Mart 362 and 363: DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY I & II - Fall 2009
COURSE AT A GLANCE
Instructor: Professor Michael Sims
Preferred Contact Method:simsm@smccd.edu
Mailing Address: 4200 Farm Hill Blvd, Redwood City, CA 94061
Course URL: http://www.smccd.net/accounts/simsm/
E-Course URL: http://photographymoodle.com
Registration Questions (Withdrawal, Fees, P/NP): http://canadacollege.net/admissions/index.html or (650) 306-3226 (Admissions) or (650) 306-3452 (Counseling).
WELCOME MESSAGE
Welcome to Mart 362 & 363: Digital Photography I & II. My name is Professor Michael Sims. I am delighted that you have signed up for this class to improve your photographic knowledge and image making skills. You will need to work with original photographic source material or copyright free material for the assignments and portfolio. Images will be uploaded into the Class Drop Box for critique and grading.
COURSE DESCRIPTION Mart 362
Fall Semester runs from Thursday August 20th 1:10 p.m. to Thursday , December 16th 4:00 p.m.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:
Real World Digital Photography by Katrin Eismann, Sean Duggan,Tim Grey ISBN-10: 0321223721
COURSE DESCRIPTION Mart 362 Sequoia High School
Fall Semester runs from Mpndays and Wednesdays August 19th 3:15 p.m. to Wednesday , December 16th 4:30 p.m.
MART
362 Digital Photography is an introductory course in understanding Digital
Photography and is designed for those interested in taking digital photographs.
It is designed to increase your understanding of photographic principles
as applied to digital photography. Both point and shoots and digital
slr's are welcome for this class. This class is useful for both PC and MAC users. You will focus on making meaningful artwork using digital imaging skills. The first two thirds of the course focuses on creative assignments that are paired with a technical skill and are to be executed using original imagery. The last third of the semester emphasizes creating a body of work, which will be presented as your final portfolio. The course consists of lectures, highlighting images by both master photographers and critiques of student work.
Sample Topics: Basic photographic skills, RAW files, 16-bit editing, color and tonal correction techniques, retouching techniques, paper comparison and different forms of output, color management, developing a body of work, copyrights, and contemporary trends in digital art.
COURSE DESCRIPTION Mart 363
Fall Semester runs from Wednesday August 19th 6:30 p.m. to Wednesday , December 16th 9:45 p.m.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:
Adobe Photoshop CS4 for Photographers by Martin Evening. Focal Press, 2009. ISBN:978-0-240-52125-1.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book: The Complete Guide for Photographers, Adobe Reader; Martin Evening, 2009. ISBN:978-0-321-55561-8.
MART 363 Advanced Digital Photography 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 Digital Workflow and will teach you to import, sort, adjust, categorize and output to a fine art print or the web. Set preferences for customizing presets, importing external editing, file handling and the interface. The use of multiple libraries and catalogs for efficient workflow. Choose and filter effective metadata such as keywords, ratings, flags and labels to search large databases of photographs. Develop both raw and jpeg formatted files adjusting for white balance, skin tones, exposure, split tone, grayscale, noise reduction, focus, color and luminance aberrations. Evaluate curves, targeted adjustments, HSL (hue, saturation and luminance), color controls, image history, snapshots and presets.
Sample Topics: 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.
COURSE DELIVERY AND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
You will also need to install the free Adobe Reader plug-in for your Mac or PC, unless it is already installed (it is pre-installed on nearly all newer computers, but if not, it is easily available via direct download). It is the global standard for electronic document sharing plug-in, and supports all platforms. Basic computer and keyboarding skills, an e-mail account, access to the Internet, and basic browsing experience is required. You will need access to a computer with Adobe Photoshop (versions CS2, 3, 4 are acceptable) and Adobe Lightroom 2.3 software.
You can get a 30-day trial from Adobe:
https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/tdrc/index.cfm?product=photoshop&promoid=EBYEU&loc=en
If you are purchasing the software, you can get the current version at greatly reduced prices from the following locations:
Canada College Bookstore
4200 Farm Hill Blvd. Redwood City, CA 94061 Phone 650-306-3313
http://bookstore.canadacollege.edu/home.aspx
Computers with Adobe Photoshop software installed are available at these locations on the Canada campus:
Studio 13-211 & Studio 22-113
http://canadacollege.edu/multimedia/studio.html
ANNOUNCEMENTS
I will e-mail you any Announcements that occur outside of class.
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
Required Supplies
1. Access to Adobe Photoshop CS3 (or CS4) software
2. Access to Internet with a working email account
3. Original photographic source material (negatives, slides, digital camera files, flatbed scan capture, etc)
4. Storage media (USB Jump Drive, CDs, etc)
OPTIONAL SUPPLIES
5. Premium Quality Ink Jet Paper - only if printing yourself. Get Epson brand paper for use on Idea Center printers.
6. Access to a service bureau to have images printed - only if not printing yourself (Costco is great)
7. 4-ply non-buffered mat boards. All boards need to be the same color (your choice of white, gray or black). Only if going with mounted/matted portfolio option.
8. Photo corners and linen tape if you are over-matting images (supplied to on-campus students). Only if going with mounted/matted portfolio option
8. Dry-mount tissue only if dry-mounting portfolio images
9. Envelope or portfolio box to submit/mail portfolio. Only if going with mounted/matted portfolio option.
STUDENT INTRODUCTION:
Each student is required to submit a student introduction. Students who do not submit the Student Introduction by the deadline stated in the Course Calendar will be dropped.
Your introduction should include the following:
• Name
• One of your images resized for web (see Resizing for Web)
• Optional photo of yourself (see Resizing for Web)
• At least one interesting fact about yourself and/or the name of your favorite photographer
• Why you are taking this course ?
SYLLABUS QUIZ:
After reading and printing out the syllabus, take the easy open-book Syllabus Quiz. There is no time limit and only one submission is allowed. Students who do not submit the Syllabus Quiz by the deadline stated in the Course Calendar will be dropped.
QUIZ:
The quiz consist of 10 questions drawn directly from the lecture and reading materials @ 2 points per question (up to 20 points). They are open-book quizzes. There is no time limit and only one submission is allowed.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Each assignment is worth a total of 100 points and is graded on the following criteria: appropriateness, technical execution, creativity, and presentation. All work is to be done using your own original images or copyright free source material. Copyrighted images can only be used with instructor approval. As all files will be turned in at the end of the semester, you should archive all of your assignments and projects in this class. Images need to be resized appropriately for web display. Assignments are considered turned in on time only if submitted in Class Drop Box>Assignments # by assignment due date:
PORTFOLIO PROGRESS CHECK-UPS:
Portfolio Progress Check-up critiques. Submit 1-3 new image for each critique session. Also make sure that you provide a background statement as to what you are trying to do/say with the images as well as what type of feedback you are looking for. Be as specific and detailed as possible. For all critiques you will need to upload your images (properly resized for web) and background statement in the Class Drop Box>Assignments>Portfolio Progress Check-up # by the deadline stated in the course calendar:
CRITIQUE COMMENTS:
One of the aspects that make this type of class so rewarding is the critique. Each student is required to critique at least two other students' work for each assignment.
A critique is where you comment on the things that are working well with the images and offer suggestions on how to improve the things that aren't working well with the images. What is it that you like/dislike about these images and/or how can they be improved. Do you find the mood of the image soothing or upsetting? Would shooting a little lower to include more foreground have enhancing the composition? Or should the photographer have framed the scene differently to exclude the telephone wires because you find them distracting? Should they have been cloned out? Would photographing the subject with minimum depth of field have enhanced the composition by making the background elements blurry and less distracting? These are the types of things that we want to discuss. As well as how the images make us feel. So be open to constructive criticism so that we can improve in our image making skills.
• Critiques are opportunities for learning to be articulate about images.
• Critiques present opportunities to increase observational, interpretive, and judgmental abilities.
• Critiques can offer artists alternate ways to think about their images.
• Critiques require participation: Speak thoughtfully and listen actively.
• Describing what you see is a vital part of the critical process.
• Everything counts in a photograph.
• Effectively communicating your insights is preferable to impressing with your intelligence.
• When interpreting an image, you need not be overly constrained b y the artist's stated intent for the image.
• Images can carry multiple meanings and support multiple interpretations.
• Judgments of the value of an image ought to be dependent on an interpretive interpretation of that image.
• Judgments without reasons are irresponsive and irresponsible.
• Preferences are personal and indisputable; judgments need to be defended.
• Critiques need not be judgmental.
• Being critical and being kind are not mutually exclusive activities.
Barrett, Terry. Criticizing Photographs: An Introduction to Understanding Images, 4th ed., Boston: McGraw Hill, 2006
FINAL PORTFOLIO PROPOSAL:
A portfolio proposal is required to be submitted to and approved by the instructor.
Assignment Instructions
Write a proposal that outlines what you plan to do for your portfolio. Be as detailed as you can in defining your vision for the portfolio. The more thought you put into this proposal the easier the execution will be. Slight modifications are acceptable and expected as part of the creative process. However keep in mind that the quarter will almost be half over when you submit the proposal.
Divide your proposal into 5 parts:
1. Type - indicate if it will be a Thematic, Formal, Sequential or Combination portfolio. Don't just list the type,
but explain in detail.
2. Image & Print Size - indicate what size will the images be and on what size paper will they be printed.
3. Output - indicate the output method and paper details
4. Presentation Method - indicate the final presentation for your images. The traditional presentation is a
matted portfolio, however, alternative presentation methods may be more appropraite for your work.
5. Schedule/Timeline - plan out the steps necessary to complete your proposed project (i.e. scouting
locations, photographing, film developing, downloading images, burning CDs, selecting images, scanning
negatives, tonal and color corrections in photoshop, retouching if necessary, making test prints, editing,
making final prints, matting, writing artist statement.
FINAL PORTFOLIO:
The final portfolio is a body of work that you have developed throughout the quarter on a particular concept presented for student critiquing and instructor grading. The portfolio concept is presented as a portfolio proposal that is submitted for instructor approval. The portfolio can be: thematic, sequential, formal, or a combination thereof. A type written artist's statement must accompany the work. Choose one of the final portfolio options below:
The images in the final portfolio should be presented on your choice of mat board and all mat boards should be the same size and color (white, black, gray). You can choose between over-matting and mounting your images. If an alternative presentation would be more appropriate for the work, it must be discussed with instructor prior to the final critique. A type written artist's statement must accompany the work. You will also need to submit the portfolio images and artist statement to the Class Drop Box>Assignments>Final Portfolio for instructor grading. Images must be properly resized for the web
Option #1 - 8 Image Printed/Mounted/Matted Portfolio + Online Digital Portfolio
This final portfolio will consist of eight images presented in a printed portfolio for instructor grading and displayed online for student viewing. Images are to be presented on your choice of mat board and all mat boards should be the same size and color (white, black, gray). You can choose between over-matting and mounting your images. If an alternative presentation would be more appropriate for the work, it must be discussed with instructor prior to the final critique. A type written artist's statement must accompany the work.
The final portfolio is graded on the following criteria: treatment of subject matter, technical execution, creativity, and presentation.
Option #2 - 12 Image Online Digital Portfolio
This final portfolio will consist of twelve images submitted online only. No printed images required! A type written artist's statement must accompany the work.
You will upload the images (properly resized for web) to the Class Drop Box>Assignments>Final Portfolio by the deadline stated in the course calendar:
The final portfolio is graded on the following criteria: treatment of subject matter, technical execution, creativity, and presentation.
Option #3 - Book Portfolio
This final portfolio will consist of ten to twelve images submitted in book form. A type written artist's statement must accompany the work.
You will upload the images (properly resized for web) to the Class Drop Box>Assignments>Final Portfolio by the deadline stated in the course calendar:
The final portfolio is graded on the following criteria: treatment of subject matter, technical execution, creativity, and presentation.
EXTRA CREDIT
Up to 30 Extra credit points can be earned by doing 3 extra credit projects. Project include: contest entrys, photography exhibition reports, special event attendances, film observations, Photoshop tutorials, and PhotoshopTV episode observation papers and can earn up to 10 points per project. All extra credit is to be submitted to the Class Drop Box>Assignments>Extra Credit # section for instructor grading.
COURSE EVALUATION SURVEY
There is a Course Evaluation Survey in Tasks, Tests and Surveys to be taken when you consider yourself done with the course and submitted by the deadline indicated in the course calendar. Your feedback is very helpful for me to evaluate what was successful and what could use improvement. Please be as detailed as possible and offer suggestions where appropriate.
DEADLINES AND MAKE-UP POLICY
Deadlines occur at dates and times specified in the Course Calendar. I will not (and in fact, cannot) accept work past the deadlines, so don't even ask, as it will appear as though you didn't read this first! Plan to do your work well before the deadline so that if you have a problem with your computer or a network failure, you can find an alternative and still get your work done on time. The good news, though, is that there are a lot of points available beyond what you need for a good grade, so you can compensate by doing activities that are still available.
ATTENDANCE AND COURSE WITHDRAWAL
There is no attendance requirement. If you decide to drop this course, you are required to officially withdraw through the Canada College Admissions and Registration Office. It is illegal and unethical for me to "back date" your withdrawal date to save you from getting a "W" or "F". Sorry!
EOPS (EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM)
If you are receiving Equal Opportunity Program financial aid and need a progress report, please send me a message in Private Messages.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
If you have a learning disability or physical challenge, you are entitled to any assistance you need to achieve your academic goals. Mart 362 &363 are very student-centered and flexible within the structured weekly format. It is an appropriate course for students with learning disabilities, although students are required to manage their time efficiently within the weekly deadline format. Most students with disabilities are successful without special accommodation. But Canada College has an on-campus lab with talking computers, print enlargers, tactile maps of the campus, and other alternate learning options. If you or anyone you know would benefit from such a service, please call the Disabled Student Services Office (650)306-3259 or the TDD line (650)306-3161.
Please note that you must identify yourself as a learning disabled or physically challenged student at the beginning of the quarter in order for me to get you the help you need.
ACADEMIC HONOR CODE
All students are expected to know and adhere to the Canada College Academic Honor Code. Students who violate this code will be subject to the academic and administrative consequences set forth by the code.
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR
All students are expected to know and adhere to the Canada College Student Conduct, Discipline & Due Process Code. Students who violate this policy will be immediately excused from class until meeting with the Dean of Students, who will explain Canada student code of conduct.