Academic Catalogs

PHOT A122: Personal Expression

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 12/08/2021
Top Code 101100 - Cinematography
Units 3 Total Units 
Hours 108 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 36; Lab Hours 72)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee Yes
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)

Course Description

Through making photographs, this class explores the development of ideas, and an individual point of view. Discussion of aesthetics and current trends in photography. Students may work with analog or digital media. Fulfills "100" level elective course requirement for Photography Certificate of Achievement. PREREQUISITE: PHOT A120, PHOT A120H, PHOT A123, or PHOT A125. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Utilize a range of photographic techniques to create photographs that communicate their own unique interests and ideas.
  2. Improve their ability to articulate the thoughts and ideas behind their work.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Develop camera skills to be able to create expressive imagery.
  • 2. Use darkroom and/or digital skills to express image concepts.
  • 3. Implement chemical and/or digital darkroom safety procedures.
  • 4. Develop the ability to recognize and be able to distinguish different genres and historical trends in bodies of photographic work.
  • 5. Critically evaluate photographic imagery in terms of historical perspective, aesthetics, social context, and intention.
  • 6. Create photographs in response to and in conversation with current and historical photographic practice.
  • 7. Discuss and verbally defend critical evaluations of images in a critique.
  • 8. Develop presentation skills to be able to present imagery to an audience in a way that enhances the concept of the work.
  • 9. Produce a portfolio of expressive imagery demonstrating an understanding of visual communication.

Lecture Content

Photography A122 What is creative photography. How do we express ourselves visually. Conventions and myths Making photographic imagery which is uniquely ours Symbols and metaphors Genres and historical perspective Reality and the photographic image What is illusion. How do we see. The expression of fantasy and reality Relating to people with the camera What is a portrait. Involvement vs. intrusion Using the camera to get closer to people The camera as a weapon Relating to oneself with the camera Self-discovery vs. self-deception Environments as extensions of self The photograph as mirror  The photographic image as object How we see photographs Photographic criticism The conceptual approach The universal response Presentation The meaning of the medium Chemical vs. digital darkroom Venues; walls, the net, and 3-dimensional space Developing a portfolio

Lab Content

A. Fiber base printing B. Digital Printing C. Types of analog printing paper. D. Types of digital printing paper. E. Medium format cameras F. Print scale, large vs small G. Mounting, framing and presentation

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • Lab (04)

Instructional Techniques

1.   Demonstration of various approaches to problem solving through lecture and critiques 2.   Discussion of photographic principles and aesthetic concepts 3.   Instructor and peer feedback through and critique of student work 4.   Slide lectures to illustrate concepts and means 5.   Use of film and or video presentations relating to historical and contemporary ideas 6.   Interactive computer lectures to illustrate use of the computer as a creative tool 7.   Field trips may be made to illustrate shooting concepts

Reading Assignments

Students will spend approximately 1 hour per week reading assigned texts.

Writing Assignments

Students will spend approximately 1 hour per week writing responses to reading assignments and reporting on their library research.

Out-of-class Assignments

Students will spend 2 hours per week shooting pictures for assignments.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

1.    Written exams2.    Critiques of photo prints and their presentation3.    Oral defense of conceptual reasoning of visual ideas4.    Final portfolio of photographic prints

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills with the production of photographic imagery which will communicate visually using conceptual and aesthetic ideas developed through the course. These ideas must be supported verbally during critiques. Additionally, students may be asked to write a critical essay on a photographic 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 Szarkowski, John. . Looking at Photographs. , ed. New York: Museum of Modern Art, 2009 Rationale: This is a seminal text and still in print. 2. Required Barrett, Terry. Criticizing Photographs, 5 ed. McGraw Hill, 2011