Expressive Photography Syllabus for 2021-2022
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>Parcells Hall 313B</p>

Office Hours

MW 330-430, or by appointment

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

Administrative Drop Policy

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

Student Withdrawal Procedures

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

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

PHTC-1343-001 Expressive Photography

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: ARTS 2356 or instructor consent

Course Description

A study of formal, professional and individual uses of photography by applying photographic technology to personalized needs. Emphasis on creative visual thinking and problem solving and the exploration of personal vision.

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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

There is no required textbook for this course.

 

Recommended Textbooks

These books are available in the AC Library:

  • The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes by Christopher James
  • Pinhole Photography, Fourth Edition: From Historic Technique to Digital Application by Eric Renner
  • Photographic Possibilities, Third Edition: The Expressive Use of Equipment, Ideas, Materials, and Processes by Robert Hirsch

Supplies

Supply List

This is a basic list of supplies students will need. The amount of supplies will vary based on project needs, technical issues, and obsessions.

Recommended suppliers:

AC Bookstore – Stonehenge paper, mixed media supplies, etc.

Amazon.com Wintergreen Oil, NF, 2 oz. Methyl Salicylate

Brand: Humco

Photo paper, film, pictorico, etc.

B&H Photo/Video: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Freestyle Photo: http://www.freestylephoto.biz/

General Supplies

1 flash drive at least 1 TB or larger* (this can be used for all of your classes)

Hand towel, and an apron, lab coat, or old t-shirt to protect clothing

Nitrile gloves to protect hands from chemistry

Masks for some processes and issue with smells or safety

Comfy shoes

*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.

Film and Photo Papers are sensitive to light and heat. Do not leave in the car on a hot day. Do not open photo papers except in the darkroom with safelights on. Do not tempt curious children by leaving light sensitive materials within reach.

Supplies are listed for each project and many are used in more than one project, students should order materials as needed.

Solvent Transfers

Spoon

Cotton balls

Wintergreen Oil

Mixed media (paints, brushes, pencils, crayon, etc. artist’s choice)

Stonehenge Paper White, 22x30 inch sheets as needed (AC bookstore)

Scissors or Box knife for cutting paper (or you can use PH314)

Holga (order in time to have materials by the start of this section)

Some materials will be provide for this section

8x10"- B/W, RC, Ilford multi-grade, photo paper, glossy surface, min. 25 sheets

2 rolls of 120 film will be provided, students may need more

Pinhole

Some materials will be provide for this section

8 ½ x 11 Epson Semi-Gloss inkjet paper

Cyanotype
8 ½ x 11 Pictorico, Ink jet transparency, 20 sheets minimum

Stonehenge Paper White, 22x30 inch sheets as needed (AC bookstore)

Students may need film

Technology

Camera: Students will need at minimum a 10 mega pixels camera with a manual mode (memory cards and batteries, etc.). All photo majors are required to have a DSLR; A list of suggested cameras is on the Photography web page: https://www.actx.edu/photography/fundamentals-of-photography-i

Technology

Learning Remotely

To prepare for taking a hybrid class, students will need the following equipment at home:

  • Laptop or desktop computer (PC or MAC)
  • Computers will need to meet the minimum requirements for Adobe Photoshop CC 2021
  • Internet – either commercially provided (ex. AT&T, Suddenlink), or a wireless hotspot through your mobile phone.

For Zoom if quarantined:
Microphone – this may be built into your laptop or computer, or you may use an external device such as a USB microphone or headset.

  • Webcam – a camera may already be built into your laptop, but you can also use an external USB camera for video conferencing.

Camera: Students will need at minimum a 10 mega pixels camera (memory cards and batteries, etc.). All photo majors are required to have a DSLR; a list of suggested cameras is on the Photography web page: https://www.actx.edu/photography/fundamentals-of-photography-i

Adobe Photoshop CC: Students can purchase a subscription to Photoshop CC through the Adobe website: http://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography.html (This link is for photography only, and is cheaper than the full CC, which has a lot of other programs that students may or may not need. Make sure to get the student pricing.)

AC Digital Labs: Students who do not have computers, Wifi, and/or Photoshop at home may work on campus - Parcells Hall 220 should be available during class time. There are 4 Mac Labs (Rooms 220, 306, 308, and 312) available in Parcells Hall for students to work on projects (available hours are posted outside each lab). The Underground also has PC available with Photoshop (basement of Ware Student Commons 371-5429 / underground@actx.edu) .

Technical Help

During the first week of school, students are responsible for resolving software and hardware issues so that coursework is easy to accomplish.

For Parcells Hall computer and software issues: Seth White, PARC 310, 371-5094, sethwhite@actx.edu

For questions related to personal equipment, passwords, and Blackboard: Ask AC (806) 371-5000 / www.actx.edu/contact

Financial Aid: Students may purchase cameras, computers, and other supplies through the AC Bookstore during the first week of school: funds are withdrawn from the student's account just like books and other supplies.

Student Performance

Objectives

Course Description A study of formal, professional, and individual uses of photography by applying photographic technology to personalized needs. Emphasis on creative visual thinking and problem solving and the exploration of personal vision. (WECM)

End-of-Course Outcomes Exhibit creative visual thinking; perform and execute photographic practices that include traditional and nontraditional procedures; and interpret various types of photographic imagery. (WECM)

Pre-requisite Fundamentals of Photography I

Specific Course Outcomes

Students will

  • Demonstrate knowledge of traditional and nontraditional darkroom procedures
  • Experiment with alternative methods of making and/or presenting photographic images
  • Analyze images for proper exposure and/or development
  • Develop concepts and strategies for expressing visual ideas through photographic techniques
  • Develop a personal style or theme of expressive photography
  • 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 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. Grades are posted on a regular basis and should be reviewed by the student.

Attendance & Participation Policy

Due to Covid-19 it may not be possible to attend class or to meet in person. Therefore there is no attendance policy for the course. Lectures and other materials will be available online and students as needed. When possible classes will meet outside; students are responsible for their own transportation. Students are required to submit projects by the due date. Students may use the AC darkrooms for assignments and/or build a small home darkroom for coating paper, contact printing, and film development. No major equipment would be needed, and the instructor will discuss options. This is a hybrid course which means we meet for half the time and students are responsible for the other day – plus homework. There will be lab demos on Tuesday and students will work a minimum of 3-4 hours in labs outside of scheduled class time. Students are encouraged to spread out and work in the darkrooms at different times for social distancing.

Communication
The preferred method of correspondence is email: rwest@actx.edu.

Announcements: This will be used for big events such as schedule changes, class cancellations, and extra credit opportunities.

Calendar: All relevant course information will be listed on the calendar. Students should check the calendar for the lectures, activities, due dates and other important information. The calendar will be updated to reflect changes to the schedule.

Email: I check email in the morning and then later in the day. Students should expect a response within 24 hours. I do not regularly check email on the weekends but will respond as soon as possible. Students cannot submit photography assignments as email attachments; the image file size is too large and the emails will be deleted. Please use WeTransfer.com to send large files.

Grading: Generally speaking, students can expect project grades to be posted with one week of the due date. Grades are released when all student projects have been graded and some take longer than others.

Phone Calls: To speak by phone, please schedule an appointment.

Office Hours: My Zoom account will be available. After the first person, a waiting room will be enabled so that students are not interrupted. Zoom meetings may also be scheduled for questions, discussions, and tutoring.

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.

Civility

Disruptions and/or any behavior that the instructor considers inappropriate will not be tolerated and will result in dismissal from the class. Every student deserves and will receive the respect of others. Every student is expected to be involved and engaged with other students and the instructor.

Classroom Responsibility

Students must clean up their workspace and pick up all the materials leaving class.

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

Quizzes & Exam Policy

There are a few safety quizzes. Students will need to answer all questions correctly before using the related process and/or darkroom. Quizzes are bonus points.

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.

Make-up Exam Policy Students must complete safety quizzes before working with processes.

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 or images 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

Grading Criteria/Grade Scale

Percentages/points for assignments breakdown as follows:

Transfers 25%

Pinhole: 25%                          

Holga: 25%

Cyanotype: 25%

Refer to handouts for the requirements on each assignment.

Grading Format / A-F 100-0 %

A = Excellent (100-90%)

B = Good (89-80%)

C = Adequate (79-70%)

D = Weak (69-60%)

F = Unacceptable (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 photography as visual art

Technical Skills

Demonstrates knowledge of darkroom and camera operation

Presents technically well-crafted photographic in a professional manner

Demonstrates a willingness to experiment with new concepts

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
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 10% reduction in total points for the assignment, and for projects submitted within two weeks; there is a 20% reduction in points. Projects not submitted within two weeks are not accepted.

Attendance

Attendance & Participation Policy

Due to Covid-19 it may not be possible to attend class or to meet in person. Therefore there is no attendance policy for the course. Lectures and other materials will be available online and students as needed. When possible classes will meet outside; students are responsible for their own transportation. Students are required to submit projects by the due date. Students may use the AC darkrooms for assignments and/or build a small home darkroom for coating paper, contact printing, and film development. No major equipment would be needed, and the instructor will discuss options. This is a hybrid course which means we meet for half the time and students are responsible for the other day – plus homework. There will be lab demos on Tuesday and students will work a minimum of 3-4 hours in labs outside of scheduled class time. Students are encouraged to spread out and work in the darkrooms at different times for social distancing.

Calendar

Daily Schedule

This schedule is subject to change throughout the semester. Please use the class calendar in AC Connect on a regular basis for information on how to prepare for class, exact due dates, and other relevant information.

Week

Date

Scheduled Activities

1

8/24

Introductions / Blackboard / Syllabus quiz

homework

Lab Day: Select 3 or 4 digital photographs, make the image file high contrast (almost reduced to a line drawing) make prints on a b/w laser printer or make b/w photocopies of the images. You may use the b/w or color printer on the 3rd floor of Parcells Hall Make 3 prints of each image

2

8/31

Meet at the pavilion in Memorial Park (south of campus at 26th and Jackson)

Solvent Transfer Demo

Supplies: Bring Stonehenge paper cut to 6) 8.5 x 11 inch pieces (available at AC bookstore), b/w laser or copies of images, and a folding chair if desired.

homework

Mixed Media module on BB

Work on getting several good transfers onto Stonehenge paper

3

9/7

Meet at the pavilion in Memorial Park.

Hand coloring Demo / Show and Tell

Supplies: Bring transfer images and colored pencils, conte crayons, paints and brushes, ink, whatever medium you like and a folding chair if desired.

homework

Work on transfer project

4

9/14

Show and Tell / Pinhole Demo / Lab set up / Fans

Meet in PH314

homework

Pinhole module on BB

Lab – work on pinhole or mixed media

5

9/21

Show and Tell / Scanning Demo / Pinhole Q&A / Meet in PH314

Transfer work in progress critique

homework

Lab – work on pinhole or mixed media

6

9/28

Location TBD / Mixed Media Project Due / Remember to scan images before critique and send to rwest@actx.edu using wetransfer.com / Ink Due

homework

Lab – work on pinhole

7

10/5

Show and Tell / Holga Demo / Pinhole Q&A / Meet in PH314

homework

Holga module on BB

Lab – work on pinhole or shooting Holga film

8

10/12

Show and Tell / Film Development Demo – Bring Holga film to develop - Q&A

Meet in PH314

homework

Lab – work on pinhole and/or shooting Holga & developing film

9

10/18-24

Fall Break (no classes this week)

10

10/26

Meet in PH 314 / Show and Tell / Contact sheets and film scanning demos  Bring Holga film for printing and scanning

homework

Lab – work on pinhole and/or shooting Holga & developing film

11

11/2

Location TBD / Pinhole Project Due / Remember to send image files to rwest@actx.edu before the critique using wetransfer.com

Meet on Zoom / Cyanotype Introduction / Holga Q&A

homework

Cyanotype module on BB

Holga Lab

12

11/9

Meet in PH314 / Show and Tell / Cyanotype and Inkjet Negatives Demo /

homework

Lab – developing and printing Holga film

13

11/16

Location TBD / Holga Project Due / Remember to send image files to rwest@actx.edu before the critique using wetransfer.com

homework

Lab – cyanotype

14

11/23

Show and Tell / Lab – cyanotype

homework

Thanksgiving – No classes

15

11/30

Show and Tell / Q&A / Lab

homework

Lab

16

12/7

Show and Tell / Q&A / Lab

homework

Lab

17

12/14

Cyanotype Project Due / Remember to send image files to rwest@actx.edu before the critique using wetransfer.com

Mandatory lab clean-up after critique

Additional Information

No additional information available

Syllabus Created on:

08/23/21 12:37 PM

Last Edited on:

08/23/21 12:40 PM