Paul W. Pearce pwpearce@cazenovia.edu (315)455-2697 Office
Hours: Reisman
1st floor adjunct office
Tu/Th
2:30-3:30 pm SA
161 Photo 1 Tu Th 11:00am - 1:50pm Reisman 06 3 Credits (CS) Course Description:
Photography:
"Light Writing" (from Greek) Seeing & Communicating. Photography
and the graphic arts convert our 3 dimensional world
into a flat 2 dimensional plane on a screen or piece of paper. The
photo industries continue to make photography easier and easier- continuing
Kodak’s 1888 proclamation “You press the button, we do the rest”. Until
that point in time a photographer had to be part inventor, chemist and
physicist. Today, photography has evolved into an easy,
automatic “point and shoot” practice that even small children can master.
We now have the rapidly changing world of digital imaging, in many cases
this is at the expense of losing control over the creative process. This course will go back in technological time and
strip away some of the automatic interface that makes “picture taking”
easy. We will put back some of the work but reveal much of the mystery
behind image making. This will
develop a deeper understanding of the basic process and impart more
artistic control of the creative image making process.
Digital and traditional film photography are similar in many ways which we will explore. We will concentrate
on the “wet darkroom” and integrate digital in the class to facilitate
understanding. Learning the fundamental mechanical and chemical photographic
principals will facilitate the move to digital or more advanced photography
using larger format cameras and film. Early “Art photography” started as an attempt to mimic
traditional art paintings and prints. It has evolved into a vibrant
independent art form,
an exciting and profound vehicle for artistic expression. Our goal is to empower each photographer
to develop a personal style and visual form of expression. . Course Objectives:
To
enhance the way we look at the world around us, to learn to use photography
to create art in two dimensions. To become aware of
the affects of light and shadow. To
appreciate the photo work of others. Using
camera controls to go beyond the snapshot, creating images that
our eye can’t see. To
develop awareness of the use and effect of photographic images in our
society. Going beyond the “pretty picture”. Become
familiar with the basic history of creating images through photography. To
acquire the knowledge and skills to create basic black and white photographs
through three parallel paths of understanding: 1]
processes: cameras, exposures, developing 2]
aesthetics: exerting
artistic control, refining your eye; lighting, point of view 3]
meaning: is there substance to this image, does it connect with
the viewer, on what level? Course Methods: - website> www.properproof.com/photo will be used for information, links assignments and calendar
Assessment: There
will be in class critiques. The critiques serve as a forum for the exchange
of ideas as they relate to the class assignment. Attendance is mandatory. This
work will be graded on: individual progress and growth throughout the
semester, originality, craftsmanship, technique, level of challenge
and concept. The other part of your grade depends on your effort, class
participation, and , especially, your sense
of exploration; that is, your willingness to take risks in the process
of creating art. The
typical “A” student is a responsible and active learner who doesn’t
take shortcuts. He or she will follow all steps in the creative process,
not opting for an easy out when the project becomes difficult; will
hand work in on time; will participate fully in class; will ask questions;
will do extra work for the sheer pleasure and need to learn. As a result,
his/her work will show considerable growth beyond previous technical,
expressive and conceptual capabilities. GRADING POLICY Assignments
are collected and evaluated according to the following criteria: 1.
Successful completion of project requirements - late work will be penalized 2.
Quality of production 3.
Conceptual development of art work 4.
Participation in critiques and discussions Grades
are broken down by: 1. Technical
2. Formal 3. Assignment goal 4. Effort/Challenge/Creativity Class
Participation/Presentation will be factored into your grade. Each
criterion is measured on a scale of 1-4. (4= excellent; 3=good; 2=average;
1=poor; 0=unsatisfactory) Final
Grades In-Class
-Homework / Assignments 40%,
Quiz 10%, Final
Portfolio 25%’ Personal
exhibition final project 25% A/A-
Excellent. Demonstrated a full understanding of techniques, concepts,
and theories covered in class; exceeds class expectations, self-motivated
and challenged; attends and participates in classes regularly. Submitted new work (not assignment submissions) for the final portfolio. B+/B/B-
Good. Has
completed the assignment well and attended classes and critiques.
C+/C/C-
Average. Has completed the assignments, but without much effort
and challenge. D+/D/
Poor. F
Failing. Not met the requirements of the class. Academic
Honesty Policy: Plagiarism
will not be tolerated. Make sure
you know what plagiarism is and how to avoid it.
Any student who turns in plagiarized work will fail the course. A description of plagiarism and other forms
of academic dishonesty are to be found at www.cazenovia.edu.
Go to Academics and click on Academic Policies. Special Needs Special needs students who
require accommodations in classroom or outside work or test taking procedures
should notify the Office of Special Services (ext. 7176). Communicate
with the instructor as soon as possible to put these accommodations
in place in and out of the classroom. Photo Lab use policy: A comprehensive
lab use policy will be created and posted online and in the respective
photo areas defining use of spaces and equipment in the photo area. All
students should become familiar with and follow the photo area use policies. Attendance Policy: Three absences will not count against you during
the semester; each additional absence will result in a grade level deduction.
Two late arrivals count as an absence. If you are sick you will be considered
absent unless you have a doctor’s note. You know the dates and times
of the class, do not schedule appointments that conflict with class-time.
Missing 5 or more classes will result in a failing grade for the class.
If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to check the website
and a classmate so you can be prepared for the next class. If you know
you will be absent, notify the professor in advance. Missing a class
even with prior approval is still counted as an absence. Quizzes cannot
be made up without prior permission from the professor. 35mm
camera with manual controls, (focus, shutter, aperture) normal
45-55mm lens NO POINT-and-SHOOTS extra batteries for your camera, instruction manual Tripod Magnifying glass
-small magnifier
or loupe for checking negatives and proof sheets Text: A Short
Course in Photography by Barbara London and Jim Stone (Optional
but recommended) Supplies: Film:10-14 rolls 35mm 36 exposure 400 speed ( Kodak TMAX 400, Kodak Tri-X,
Ilford Hp5, 400 Delta Paper: 8 x 10",
glossy, resin coated (100 sheets) Kodak Polycontrast
RC, Ilford Multigrade Negative files: 1 per
roll to file and store negatives Print files: clear page
protectors to store prints, contact sheets (office supply stores) Dry mount tissue (at
least 3 sheets): to mount prints (needed later in class- share a package
with classmate) Mat board (5),
11 x 14"white or off white (needed later in class)(cut
from full sheet 32”X40”) 3-ring binder Hand towel(s),
gloves- if you have
sensitive skin Fine black sharpie Magnifying Glass or loupe Lens cleaning tissue or microfiber cleaning cloth CNY
Sources for equipment and supplies: Ra-Lins 625 Burnet Ave, Syracuse,
New York 13203, 315-472-7872 www.ralins.com/cameras.htm M & Q Camera, 226
Hawley Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13203 (315) 471-3103 http://mqcameracenter.com/ Johnson Camera 6565 Kinne Rd.
De Witt, NY 13214 http://www.johnsoncamera.com/
On-Line
: B & H Photo/Video,
NYC Mail order: 1-800-947-7785; www.bhphotovideo.com
Freestyle Photo Supplies /www.freestylephoto.biz
Adorama http://www.adorama.com/ There are many other on-line suppliers of
photo supplies - consider buying in bulk with classmates to save money. Assignments Assignments
should be completed to the best of your ability, according to the project
criteria, and handed in on time. Each assignment is due on the date
given, so everyone may participate in the critique. The grade will be
lowered if work is handed in late. Once a grade is given, the assignment
may be reworked or redone and resubmitted for re-grading (with 1 grade
penalty). Incomplete projects receive an F. Critiques/
Participation Attendance
and participation in critiques is essential for the successful completion
of this class. A missed critique will result in a failed grade on the
project. Participation and presentation during the critique is considered
on project evaluations. Portfolio A
simple portfolio (collection of matted prints) is due at the end of
the semester, during the last week of classes. The work is to be printed
and presented in a professional manner, using the presentation requirements
specified. It will be reviewed and returned to you during finals week.
The contents of the portfolio will be specified later in the course. Lab
Duties You are expected to keep the lab and studio area clean and orderly. Be sure to leave your enlarger station neat. Do not put wet items around the enlarger areas. Clean and stack trays. Notify instructor or monitor if something is broken. At the end of the semester, you will be required to do community lab service. Each student will receive an assigned task to be completed before you pick up your final portfolio. Class Work and Assignments: There will be some flexibility in the assignments depending
on how well the class progresses. The assignments listed below may be
modified, expanded, or eliminated to make the best use of our time together.
The goal is to establish an enriched and rewarding relationship to photography.
We should also strive to keep the experience gratifying and enjoyable. • Orientation to image making with light. Photograms,
contact prints, pinhole camera experiments. • Camera Familiarization - Shoot random subjects, mixed lighting,
indoor-outdoor for camera evaluation and basic processing skills. Goal-
printable negatives, clean, filed. • Directional Light- eliminate clutter in the image, concentrate
on form, design and the effects of directional light, different qualities
of light- include shadows. • Movement control, use of shutter speed, freeze motion and
motion within frame. Use a tripod or other camera support. Capture the
same subject using different motion controls • Depth of field, show selective focus, use of aperture • Photographs of People - Portraits and Candids;
cooperation between photographer and subject and “the human condition”
- people in the environment • Experimental approaches (double exposure, negative sandwich,
multiple exposures in enlarger. • “Inspired By” Thematic project, research based. Create your
own work based on another artist’s body of work. Artist statement, documentation,
presentation for class • Personal exhibition - a thematic collection of images dealing
with an issue or cohesive concept, with a written artist statement.
You will keep a log-sheet/record of all the film you shoot and
develop (including mistakes and disasters) Your processed film is a record of your work and an indicator
of your process in taking photographs. Contact sheets (proper proofs)
are required as a record of your work and as a way to evaluate your
techniques and creativity without making prints from every frame. Contact sheets (proper proofs) and your film log must be filed and presented
with each assignment. All contact sheets and your film log will be turned in with
your final portfolio on our last class meeting. Throughout
the semester you are encouraged to use your camera to create photographs
of personal interest in addition to the class assignments. They may
be related to another one of your classes. You might be inspired by
some of the examples of other photographers you have seen in class.
You can present these photographs for final evaluation along with your
assignments. |
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