Photo Digital Imaging II Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Disability Statement

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Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

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Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

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Course

PHTC-2349-001 Photo Digital Imaging II

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: PHTC 1300 or instructor consent

Course Description

Continued skill development in the use of the computer for retouching, copying, photographic restoration, color correction, data importation, composite imaging and background dropout and replacement.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

There is no required textbook

Supplies

1 Terrabyte portable hard drive. (For a hard drive to be able to be read/write on both a PC and Mac computers, it must be formatted to ExFAT or FAT32 file format. FAT32 has several limitations, including a 4 GB per-file limit. Formatting must be done before using the drive.)

One ink cartridge for new printer – to be assigned

8 ½ x 11” Epson Premium Semi-gloss (Glossy paper is not recommended)

Student Performance

Course Description

Advanced concepts in the use of the computer and software for photographic manipulation and output. (WECM)

End-of-Course Outcomes

Produce photographs that illustrate advanced manipulation and enhancement techniques; utilize computers, various photographic input and output devices, and memory and software applications; and develop a body of work that illustrates photographic skills in digital mastery and personal expression. (WECM)

Student Learning Outcomes

Throughout the course students will:

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of digital imaging software, input and output devices
• Learn advanced techniques of digitally enhancing and manipulating photographs
• Utilize the internet for research about contemporary trends in software, techniques, and equipment related to digital photography
• Develop a personal style of photographic digital imaging
• Discuss their photographs in verbal and written form
• Present work for grading in a professional manner, as directed by the instructor
• Participate meaningfully in critique
• Maintain a professional and respectful attitude
• Maintain classroom facilities and shared supplies

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Class Policies

Course & Conduct

AC Connect (Blackboard)

The syllabus, assignment sheets, and other documents are located on the AC Connect (Blackboard) web page for this course. Students should contact AskAC with questions regarding log in. Students are responsible for downloading and printing documents as needed. Lecture comprehension and participation is greatly improved by reviewing assignment sheets and other materials before each lecture (look at the BE PREPARED section on the syllabus/calendar each week for how to prep for class). Grades are posted on a regular basis and should be reviewed by the student.

Attendance & Participation Policy

In order for students to complete this course successfully, it is necessary to attend the class and participate in the daily activities. Material covered during class, and in-class activities cannot be “made-up” and students should expect to do poorly on test questions and assignments related to topics discussed on missed days. It is the student's responsibility to get class notes from another student for any missed classes. In order to be fair to students that do attend classes, the instructor cannot provide private tutoring sessions to individual students who miss class. Because the instructor cannot possibly know the reason why a student missed class, there is no distinction between excused and unexcused absences.  Because student engagement plays a crucial role in learning, all students must attend every scheduled class. Each missed class reduces the Activities and Participation grade by 25 points, up to 150 points and/or 15% of the overall grade. Arriving late to class, or leaving early, reduces the Activities and Participation grade by 5 points. If students do not miss more than 3 classes (-75 points) the deduction will be waived at the end of the semester. Deductions for attendance will be posted at mid-term and finals.

Copyright Notice

Students must be aware and responsible for the Copyright Notice for the course: The materials on this course website are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for the purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.

Critique Policy

In order to provide each person with a thoughtful critique of their work, all other activities must stop once a critique begins, and students need to engage in the critique process. So that everyone feels comfortable expressing their ideas about images, students need to listen to each other and respect varying viewpoints. To ensure students are able to hear all comments about their work, refrain from private conversations and direct all comments to the group discussion. Students learn about the creative process not only though creation, but also through looking at other work. Learning to use visual language to think and talk about photographs is another key component of the learning process. Before class review handouts on visual thinking, come prepared to discuss photography. A portion of the grade for a project is connected to critique participation, to earn full credit students must stay for the entire critique. Student projects not completed by the start of critique are late. (Refer to “Late Work Policy” for details) In fairness to those who completed their projects on time, please set aside incomplete projects so as not to distract from the critique. Unfortunately, the course schedule does not allow time to provide late projects with a group critique; the instructor will assess late work on the appropriate grading rubric.

Email Policy

All students are assigned an email account by Amarillo College that can be accessed through Gmail. For correspondence with the instructor, please use rwest@actx.edu. When sending email to the instructor, please include the name of the course in the subject line. The instructor and Amarillo College will use student’s Gmail account and AC Online for correspondence. For this reason, students are responsible for checking both on a regular basis. Students cannot submit digital imaging assignments as email attachments; the image file sizes are too large and the emails will be deleted.

Technology

Students will use technology on a daily basis as a part of the class environment. Stay engaged in the content, and please avoid cell phones and unrelated computer use that will detract from the learning environment. The following are some examples of inappropriate use of technology during lectures, demonstrations, activities, and critiques:  checking email, texting, social media, headphones, video recording, snapshots, working on projects unrelated to class, etc.

College Disability Statement Any student who because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact Disability Services (SSC 119, Phone: 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Drop Policy

Should the need arise; the student is responsible for dropping a course. See the Amarillo College master calendar on the AC website and the course calendar for the date of the last day to drop a course. 

Coursework & Exams

Exam Policy There are no exams, assessment will be based on digital images.

Homework Policy Although some open lab time is scheduled during class, successful completion of this course will require work outside of class. To earn full credit for projects students must have exercises and portfolios completed at the start of class on the scheduled due date.

Late Work Policy Projects considered on time will be ready for presentation at the beginning of class on the scheduled due date. In fairness to students who finish projects on time there are penalties for late projects. Late projects submitted within one week of the critique date receive a 20% deduction in total points for the assignment, and for projects submitted within two weeks there is a 30% deduction in points. Projects not submitted within two weeks are not accepted.

Department

Photography Policy Throughout the study of photography, students must make new photographs for each assignment; this ensures that students are using their cameras on a regular basis and refining their visual thinking and technical skills. Submitting old photographs or photographs used as an assignment in another class will earn a zero for the project. Appropriation of images, regardless of the source, is plagiarism (refer to Plagiarism Policy).

Lab Policy Only students currently enrolled in photography classes are allowed to use photography labs. Do not invite friends and family into the labs. The computer labs, darkrooms, and studios require students be enrolled in a course, or have taken specific courses, before using those areas.

Plagiarism Policy It is crucial for students not to pass off the ideas or words of another as their own, to do so is considered theft and will be treated accordingly. When paraphrasing or quoting another source always use parenthetical citation to credit the source, and include all websites and/or books reviewed in the bibliography. In fairness to other students who worked hard on their essays and photographic projects, students caught plagiarizing will earn a zero for the project and may be subject to additional disciplinary actions by Amarillo College.

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria / Grade Scale

Percentage and points for assignments breakdown as follows:

6 Exercises: 30% (300 points total)

(Applied Color, Cinemagraphs, Restoration, Retouching, Posters, Smart Objects are 5% each)

Editorial 20% (200 points)

Fantasy (created space) 20% (200 points)

Final - Digital Imaging Portfolio: 15% (150 points)               

Activities and Participation: 15% (150 points)

Refer to handouts for the requirements on each assignment.

Grading Format / A-F 1000-0 points (100-0%)

A = Excellent (1000-900) 100-90%

B = Good (899-800) 89-80%

C = Adequate (799-700) 79-70%

D = Weak (699-600) 69-60%

F = Unacceptable (599-0) 59-0%

Grading Policy

Assessment of projects will be based on the following:

 

Visual expression

Individual interpretation of assignment

Intentional compositional design

Explores the concept of digital imaging as visual art

Technical Skills

Demonstrates knowledge of digital imaging, Adobe Photoshop, high resolution scanning, and archival pigment printing

Presents technically well-crafted digital images in a professional manner

Displays an understanding of the concepts and techniques assigned

Professional Practices

Attends lectures, labs, and demonstrations

Participates in in-class activities, discussions, and critiques

Shows work in progress

Discusses ideas and asks questions while projects are in progress

Comes prepared for class, stays on task, and brings appropriate materials

Presents projects on time and meets the requirements of each assignment

Attendance

In order for students to complete this course successfully, it is necessary to attend the class and participate in the daily activities. Material covered during class, and in-class activities cannot be “made-up” and students should expect to do poorly on test questions and assignments related to topics discussed on missed days. It is the student's responsibility to get class notes from another student for any missed classes. In order to be fair to students that do attend classes, the instructor cannot provide private tutoring sessions to individual students who miss class. Because the instructor cannot possibly know the reason why a student missed class, there is no distinction between excused and unexcused absences.  Because student engagement plays a crucial role in learning, all students must attend every scheduled class. Each missed class reduces the Activities and Participation grade by 25 points, up to 150 points and/or 15% of the overall grade. Arriving late to class, or leaving early, reduces the Activities and Participation grade by 5 points. If students do not miss more than 3 classes (-75 points) the deduction will be waived at the end of the semester. Deductions to the grade will be made at midterm and finals.

Calendar

Additional Information