Photo Digital Imaging I Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>Parcells Hall 313B</p>

Office Hours

TH 315-415, 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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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-1300-001 Photo Digital Imaging I

Prerequisites

Course Description

Instruction in the computer as an electronic darkroom. Topics include color and grayscale images and image conversion and presentation.

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

Tech Supported

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

none

Supplies

Supply List

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

Digital camera, min. 10 mega pixels, (photo majors should have a DSLR)

Adobe Photoshop CC 2022 software

*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.

Technology

Learning Remotely

This course will be taught on online and will meet at the scheduled times throughout the semester. We will use the video conferencing software Zoom (zoom.us). The software is free. To prepare for taking a tech-supported 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
  • 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.
  • Internet – either commercially provided (ex. AT&T, Suddenlink), or a wireless hotspot through your mobile phone.
  • Screen share – make sure the computer settings will allow screen sharing in Zoom.

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.)

Student Performance

Course Description

An introduction to computer and software instruction for electronic imaging. Includes color, gray scale, image conversion, presentation, and ethics. (WECM)

End of Course Outcomes

Produce examples of photographic retouching, color corrections, copy, and photographic restoration; explain the hardware and software used in electronic photography; and organize images in a catalog or database system.

Specific Course Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of digital imaging software and equipment
  2. Begin to define your own rhythm and approach as an artist-photographer
  3. Develop concepts and strategies for expressing visual ideas through digital imaging and how to translate your concept to the finished image
  4. Identify and analyze the compositional design elements used to create digital images as well as the differences between realism and abstraction and the possibilities and limitations of each
  5. Manage digital image files
  6. Discuss their photographs in verbal and written form
  7. Present work for grading in a professional manner, as directed by the instructor
  8. Participate meaningfully in critique
  9. Maintain a professional and respectful attitude
  10. 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

 

Course & Conduct

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 login. Students are responsible for downloading and printing documents as needed.

Attendance & Participation Policy:

In a tech-supported course attendance is required. Should students need to miss class materials will be available online to successfully complete the assignment. Students should plan to attend zoom meetings, participate online, and submit projects by the due date. After 6 absences a student will fail the course.

Work in Progress: Throughout the semester students will have the opportunity to share their unfinished projects to receive feedback and technical help during class labs. Sharing work during this time is required to ensure projects are meeting the objectives for each assignment, and that students are learning techniques as the course progresses. Up to 10% of the project grade is showing work in progress.

Zoom Participation: During Zoom class meetings students are expected to have their webcams on during class discussions, breakout sessions, and work-in-progress critiques. Students may use a background image if they do not want the space they are in visible. Cameras may be turned off during videos and screencasts. Students should be available to respond at any time, and should post a comment in the chat room if they need to leave for a moment. Please use a picture of you as the profile photo; this will help everyone with face recognition.

 

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

 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 in 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. Up to 10% of the grade for a project is connected to critique participation, to earn full credit students must stay and participate in the entire critique.

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 two exams and no quizzes. Both exams are available on AC Connect and are open for a week before the due date. Students may take exams twice and the lowest score is dropped.

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 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 for a week online; this provides students with the flexibility to work it into their schedule. There are no make-up exams.

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 this course appropriation of any images is not allowed this includes photos and illustrations from print or the internet, images from royalty-free and public domain sites, and images created with AI are all considered plagiarism. All students are on the same playing field creating composite images from their personal photographs.  In fairness to other students who worked hard on their projects and created their own content, 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

Percentages for assignments breakdown as follows:

5 Exercises: 50%

Abstraction, Scanograms, Juxtaposition, Restoration, Retouching (10% each)

Ethics Discussion Board: 5%

Transparency Portfolio:  15%

2 Exams: 10% (5% each)

Constructed Space Portfolio: 20%

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 the assignment

Intentional compositional design

Explores the concept of digital imaging as visual art

Technical Skills

Demonstrates knowledge of Photoshop and archival pigment printing

Presents technically well-crafted digitally composited images in a professional manner

Displays an understanding of the concepts and techniques assigned

Professional Practices

Attends lectures, labs, and demonstrations

Shows work in progress

Discusses ideas and asks questions while projects are in progress

Comes prepared, stays on task, and brings appropriate materials

Presents projects on time and meets the requirements of 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% 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:

In a tech-supported course attendance is required. Should students need to miss class materials will be available online to successfully complete the assignment. Students should plan to attend zoom meetings, participate online, and submit projects by the due date. After 6 absences a student will fail the course.

Zoom Participation: During Zoom class meetings students are expected to have their webcams on during class discussions, breakout sessions, and work-in-progress critiques. Students may use a background image if they do not want the space they are in visible. Cameras may be turned off during videos and screencasts. Students should be available to respond at any time, and should post a comment in the chat room if they need to leave for a moment. Please use a picture of you as the profile photo; this will help everyone with face recognition.

Calendar

Daily Schedule

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

Week

Scheduled Activities

1

Meet on Zoom
Introduction, Syllabus, AC Connect/Blackboard/Zoom/Cameras/Adobe Creative Cloud
*Subscribe to Adobe CC Photoshop and download Photoshop and Bridge apps / install / resolve issues

Intro Abstraction assignment / Getting started / Q&A
*Be ready to use Photoshop during class

2

Photoshop screencasts / Work in progress / Q&A
*Check settings on Zoom and make sure audio, video, and screenshare are working

*Abstraction Project Due  / Intro to Scanograms / screencasts
Saving and Submitting images by WeTransfer.com
There will be time at the start of class for preparing images and learning how to properly submit them, followed by critique.

3

LABOR DAY – no classes

*Meet in PH306A – Schedule TBD – Scanogram Demos

4

Scanogram screencasts / Lab / Q&A
Photo Scavenger Hunt Images Intro

Lab / review screencasts / work in progress

5

*Scanogram Project Due
WeTransfer files before the start of class to rwest@actx.edu
*Download and install Bridge from Adobe CC (this is a part of the Photoshop package)

*Photo Scavenger Hunt images due
Juxtaposition intro / Bridge screencasts 

6

Juxtaposition screencasts / Lab / Q&A

Juxtaposition work in progress / Q&A
Midterm Exam opens

7

*Juxtapositions Due 
WeTransfer files before the start of class to rwest@actx.edu

Transparency intro / screencasts / Bring photos / Q&A

8

Lab / review techniques / Q&A

Transparency work in progress
*Midterm Exam due by 11 pm this Sunday (before midterm break)

9

Midterm Break – no classes this week

10

*Transparency Portfolio Due
WeTransfer files before the start of class to rwest@actx.edu

Restoration intro  / Screencasts / Q&A
*Make a portrait for the Retouching project (details on BB)

11

Retouching Intro / Screencasts / Q&A
*Bring portrait for retouching lab (details on BB)

Retouching and Restoration lab / Q&A

12

*Restoration and Retouching Due / Ethics Research intro
WeTransfer files before the start of class to rwest@actx.edu

Constructing Space intro / Q&A

13

*Ethics Discussion Due / Be ready to present assigned topics

Constructing Space perspective screencasts

14

Constructing Space lighting screencasts
Last day to withdraw 11/22 (16 week classes only)

Working with the pen tool / Final exams opens

15

Working with smart objects / Tutorials
Work in progress  / Q&A

Work in progress / Q&A

16

Work in progress / Q&A

Constructing Space Due
WeTransfer files before the critique to rwest@actx.edu

17

Final exam due by 11 pm

Additional Information

see calendar in Blackboard course for specific due dates

Syllabus Created on:

01/11/24 5:35 PM

Last Edited on:

01/11/24 5:47 PM