ART176: Digital Photography for Non-Art Majors (002) DHH SU18

This course is an introduction to the tools, techniques and concepts of digital photography. An emphasis will be placed on the digital photography workflow from image capture to the final print. It is centered around five creative project assignments, which provide opportunities both to develop technical skills and for personal exploration. Digital Photography has forever changed the way that we engage pictures and picture making.  Digital cameras have made photographing more accessible than ever before, opening the field to a flood of new visual voices. Digital manipulation has become so widely accepted that the very idea that a photograph is evidence of a time or place has come into question.  In this course we will develop proficiency as digital photographers through practical instruction, lectures, readings, a field trip, group discussions, and individual and group reviews, fostering a critical eye for the purpose and production of contemporary digital photographs.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will

• Learn the fundamentals of digital cameras and their applications. (Exposure, focus, white balance).
• Develop a proficiency in techniques for, raw-file conversion, non-destructive image adjustment & manipulation using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Bridge software.
• Develop a working understanding of image file types, compression and resolution.
• Learn the fundamentals of producing exhibition quality digital inkjet prints.
• Explore creative ideas and concepts through photography.
• Develop visual and critical thinking skills.
• Develop understanding of a range of issues in contemporary fine art photography.
• Learn to write about their creative work.
• Discuss and critique photographs and their content and technique in depth.

Requirements

Assignments

Complete all assignments on time. Photograph constantly, making new images for the assignments and for yourself.  All assignments should be upload to your folder on BOX.   It is unacceptable to appropriate images made by others for assignments or exercises in this course.

Archiving work

You are required to organize all of your work in a Lightroom Catalog on one drive.   

Health and Safety

Always be aware of what is behind you when photographing.   

Language

If english is not your first language, let the instructor know within the first two weeks of class.

Special Needs

The Instructor of this courses is committed to accommodating any special needs that a student may have. If you believe that you have a learning/physical disability or that your ability to participate in the class is affected by unchangeable circumstances, let the instructor know within the first two weeks of the semester.

Late Work

You are required to show up for critique even if you do not have your work completed. 

If at anytime you are confused with the course work please address the problem immediately in class, at my office hours, or by special appointment. You may at any time ask me how you are progressing in this class. 

IMAGE MAKING

New photographs will made for each assignment.  

Images captured prior to class may not be used for current assignments.

MATERIALS

- A portable USB Hard drive, (1TB or larger)

- A "Raw-capable" camera with Manual Controls.  (preferably an SLR or ILC)  (If you do not have a camera, you can check one out from Merrit Library)

Resources/books:

(OPTIONAL) Digital Photography – A Basic Manual by Henry Horenstien