Art 363-Advanced Digital Photography
Instructor: Michael Sims
Wed 6:30 -9:45pm
simsm@smccd.edu
Class URL: http://www.smccd.net/accounts/simsm/

E-Course URL: http://photographymoodle.com

This is an advanced course in understanding Digital Photography and is designed for those interested in taking and manipulating digital photographs and have previously taken a basic digital photography course. It will focus on the traditional foundations of photography as applied to digital imaging. All projects must be completed using your own images. If you do not currently own a digital camera you may complete the projects and assignments by scanning images from a film camera. There are two scanners in the lab.

Topics Include:

• Lightroom Workflow
• Camera RAW,
• Archiving in DNG and Data Asset Management,
• High Dynamic Range (HDR),
• Advanced color and tonal correction techniques,
• Advanced retouching techniques, creating custom profiles,
• Contemporary trends in digital art.

This class will be taught through lectures, lab demonstrations, and feedback sessions/critiques. Two hours of lab outside the scheduled class are. Lectures, demonstrations and critiques will not be repeated. Please stay aware of any changes in the class schedule or open studio hours. All students will be accommodated in terms of equipment. If you have access to a computer, a camera, the Photoshop CS 3 or 4 programs, and any printers or scanners, those can be used in addition to the school’s lab equipment. You are still expected to attend the normal lecture and critique period. You may use your own equipment for the lab assignments, but it is recommended that you stay until you understand the assignment. If you choose to work at home for the required two by arrangement lab hours you must fill out an off campus form.

You will need an e-mail account for this class.

For critique, images selected for discussion must be printed on photo quality paper, for completion of the assignment all 10 images must be turned in to the teacher’s stations folders for the class in PSD format.

Lab hours will be posted in class and on the web after the second week of class.

Grading Policy
A: 883+
B: 776
C: 569
D: 462
F: Fewer than 462 points

Attendance Policy

Many class sessions will be lectures, demonstrations, or critiques that are not available outside our regular meetings. Regular and prompt attendance is therefore essential to keep up with what is presented. It is disruptive to the class when people show up late – Please be on time! This course is fast paced and therefore virtually impossible to make up any extended absence.
Please consult the class schedule calendar for any drop class information or CR/NC grading options (student's responsibility).

There will be additional lab assignments during the semester.
Work is due on the announced date as listed in the study guide. Late work will not receive full credit and may not be critiqued.

The grading scale is based on the 1000 points available in the work required for the course:
Syllabus Quiz = 15 points
Student Introduction = 15 points
Assignment #1 Documentary = 100 points
Assignment #2 Narrative = 100 points
Assignment #3 Night Photography = 100 points
Assignment #4 Famous Photographer = 100 points
Portfolio Proposal = 50 points
Portfolio Progress Check-up #1 = 50 points
Portfolio Progress Check-up #2 = 50 points
Final Portfolio = 400 points
Quiz #1 = 20 points
TOTAL = 1000 points
There are 30 additional points available through Extra Credit and the Good Student Bonus.
Extra Credit #1 = 10 points
Extra Credit #2 = 10 points
Extra Credit #3 = 10 points

All coursework must be submitted by the designated deadlines as listed on the Course Schedule. No exceptions allowed. The points you have accumulated by the end of the semester determine your final grade. Keep track of your points. If you have a question about a grade on an assignment, contact me. Make sure to include the assignment number in your message.

Required Text:

Adobe Photoshop CS4 For Photographers; Martin Evening, 2009

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book: The Complete Guide for Photographers, Adobe Reader; Martin Evening, 2009

 

Aug 19 - Overview of the course

• Look at artists work.
• Introduction to advanced digital photography and workflow.
• Lab Assignment 1 assigned and due in class
• Project 1 Documentary assigned
• For the Documentary project you will need to take at least 10 images documenting a subject. The choice of subject is yours.
• For this project you need to provide the name and model of the camera, what settings you took the image with, time of day and location.

Aug 26 – Lightroom Importing Photos

• Importing via, card, disk, folder
• Converting to DNG
• Adding Metadata
• Adding Keywords
• Bridge as frontend to Lightroom
• Image Management by Metadata
• Lab 1 – Create a Library

Sept 2 - Documentary Critique (Project 1 Due )

Sept 9 - Navigating the Library

• Look at Artists work.
• Library Module Panels
• Exploring the Library Module
• Lightroom Previews
• Survey View
• Filmstrip Navigating
• Project 2 Narrative assigned

For the Narrative project you will need to take at least 10 images narrating a story /poem/song or create a triptych or series that tells a story. The choice of subject is yours.

Sept 16 – Photo Management

• Working with Metadata
• Exif Metadata
• Custom Information
• Metadata Editing and Target Photos
• Keywording
• Photo Filtering
• Collections
• Sorting
• Catalogs
• Lab 2 – Create/edit Metadata and keywords

Sept 23 - Narrative Critique (Project 2 Due)

• Final Project Proposal Due

Sept 30 – Develop Module

• Look at artists work.
• Image Editing
• Accurate Color
• Quick Develop
• Develop Interface
• Assessing Images
• Image Retouching
• Sharpening and Noise Reduction
• Workflow
• Project 3 Night Photography assigned

For the Night Photography project you will need to take at least 10 images using either prolonged exposure or stop motion exposure during the night. The choice of subject is yours.

Oct 7 – Photoshop Connection

• Look at other photographers work
• Opening into Photoshop
• Exporting from Lightroom
• Famous Photographer (Project 5 assigned)

For the Famous Photographer project you will need to take at least 5 images in the style of the photographer you choose. The choice of subject is yours.

Oct 14 – Night Photography Critique (Project 3 Due)

Oct 21 – Art of Black and White

• Look at Artists work
• Black and White Conversions
• Layers, Channels, and Masks
• Lab 3 – Image Correction and Conversion

Oct 28 – Printing

• Creating Custom Profiles
• Preparing for Print
• Print Sharpening
• Print Module
• Lab 4 – 3 Prints
• Portfolio Check Up #1

Nov 4 - Famous Photographer Critique Project 4 Due

Nov 11 – NO CLASS

Nov 18 – Bookmaking

Nov 25 – NO CLASS

Dec 2 – Presenting Your Work

• Slideshow
• Photo Blogs/Galleries
• Web Module
• Portfolio Check Up #2

Dec 9 – Final Project Critique

Dec 16 - Final Projects Due