TH 315-415, or by appointment
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ARTS-2356-003 Photography I (fine arts emphasis)
Introduction to the basics of photography. Includes camera operation, techniques, knowledge of chemistry and presentation skills. Emphasis on design, history and contemporary trends as a means of developing an understanding of photographic esthetics.
Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website
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.
(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 4 lab)
On Campus Course
Recommended, A Short Course in Photography by London & Stone, 10th edition or earlier version.
1 flash drive at least 1 TB or larger* (this can be used for all of your classes)
*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 an external drive will delete everything on the drive and should be done either before using the drive or after copying all data to another drive.
Camera: Students will need at minimum a 10 megapixels 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 wanting to work off campus can subscribe 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 Adobe CC Suite, which has a lot of other programs that students will not need for this course.)
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.
Introduction to the basics of photography. Includes camera operation, techniques, knowledge of chemistry, and presentation skills. Emphasis on design, history, and contemporary trends as a means of developing an understanding of photographic aesthetics. (Cross-listed, with journalism emphasis, as COMM 1318) (ACGM)
1. To demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.
2. To understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context.
3. To respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.
4. To engage in the creative process or interpretive performance and comprehend the physical and intellectual demands required of the author or visual or performing artist.
5. To articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.
6. To develop an appreciation for the aesthetic principles that guide or govern the humanities and arts.
7. To demonstrate knowledge of the influence of literature, philosophy, and/or the arts on intercultural experiences.
1. Students will demonstrate effective communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills.
2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship of the Visual Arts and Social Responsibility.
3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of basic digital camera operation.
4. Students will utilize aperture and shutter to control motion and depth of field.
5. Students will manually control camera exposure for shooting in various lighting conditions.
6. Students will manage digital image files.
7. Students will learn basic darkroom procedures.
8. Students will utilize compositional design elements to create communicative photographic images.
9. Students will discuss their photographs in verbal and/or written form.
10. Students will present work for grading in a professional manner, as directed by the instructor.
11. Students will participate meaningfully in critique.
12. Students will maintain a professional and respectful attitude.
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".
AC Connect (Blackboard)
The syllabus, assignment sheets, screencasts, videos, quizzes, and other documents are located on the AC Connect web page for this course (also referred to as Blackboard). Students should contact AskAC with questions regarding log in. Students are responsible for downloading and printing documents as needed.
Attendance & Participation Policy
Should students need to miss class materials will be available online to successfully complete the assignment. There are field trips and activities scheduled throughout the semester to help student with technical objectives: unfortunately, these activities are not available on line. Most activities are on campus but sometimes we meet off campus and students are responsible for their own transportation to these events. For the optimum learning experience students should strive to attend every class, show work in progress, and submit projects by the due date.
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. (Left side bar near the top) 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.
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: TTH 3:30-4:30, or by appointment.
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.
Email Policy
The preferred method of correspondence with the instructor is email. 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 photography assignments as email attachments; the image file size is too large. Please use WeTransfer (wetransfer.com) to send large files.
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.
Exam Policy There are two exams and no quizzes. The midterm exam covers material from the lectures and class content on AC Connect, slide presentations, and demonstrations learned in the first eight weeks of the semester. The final exam is comprehensive. Both exams are available on AC Connect and are open for at least a week prior to the due date. Students may take exams twice and the lowest score is dropped. The midterm exam is due on the Sunday evening before the midterm break at 11 pm. The final exam is due by 11 pm on the first class day of final's week.
Make-up Exam Policy Both exams are available online for a week. In order to be fair to students who take exams as scheduled, failure to take tests by 11 pm on the last scheduled date will result in a zero for that exam score. Exams are available online; this provides students with flexibility to work it into their schedule. There are no make-up exams.
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.
Field Trip and Class Activities Policy During the semester there are opportunities for students to make photographs as a part of hands-on lectures that review camera operation and techniques. Images created during a field trip or in-class activities are considered working with supervision. To earn full credit students must make photographs outside of class and push from learning the techniques to improving composition and exploring ideas. Students are responsible for their own equipment, transportation, and expenses. See field trip form for more information.
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 created for 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. Appropriation of photos, illustrations, etc. from the internet for digital projects is also considered plagiarism. 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.
Percentages/Points for assignments breakdown as follows:
4 Photo Projects: 60%
(Light, Shutter, Aperture, Color, - 15% each)
6 Discussion Boards 10%
(Camera Obscura, Describe, Analyze, Interpretation, Color, Action Plan)
Staging a Narrative Final Portfolio (20%)
Midterm and Final Exam: 10% (5% each)
Refer to modules for the requirements on each assignment.
A = Excellent 100-90%
B = Good 89-80%
C = Adequate 79-70%
D = Weak 69-60%
F = Unacceptable 59-0%
Assessment of projects will be based on the following:
Visual Expression
Individual interpretation of assignment
Intentional compositional design
Technical Skills
Demonstrates skills with digital camera operation and Photoshop
Presents technically well crafted images
Selects and identifies assigned techniques
Professional Practices
Participates in activities, discussions, and critiques
Discusses ideas and asks questions while projects are in progress
Presents projects on time and meets requirements for each assignment
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% deduction in total points for the assignment, and projects submitted within two weeks there is a 20% deduction in points. Projects not submitted within two weeks are not accepted.
Attendance & Participation Policy
Should students need to miss class materials will be available online to successfully complete the assignment. There are field trips and activities scheduled throughout the semester to help student with technical objectives: unfortunately, these activities are not available on line. Most activities are on campus but sometimes we meet off campus and students are responsible for their own transportation to these events. For the optimum learning experience students should strive to attend every class, show work in progress, and submit projects by the due date.
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.
|
Date |
Scheduled Activities |
|
1/17 |
Introductions / Blackboard / Syllabus |
|
1/19 |
Module 1: Fundamentals of Photography / Fab Four / Camera Obscura / Reading Photographs Discussion Board |
|
1/24 |
Types of Cameras Lecture |
|
1/26 |
Three Controllers of Light Lecture / Q&A / Activities |
|
1/31 |
Design Theory in Photography Lecture |
|
2/2 |
Meet at the clock tower on Washington street campus |
|
2/7 |
Module 3: Controllers of Light - Shutter / Metering Lecture / ISO / camera settings / Bring camera and manual (fully charged battery & memory card) |
|
2/14 |
Light Assignment Due |
|
2/16 |
3:45 FIELD TRIP! Meet on 6th street outside of Bracero’s - 2822 SW 6th Ave: Bring Camera (fully charged battery & memory card) |
|
2/21 |
Q&A / Photoshop new techniques lecture / Bring images to edit |
|
2/23 |
Q&A / Photoshop lab |
|
2/28 |
Shutter Assignment Due |
|
3/2 |
Q&A / Module 4: Controllers of Light – Aperture / Focal Length and Lenses Lecture / Calculating Exposure Review |
|
3/7 |
Meet in Memorial Park in the pavilion, SW 26th Avenue and Jackson Street (just south of the Washington street campus) |
|
3/9 |
Point of View Lecture / Q&A / Photoshop lab |
|
3/13 - 17 |
Midterm break – no classes this week |
|
3/21 |
Module 5: Seeing in Color Lecture / Q&A / Photoshop lab |
|
3/23 |
Aperture Assignment Due |
|
3/28 |
Bring Camera (fully charged battery & memory card) |
|
3/30 |
Digital Technology Lecture / Q&A / Photoshop lab |
|
4/4 |
Photoshop Review / Communicating in Color Discussion Board due |
|
4/6 |
Q&A / Photoshop lab |
|
4/11 |
Seeing in Color Due |
|
4/13 |
Module 6: Staging a Narrative Lecture / Brainstorming |
|
4/18 |
Action Plan Discussion |
|
4/20 |
Last Day to Drop |
|
4/25 |
Q&A / Photoshop lab / Show work in progress / Discuss ideas |
|
4/27 |
Q&A / Photoshop lab / Show work in progress / Discuss ideas |
|
5/2 |
Q&A / Photoshop lab / Show work in progress / Discuss ideas |
|
5/4 |
Staging a Narrative Due |
|
5/9 |
DUE: FINAL EXAM (by 11 pm) |
01/05/23 5:46 PM
01/05/23 5:48 PM