PHOTO 1 COURSE SYLLABUS
Sheldon High School
Instructor: Nikki Pahl8333 Kingsbridge Drive Sacramento, CA 95829  website with information at huskyphoto.blogs.com e-mail:  Grade 9,10,11,12Credit 5units x 2 semesters

YOU MUST HAVE:

  1. YOUR OWN DIGITAL CAMERA (NOT A CELL PHONE CAMERA)
  2. A 4 GIG FLASH DRIVE
  3. ORDINARY SCHOOL SUPPLIES

OBJECTIVE OF CLASS: Make a portolio of photographs that show photography skills, subject treatment, and personal interpretation.

Work: Adequate time is given to students to do work in class.

Homework: All photo assignments need to be shot at home and sometimes require short distances of travel. If your student is not photographing assignments every week they will NOT be successful in this class. Expect your student to take 25-50 shots for each assignment and edit out the weak work.

Students will be photographing off-campus for the many of their assignments Be sure to discuss safety concerns with students when they are on a photo assignment. Students are given a list of assignments to be photographed for 18 weeks if they wish to plan ahead. Students will have more fun if they form a small group to meet after school or on weekends. This can be a solution for students who have camera problems as well.

What you will learn:

  • Produce a portfolio
  • How cameras work, including aperture, shutter, ISO
  • Darkroom
  • Genres of portrait, landscape, still life
  • Keeping an artist’s journal
  • Basic Photoshop
  • Art Criticism
  • Composition, rule of thirds and the elements and principles of art
  • An introduction to the history of photography and important photographers and artists
  • Read photographs and write about them
  • A chance to teach the class about an important photographer (research and oral presentation)
  • Oral Critiques
  • Lighting techniques
  • Cropping
  • And more!

Homework:

Students need to be photographing for an hour a week. On page 4 a table of contents will give the overview of assignments. Plan ahead. For each theme, students need to provide at least 25 strong interpretations. Work done in previous years does not count.

It should be obvious, but only work that the student him/herself takes is acceptable.

What you will make in photography

  • Option 1

A hard copy professional 44 page portfolio filled with photographs that you have taken ($40.00 project fee for chemicals, photo paper, materials and digital prints)

Item / Portfolio / $10.00
Projects 1-44 / $ .82 each
Total / $40.00
  • Or Option 2 (Pay as you go ON YOUR OWN)

The exact same portfolio that you produce at your own expense ( no project fee). You need to buy a 44 page portfolio with clear sleeves similar to the Itoyo 8 1/2 x11 ( University Art on J or mail order)

  • All prints must be black and white 5x7 at 300 dpi unless otherwise specified.

Rules

Daily attendance on time everyday

Respect classroom environment. This is school.

Plan ahead and come prepared ready to work.

Detention will be assigned when students are out of compliance to school expectations.

Grades:

  • Grades are based on a combination of daily attendance, participation, quizzes, assignments and the portfolio work.
  • I reserve the right to ask a student to rephotograph an assignment when it does not meet the standards of class. Example: out of focus photographs are not graded.
  • Photographs need to meet the objective of the assignment.
  • All photographs that are turned in need to be the taken by the student during the semester they are enrolled in class.

  • Percentage
/
  • Grade

  • 90%-100%
/
  • A

  • 80%-89%
/
  • B

  • 70%-79%
/
  • C

  • 60%-69%
/
  • D

  • Below 60%
/
  • F

This class cannot access egrades due to old style computer software in the photography room. Students will get hardcopy grades every grade period. Ask to see them.

Resources:

  • The Photo 1 text is The Photographic Eye. We have a class set available in the classroom, but students can check out a copy in the library to keep at home.
  • We use a variety of other texts and the classroom library, as well as Internet research, articles and handouts.
  • We will watch documentary films on famous photographers and tutorials.
  • There is an EGUSD board approved film based on the life of Arthur Fellig (known as Wee Gee) that is rated R called The Public Eye. Please leave a comment on the syllabus signature page if you wish your student to opt out and go to the library that day (they can do a research assignment during that time.
  • Parents and students should use my blog huskyphoto.blogs.com to find out what photograph assignments are coming up as well as ongoing journal work that is self-paced for completion

Standards:

This course will incorporate the following state and district standards for art and photography, which will include the study of photo history, art criticism, aesthetics, and technique:

  • The student will identify visual structures and functions of art, using the language of the visual arts. As photographers say, it is important to "learn to see."
  • The student will create original photographs based on personal experiences or responses. The student will develop knowledge of and artistic skills in a variety of media and technique.
  • The student will explore the role of photography in culture and human history.
  • The student will derive meaning from photographs through analysis, interpretation, and judgment.

For students who wish to continue:

  • Photo 1 is an introductory class that satisfies the high school graduation requirement as well as the A-G requirement for entrance to the University of California
  • Photo 2 is a preparatory class for the AP Studio Art exam. It involves creating a “Breadth” Portfolio that shows proficiency in the use of elements and principles of art to create images that show strong 2-D design. It is digital and film photography, mixed media, and Photoshop. Students who do well can choose to go on to Photo 3. It is offered only in the fall.
  • Photo 3 requires commitment on the part of the students to create the “Concentration” portfolio of 12 works based on a theme that show mastery of style, content and technique. Students must commit to the exam that they take in May.
  • Photo 4 is independent study and can be done in level 1 if the student commits to being a teacher-in-training.

SAVE THIS DATE: Arts Alive is April 22. All visual art students participate in this school-wide event by attending, supporting through a menu of choices, and parent participation in the evening is required. Your student will submit a matted work that will be on display. The show will be judged by a professional artist from the community.

Please keep the syllabus for reference and turn in only the last page with signatures and date

Photography 1 Portfolios 2 Table of ContentsSubject to change when necessary

Page / Title of Photo Assignment / More information / Comments
Here I Am Taking My Own Picture
What are the elements of art?
Why are they important in photography and art? / All portfolio statements need to be 12 pt times roman single spaced.
Due after Thanks giving
Line / Elements of Art are used to build structure in art and photography.
Shape
Texture
Space
Value
Symmetrical Balance / Principals of art are used to balance both the subject and content with the elements of art / Not all photos have balance. When you see a photo that doesn’t look right, it may not have applied “balance.”
Asymmetrical Balance
Radial Balance
Movement: Make a strip composition proves this principle to be true. / This principle of art is about how the eye moves through, or tracks through a composition. / A good composition will keep your eye moving within the frame.
Motion control / Stop action photography requires using a fast shutter of a flash to freeze the action of a figure or object in motion / Practice at school Apply at home
Blurred motion with slow shutter speeds, drawing with light / Motion Blur / Practice at school Apply at home
Dan Eldon Word Frame choice of / Haiku or Wordle / Due after Thanksgiving
Dan Eldon Project
Pinhole Photography
Photogram
Prized Possessions: Artist Statement about your choice for theme + oral critique
Prized Possession Photograph / What objects hold special power for you? The simplest things can make interesting photographs if you apply composition using the elements of art.
A Special Place Artist Statement about your choice for theme+Oral Critique
Special Place Photograph / What place holds special power over you? Where do you go to feel “just right?” / Genre of Landscape. Can be any “place”, inside or outdoors, imaginary or real
Artist Statement / What do you need to know to make a good portrait of someone?
Portrait #1 / The portrait is the most popular genre of photography
Portrait #2
Portrait #3
Footprints/Cathy Brown / Use your feet to create a symbolic self portrait by finding signs or symbols to tell a story
Reflections / Mirrors, ponds, water, shiny surfaces, store windows.
Cemetery or Memorial Shot / This is a tradition in photo classes because of the history and the powerful awareness it gives to the photographer / If you can’t go to a cemetery, you can photograph a memorial (there are many in the park at the State Capitol) or find a roadside memorial.
Urban Photography / Our beautiful city is fun to explore with a camera. / There are many wonderful and exciting places, people and things downtown.
Light and Shadow / Portrait, landscape of still life.
Morning or twilight, window light, side light from a lamp / Practice on side-lighting of hands in the classroom
Homage to Your Photographer / You studied a photographer. There was something you loved about the work. What can you do to show that your ideas were influenced by him or her? / This is the coup-de-tat assignment of the term. You explore your own topic, but apply the knowledge and understanding of a particular photographer’s way of seeing things.
Homage to Your Photographer #1
Homage to Your Photographer #2
Homage to Your Photographer #3
Group Portrait
Sketch of Self
Romare Bearden Collage
All first term contact sheets should be combined on this page.
These pages are reserved for the contact sheets you are making for Term 2. Since some of the assignments are self paced, the order does not need to be followed but you do need to show 25 examples of each single assignment and more of your homage assignment #32-34 (75 pictures exploring different ideas, subjects, places.
Digital students need to save the contact sheet to insert in the digital portfolio only for Term 2Contact sheets can be combined: You need to be aware that if you are not working ahead, you will fall behind. The second term of photography is focused on the independent development of a portfolio. All prints are due by
Dec. 11. The last week of finals we will be finishing up Romare Bearden Collages and putting the finishing touches on the portfolios.
Use this as a check list
Contact sheet:
Portraits : Contact sheet # ______page number in portfolio______# of shots#______Grade _____
Footprints : Contact sheet # ______page number in portfolio______# of shots#______Grade _____
Reflections : Contact sheet # ______page number in portfolio______# of shots#______Grade _____
Special Place : Contact sheet # ______page number in portfolio______# of shots#______Grade _____
Prized Posessions : Contact sheet # ______page number in portfolio______# of shots#_____Grade _____
Cemetary/Memorial : Contact sheet # _____page in portfolio______# of shots#______Grade ____
Light and Shadow: Contact sheet # ______page in portfolio______# of shots#______Grade _____
Urban: Contact sheet # ______page number in portfolio______# of shots#______Grade _____
Homage: Contact sheet # ______page number in portfolio______# of shots#_AT least 75______Grade _____
“”WHAT I LEARNED IN PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS / 1 full page single spaced reflection of the 18 weeks in photo / Due final day Dec 17th or 18th

Name ______Period ______

Photo 1 Student and Parent Signature Page

I agree to abide by the rules and accept the responsibilities of participating in the photography program at Sheldon High School.

Parent initials for each check box

My student has a digital camera

I have read and understood the information in the syllabus.

I would like to be able to use the cameras, enlargers, computers and other equipment available in the Photography Department at Sheldon High School. I understand that I must be extremely careful when using any equipment. I agree to take responsibility for any loss or damage to that equipment while it is in my possession, including theft or damage from mishandling or dropping. All equipment must be returned in the same condition that I received it. If not, the student will pay for the cost of repair or replacement.

My student has my permission to leave the classroom to photograph unsupervised and can be considered trustworthy. (Very important because students in this class sometimes work on their own in groups WITHOUT TEACHER SUPERVISION).

I verify that the work I submit for assignments is my authentic creation only: photos that I took by myself .

My student has signed an Internet Agreement Form and is responsible for the rules therein in appropriate use of computers

Parent: / ______/ ______/ ______
Print Name / Signature / Date
Student: / ______/ ______/ ______
Print Name / Signature / Date

Please check the box you prefer

 Option 1 Hardcopy of Portfolio ($40 Project fee to ASB)

 Option 2 Portfolio : Students make or buy prints and portfolio on their own. (Portfolio is identical to above)