TH 315-415, or by appointment
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 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.
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
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.
Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016
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.
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 .
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
none
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 login. Students are responsible for downloading and printing documents as needed.
Attendance & Participation Policy:
Attendance is required. Should students need to miss class materials will be available online to successfully complete the assignment. Students should plan to attend class meetings, participate online, and submit projects by the due date. After 6 absences a student will fail the course.
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. A portion of the grade for a project is connected to critique participation, to earn full credit students must stay for the entire critique.
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 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.
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. 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.
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.
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 class activity 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.
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 for assignments breakdown as follows:
Fundamentals 10%
4 Photo Projects 15% each (light, shutter, aperture, color)
Staging a Narrative 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:
Attendance is required. Should students need to miss class materials will be available online to successfully complete the assignment. Students should plan to attend class meetings, participate online, and submit projects by the due date. After 6 absences a student will fail the course.
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 |
Week 1 | Introductions / Blackboard / Syllabus |
| Module 1: Fundamentals of Photography / Fab Four / Camera Obscura / Describing a Photograph Activity |
| Week 2 | Photograms and Pinhole Photography Lab |
| Scanning Demo / Resizing Demo / Google Slide Presentations |
| Week 3 | Google Slide Presentations Due |
| Module 2: Light Assignment / Light Lecture |
| Week 4 | Design Theory in Photography Lecture / Analyzing Composition Discussion Board / Types of Cameras Lecture |
| Three Controllers of Light Lecture / Photo walk |
Week 5 | Photoshop & Bridge – Basic B/W editing / Photos should be shot and ready to edit – the project is due the next class |
| Light Assignment Due |
| Week6 | Module 3: Shutter Assignment and Lecture / Understanding Exposure / ISO / camera settings / Bring camera and manual (fully charged battery & memory card) / Photo walk |
| Shutter and Narrative Discussion Board |
| Week7 | Point of View Lecture / Photoshop new / Bring images to edit |
| Lab Day |
Shutter Assignment Due | |
Week 8 | Module 4: Aperture Assignment Lecture |
|
|
3/11 - 15 | Midterm break – no classes this week |
| Week 9 | Different Perspective / New techniques in Photoshop – curves, masks, handcoloring, and toning /Portraits / Still life / fill cards / reflectors / Bring camera and manual (fully charged battery & memory card) |
| Exposure Triangle videos / Interpreting A Photography Discussion Board |
| Week 10 | Aperture Assignment Due |
| Module 5: Seeing in Color Lecture / Communicating in Color Discussion Board |
| Week 11 | New techniques: Photoshop editing color, layers, and masks Digital Technology Lecture / Q&A / Photoshop lab |
| Photoshop Review / Communicating in Color Discussion Board due |
Week 12 | Q&A / Photoshop lab |
Seeing in Color Due | |
Week 13 | Module 6: Staging a Narrative Lecture / Brainstorming |
Action Plan Discussion | |
Week 14 | Q&A / Photoshop lab / Show work in progress / Discuss ideas |
Q&A / Photoshop lab / Show work in progress / Discuss ideas | |
Week 15 | Staging a Narrative Due |
| Week 16 | DUE: FINAL EXAM (by 11 pm) |
01/13/24 7:20 PM
01/14/24 11:23 AM