. Your final should be 6 images, size is open but minimum 4”x6”. At the end of the class, you will turn in your 6 prints and a CD, memory stick, or proof sheets with all your shots.

ASSIGNMENTS ON LOOKING: (WORTH 25 POINTS EACH)

Critical thinking, in its broadest sense has been described as "purposeful reflective judgment concerning what to believe or what to do."

For each Photo Project Due you will also have a corresponding Assignment on looking in which you will need to bring in or post to the WORDPRESS site a photograph you found that you like on the topic we are discussing. Please also write a paragraph explaining why you like this picture and how it is relevant to the topic we are discussing. Be prepared to talk about what you wrote in class.

Photo 1 ANY PHOTOGRAPH YOU LIKE Due: August 26 before start of class

Bring in any picture you really like.

In a short paragraph describe the picture and tell me why you like it.

Photo 2 LIGHT Due: September 2 before start of class

Bring a picture that you think the lighting is a significant part of the image.

In a short paragraph answering the following: How does the lighting in this picture make the image stronger? What does the light tell you about this picture?

Photo 3 COLOR Due: September 16 before start of class

a picture that the color stands out to you.

In a short paragraph tell me the following things: How does the color make this picture? How does it effect the composition? How would this picture be different if it had no color?

Photo 4Street Photography (Depth of field and Motion) Due: October 5 before start of class

Bring a photo that is either in focus at one area of the picture only or is in focus throughout the whole image. Bring a photo that is either stopping motion or blurring motion. These pictures should be photographs in the “Street Photography” genre.

Write a short paragraph on each of these images answering the following: How does the focus effect this image? What does the way the action captured tell us about this image? How do these things effect the composition and message of the photograph? How do these images fall into the genre “Street Photography”?

Photo 5 NIGHTTIME Due: October 14 before start of class

Bring a picture that is taken at night.

In a short paragraph tell me how the nighttime aspect of this photo effects what the photographer is trying to say. Describe the picture.

Photo 6 PORTRATURE Due: October 28 before start of class

Bring a photographic portrait, please no snap shots of your family or friends.

In a short paragraph tell me how is this portrait is different than a snap shot? What makes this portrait interesting?

Photo 7 STORYTELLING Due: November 11 before start of class

Bring in a picture or series of pictures that tells a story.

In a short paragraph answer the following: What is the story that you think is being told and what specifically in the picture/s tells you this?

Calendar

Week 1:

Monday August 24:

Go over syllabus.

Introductions.

Slide show introducing photography and the ways we use photographs.

For the next class:

Bring in a photograph you really like and bring your camera if you have one. Reading:

Wednesday August 26:

Talk about photos you brought in. Reading for Roland Barthes: Rhetoric of the Image

Week 2:

Monday August 31

Lecture:The foundation of the photograph:Exposure, metering, lens, and focus.

Introduce Project 1

For the next class:

Bring in a photo that you think the lighting is significant to the message of the image.

Wednesday September 2

Talk about images and light.

Week 3

Monday September 7

Go for a walk looking at light.

Wednesday September 9

Lecture: How does the camera see light? Natural Light a slide show.

Week 4

Monday September 14

Critique project #1

Wednesday September 16

Finish Critique Project #1

Introduce Project 2

For the next class:

Bring in a photograph that color is very important to the composition of the picture.

Week 5

Monday September 21

Look at images students brought on Color

Wednesday September 23

Lecture: Black and White vs Color and thinking about Composition

For the next class:

Assignment #2 Due

Week 6

Monday September 28

Critique project #2

Wednesday September 30

Finish Critique Project #2

Introduce Project 3

For the next class:

Bring in a photograph that you really like that has shallow or deep focus and one that stops or blurs motion and are both in the genre of street photography.

Week 7

Monday October 5

Look at pictures and talk about Depth of Field and Shutter Speed and the street photography genre

Wednesday October 7

Lecture on Street Photography and Depth of Field and Shutter Speed

For the next class:

Assignment 3 Due

Week 8

Monday October 12.

Critique project #3

Wednesday October 14

Finish Critique project #3

Introduce Project 4

For the next class:

Bring in a night shoot that stands out to you.

Week 9

Monday October 19

Talk about night shots you brought in

Wednesday October 21

Lecture: Low light photography, ISO, tripods, and flash

For the next class:

Project 4 Due.

Week 10

Monday October 26

Critique project #4

Introduce Project 5

FRIENDS OR FAMILY!!!

Wednesday October 28

Finish Critique Project #4

For the next class:

Bring in a photograph of a portrait that stands out to you. NO SNAPSHOTS OF

Week 11

Monday November 2

Talk about portraits you brought in.

Wednesday November 4

Lecture: Portraits, what are they and what are their different uses.

What makes an interesting portrait?

For the next class: Assignment 5 Due

Week 12:

Monday November 9

Critique Project #5

Wednesday November 11

Finish Critique Project #5

Introduce FINAL PROJECT

Week 13

Monday November 16

Lecture: photo stories series vs. narratives.

Wednesday November 18

Meet individually to talk about Final Project proposals

For the next class:

Bring in a picture or pictures that tell a story.

Week 14:

Monday November 23

Talk about photos you brought in that tell a story.

Wednesday November 25

Watch La Jete and discuss

Week 15

Monday November 30

Group activity to discuss any last minute editing and story issues.

For the next class:

Final Projects due

Wednesday December 2

Final Project Due

Week 16:

Monday Dec. 7th_ Final Project Critique

Finals Day: TBA

Return all assignments. If you do not show up for final day to pick up work it will be thrown away!!

**ALL PROJECTS, ASSIGNMENTS, AND CALENDAR SCHDUALE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE!