Photography

Photography is an Attitude About Seeing

In photography class,students will learn the essential skills, techniques, and facts necessary to shoot, develop and print black and white photographs. By the end of the course, students will be expected to demonstrate in their photographs an understanding of photography as a visual art form and its use of the elements and principles of design and composition.

Photography will teach the students how to be observers and how to "see as a camera sees." Students will begin to absorb and interpret their visual surroundings in a totally new and more in-depth manner.

We will be exploring image scanning and manipulation using Adobe Photo Shop, as well as experimenting with cyanotypes, toners, hand tinting, pinhole cameras, and Holgas (plastic cameras.) Self-expression, personal imagery, and the artist's message/statement are key components to creating powerful photographic images. The more emotion and connection the photographer has to its subject, the more impact and meaning the photographer's work will display.

Materials

• 35mm single-lens reflex camera with adjustable focus, aperture, and shutter speed
• 3-ring binder only for photography portfolio
• 50 clear plastic sleeves for prints

Goals and Objectives

Students will:

• learn to appreciate and analyze photographs
• increase their visual literacy
• develop and improve observational skills
• increase critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• understand their manual cameras and all its functions
• know how to process their own negatives
• know how to print their own photographs
• have confidence speaking and writing about photographs as a Fine Art

Expectations and classroom rules

• Arrive with a positive attitude and open mind
• Be alert and participate in class
• Be on time to class with all necessary materials in and (camera, notebook, film, etc.)
• Read all handouts and reading homework assignments
• Turn in all assignments on time
• Follow darkroom procedures and safety rules
• Clean up the darkroom, film processing area and classroom after every class
• Listen attentively to demonstrations and lectures
• Clean up and organize enlarger area before leaving darkroom
• Handle all school equipment with respect and care
• Actively participate in class discussions and critiques - Display respect to the teacher and peers when they are talking
• Use time effectively and productively inside and outside of the darkroom
• Take all quizzes and tests - Write self-evaluations
• Give 100% to each project and homework assignment
• TAKE RISKS with your creative ideas, materials and personal self. We are not here to do what we already know how to do. We want to try new things, new ways of expressing ourselves.
• Solve problems; find information and materials, etc. without unnecessary reliance on the teacher. Self-motivation and initiative are highly valued in this class.
• Keep an organized notebook. We will have graded notebook checks.
• Demonstrate a growth in the originality and creativity of your work and images, as well as in the quality and craftsmanship of your work.
• No eating or drinking in the art room or the darkroom

Grading Policy

Grades are based on a combination of factors, which are outlined on a comment sheet given to the students at the beginning of the course.  Each student will be evaluated based on the work they do in class, homework, class participation, attitude, critiques, and behavior. Students will have a written test and critique at the end of each semester as well as quizzes and written assignments through out the year.

• When absent, you must make up the darkroom time on your own time so that you are caught up when you come to the next class.
• When absent any film due or written work due shall be turned in the NEXT school day, before the next time the class meets.
• Late or missed work will result in the lowering of your grade.
• Attendance and tardies follow the same rules as written in the Student Handbook.

Honor Code
General code from the Handbook applies in Photography. In Photo, plagiarism/cheating may look like this: printing another's negative, copying another's written assignment as your own, having someone else shoot your film and/or print your photographs, or not being honest about late film and assignments.

Course Syllabus - Major Topics to be Covered Throughout the Year

• History of Photography
• The camera's controls and operation
• Exposure / How do film and papers work?
• Composition and Framing
• Lighting
• Processing negatives/ contact sheets
• Printing in the darkroom
• Alternative processes / Toning/ Cyanotype
• Digital camera/ Scanning/ Adobe PhotoShop
• The plastic camera- Holga
• Pinhole Cameras
• Photography and mixed media- tinting, collage, surface alterations
• Careers in Photography
• Photojournalism vs. Documentary Photography vs. Fine Art
• Mounting and framing/ Presentation