PHOT A100: Basic Digital Photography
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 12/08/2021 |
| Top Code | 101200 - Applied Photography |
| Units | 2 Total Units |
| Hours | 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 36; Lab Hours 18) |
| Total Outside of Class Hours | 0 |
| Course Credit Status | Credit: Degree Applicable (D) |
| Material Fee | No |
| Basic Skills | Not Basic Skills (N) |
| Repeatable | No |
| Grading Policy | Standard Letter (S),
|
| Associate Arts Local General Education (GE) |
|
| Associate Science Local General Education (GE) |
|
Course Description
Designed to help the photo enthusiast increase their visual literacy, increase knowledge of the historic use of photographs in all aspects of society, and to take better pictures. A practical foundation in the use of digital cameras will be introduced, including exposure, composition, lighting, color, as well as, current methodology of image processing. A strong foundation of the historic context of photographs will be provided as a way of students learning to develop their ability to communicate through their images and to place them in context, to analyze, and evaluate photographs. Transfer Credit: CSU.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Utilize the fundamentals of visual communication as they apply to the making of digital images.
- Demonstrate the ability to operate the basic controls of a Digital camera.
Course Objectives
- 1. Demonstrate skills in the fundamentals of visual communication.
- 2. Differentiate the historical traditions, cultural functions, and contemporary issues in digital photography.
- 3. Create photographs that apply the elements and principles included in historic and contemporary photography.
- 4. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the basic controls of a digital camera.
- 5. Examine and properly use aperture and shutter speed settings to produce creative effects.
- 6. Analyze natural and artificial lighting techniques in historic and contemporary photography and create photographs based on this analysis.
- 7. Utilize photographic vocabulary and critical theory in the analysis of a local photographic exhibition.
Lecture Content
1. Historical Approaches to Photography a. Traditional photography b. The digital photography transition c. The use of photography in new media d. Visual language and visual literacy e. Historic photographers as reference to cultural context to be examined, include but not limited to: Cartier-Bresson; Joseph Koudelka; Alfred Steiglitz; Andre Kertesz; Eugene Atget; Paul Strand; Imogeen Cunningham; Lee Friedlander; Ansel Adams; Edward Weston; Berenice Abbott; Minor White; Robert Adams; Manual Alvarez Bravo; August Sander; Richard Avedon; Danny Lyon; Jerry Ulesmann; Diane Arbus; Marry Ellen Mark; Cindy Sheman; and Nan Goldin. 2. Basic Camera Controls a. Types of digital camera b. The historic evolution of image making c. Aperture and Depth of Field Controls, ISO d. Shutter speed and motion controls e. Importing images into image editing software 3. Metering and exposure. a. Automatic and Manual exposure b. AV and TV settings c. Viewing and opening images in image editing software 4. Using Camera Controls Creatively a. Depth of Field and selective focus b. Shut ter speed and the use of motion c. View historic and contemporary examples 5. Photographic Composition a. Principles of composition b. Contrast c. Shadow and Light d. Framing and cropping e. Rule of Thirds f. Photographic terminology and vocabulary g. View historic and contemporary examples 6. Lenses and Light a. Focal length b. Zoom and Prime lenses c. The role of the lens in Depth of field d. Types and Qualities of Light e. Basic image corrections f. View historic and contemporary examples. 7. Introduction to Image editing software a. Image tonal range b. Image corrections d. Black and White techniques 8. Advanced image control a. Introduction to color temperature b. White Balance controls c. Photo Filters and Effects in editing software d. View historic and contemporary examples. 9. Resolution and Exporting files a. Changing file formats b. File Formats JPEG vs RAW 10. Using Artificial Light a. Photographing in various types of artificial light b. Using On-Camera flash c. View historic and contemporary examples.
Lab Content
Laboratory Content (18 hrs) 1. Demonstration and directed introduction to image editing software. a. Image archiving and storage. b. Importing images into editing software. 2. Demonstration of Image opening and viewing in software. a. Image resolution, viewing of images. 3. Demonstration of basic image corrections. a. Midtone adjustments b. Highlight and Shadow adjustments 4. Demonstration of image tonal range a. Black and White image conversion. 5. Color Adjustment Techniques. a. Color cast removal
, directed practice. b. Photo Filters and creative techniques. Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE
QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> alse" Name="Table Grid"/>
d="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- Lab (04)
Instructional Techniques
Lectures will cover the history of photography, demonstrations of technical issues, introduce conceptual thinking via reading, writing and photographic assignments. Discussion of photographic history, theory, principles and aesthetics. Instructor and peer feedback through critique of student work. Power point presentations to show examples of images from the history of photography. Use of DVD and online video presentations relating to course content.
Reading Assignments
Students will spend 1 hour reading from the assigned textbook.
Writing Assignments
Students will spend 1 hour per week writing responses to reading assignments and critical analysis of their photographic assignments.
Out-of-class Assignments
Student will spend 2 hrs. completing class photography and assignments designed to reinforce concepts introduced in lecture. Students will work independently in studio and outside of class to meet assignment requirements.
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills in the production of photographic assignments. Students will visually communicate conceptual and aesthetic concerns in response to lecture material. These ideas must be supported verbally in critiques.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Students will demonstrate problem solving and skills with the production of a portfolio of photographic imagery for class projects. These projects require that techniques are applied appropriately to solve various challenges that are presented. Students will participate in group and individual critiques. Additionally, students may be asked to write short reports from a museum or gallery exhibition.
Eligible Disciplines
Photography: Masters degree in photography, fine arts, or art OR bachelors degree in any of the above AND masters degree in art history or humanities OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.
Textbooks Resources
1. Required London, B and Stone,J. A Short Course In Digital Photography, 3rd ed. Pearson, 2014
Other Resources
1. Selected reading and handout materials will be distributed by the instructor.