Art 362 Digital Photography
Instructor: Michael Sims
Thursday 1:10pm - 4:00pm
simsm@smccd.edu
Class URL: http://www.smccd.net/accounts/simsm/
E-Course URL: http://photographymoodle.com
This is an introductory course in understanding Digital Photography and is designed for those interested in taking digital photographs. You need not own a digital camera as there is one available for classroom use in the lab. If you are looking to purchase a digital camera or upgrade an existing one, the information provided in this course will be helpful. 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:
• a history of digital cameras
• image resolution
• output devices
• file formats
• storage devices
• color management
• copyright
• some image editing and correction
This class will be taught through lectures, lab demonstrations, and feedback sessions/critiques. Two hours of lab outside the scheduled class are required. 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 7 program or later, and any printers or scanners, those can be used instead of 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. If you do not have one you can go to http://www.yahoo.com or http://www.hotmail.com and create a free one.
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 Landscape = 100 points
Assignment #2 Still Life= 100 points
Assignment #3 Panorama = 100 points
Assignment #4 Portrait = 100 points
Assignment #5 New Perspective = 100 points
Assignment #6 Famous Photographer= 100 points
Portfolio Proposal = 50 points
Final Portfolio = 300 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.
Aug 20- Overview of the course.
• Lab Assignment 1 assigned and due in class
• Project 1 Landscape Photo assigned
• For the landscape project you will need to take at least 10 images of a landscape either found in the natural environment or one that has been created or even some thing that appears to be a landscape. The choice 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.
• Read Pages 1-80, 133-195
Aug 27 - Overview of the course.
• Setting the camera options. Aperture, Shutter, ISO
• Introduction to how they work.
• Read Pages 1-80, 133-195, 199-269
Sept 3 - Landscape Critique Group 1(Project 1 Due)
Sept 10 - Photoshop, Lightroom and Bridge
• Still Life Shoot (Project 2 assigned)
• For the still life project you will need to take at least 10 images of a still life.
• 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
• Read Pages 361-399
Sept 17 - Lighting, Natural and Flash.
• When to use a tripod,
• Read Pages 271 – 321
Sept 24 - Still Life Critique Group 1(Project 2 Due)
Oct 1 - Panorama (Project 3 assigned)
• For the panorama project you will need to take at least 5 to 10 images of an environment either found in the natural environment or one that has been created. The choice is yours. You will then open the images in Photoshop and splice them into a continuous image.
• 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.
• Read Pages 401-591
Oct 8 - Image Correction and Editing, Work on Panorama’s
Oct 15 - Panorama Critique Group 1 (Project 3 Due)
Oct 22 - Filters, Sharpening and Blurring, Copyright, Ethics and More – Mid Term
• Portrait (Project 4 assigned)
• For the portrait project you will need to take at least 10 images of a, you guessed it, person either yourself or someone else. The choice 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.
Oct 29 - Color Management, Printing, Paper and Output Service Bureaus
• New Perspective (Project 5 assigned)
• For the New Perspective project you will need to take at least 10 images of a, cat/dog, mouse, bird. The choice 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.
Nov 5 - Portrait Critique Group 1 (Project 4 Due)
Nov 12 - No Class Flex Day
Nov 19 - New Perspective Critique Group 1 (Project 4 Due)
Nov 26- No Class - Thanksgiving
Dec 3 - Look at other photographers work
• Famous Photographer (Project 5 assigned)
• For the famous photographer project you will need to take at least 5 images in the style of a famous photographer of your choosing. You will also need to research the photographer you have chosen and give a presentation to the class.
• 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.
Dec10 - Famous Photographer Critique Group 1 (Project 5 Due)
Dec 17 - Final Projects Due