Communications Media 161 (section
JL3)– Beginning Photography
Wilbur Wright College, Spring 2009
Instructor: Hui-min Tsen / huimintsen@gmail.com
Course information and
links: huimintsen.com
Tues/Thurs: 2:00-4:50, Room A227
Office Hours: Thursdays, 12:30-1:30 in L330
Course Description:
An introduction to
black and white photography as an art medium, including the basic of camera and
darkroom techniques and relevant aesthetic, historic, and critical issues.
Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course. Transfers as IAI Art 917
Course Objectives;
On
completion of this course, the student will possess a variety of technical,
creative, and analytic skills required for the practice of black and white
photography, including how to:
1.
Operate a
manually controlled 35 mm camera and related equipment.
2.
Use darkroom
equipment and chemicals to:
¥
Create a photogram
¥
Develop black and white film
¥
Make a contact sheet
¥
Enlarge negatives
¥
Drymount photographic prints for display
3.
Use the technical
vocabulary of photography.
4.
Apply the general
principles of photography, including lighting and composition.
5.
Evaluate his or
her own work and the work of other students during classroom presentations.
Grading:
My grading system is
based on the principles with which you will be rewarded in the world. Each assignment will be graded on the
following criteria:
1. Promptness
2. Quality of
presentation
3. Participation in
conversation
4. Effort and
originality of approach to the assignment
ÒOriginality: n. – the ability to think independentlyÓ
Breakdown of
Grades:
Grades are calculated
on a point system. There is a
total of 200 points available. Each point is worth ½ a percentile so 180
points=90% (A), 150=75% (C) with the breakdown of:
5 visual assignments
worth 25 points each
1 final project worth
40 points
3 quizzes worth 5
points each
4 writing assignments
worth 5 points each
CLASSROOM
ETIQUETTE: For
many students, this will be their first art class and it is extremely important
that the classroom environment is one where everyone is comfortable
participating and sharing their photographs. The classroom should be an open environment where people are
able to experiment safely:
¥
Always treat your fellow students with respect
¥
No cellphones
¥
do not be late
¥
do not miss critiques
TEXTBOOKS: A
Short Course in Photography,
Barbara London & Jim Stone
ISBN 0 – 13 –
194102 – X
SUPPLIES (required):
35mm
camera that can be manually adjusted
8x10
RC paper for contact sheets
Fiber
paper of any size
20
rolls of Kodak Tri-X or Ilford HP5 film
Notebook
for taking technical notes, logging exposures, and keeping a journal
35mm
negative files
A
dust-free container to store your negatives
Lens
cleaner and tissue
Loupe
Scissors
Canned
air or anti-static cloth
Pencil
SUPPLIES
(recommended):
Developing
tanks and reels
Thermometer
Towel/apron
Sharpie/Grease
pencil
COURSE
SCHEDULE: Subject to change
1/20
& 1/22 Week 1:
Tues:
Introduction to the course, tour of the facilities, slideshow, supply list
Homework:
¥ buy supplies
¥ bring 2 rolls of film to class on
Thursday and a camera if you have one
Thurs:
How to use a camera, in-class
shooting for Assignment # 1 (Light/Shadow)
Homework:
¥ read Chapter 1, 2, 3 from A Short
CourseÉ
Tues:
How to process film
Homework:
¥ bring in materials for photograms and
paper
¥
shoot another roll for Assignment #1 for next Tuesday
Thurs:
Photograms and contact sheets
2/3&
2/5 Week 3:
Tues:
How to Print
Photographs
Due:
2 rolls total, shot and processed for Assignment #1
Thurs:
How to use contrast filters and dodging and burning
Depth-of-Field
Hand
out Assignment #2
2/10
& 2/12 Week 4:
Tues:
Quiz
Good/Bad/Inspiring/Visually
good but shallow/Fascinating but not ÒgoodÓ
Thurs:
Contact sheets due:
At
least 2 contact sheets for Assignment #1 (Light/Shadow)
At
least 1 contact sheets for Assignment #Õs 2 (Single Image Story)
Handout
Assignment #3 (Making Something out of Nothing)
2/17
& 2/19 Week 5:
Tues:
Lab time
Thurs:
Contact sheet due for Assignment
#3
2/24
& 2/26 Week 6:
Tues:
FIRST CRITIQUE
**
4 prints Assignment #1, 2 prints Assignment #2, 2 prints Assignment #3 **
Thurs:
Touch of Evil/
Low light demo/tripods
3/3
& 3/5 Week 7:
Tues:
Painting with light
Thurs:
Contact Sheets due: Low light
3/10
& 3/12 Week 8:
Tues:
Lighting demo
Thurs:
Lab Day
3/17
& 3/19 Week 9: Midterm
Tues:
SECOND CRITIQUE Low Light
**5
prints due **
Thurs:
Experimental printing techniques
Introduction
to Assignment #4: Triptych/Portrait
3/24
& 3/26 Week 10:
Tues:
1-2 rolls due (lab time)
Thurs:
In-class workshop with Triptychs
3/31
& 4/2 Week 11:
Tues:
Critique Assignment #5 Triptych
**
3-6 prints **
Thurs: Rear Window, introduction
to Final Assignment (narrative)
Week
12: SPRING BREAK (April 6th-12th)
Tues:
NO CLASS
Thurs:
NO CLASS
4/14
& 4/16 Week 13:
Tues:
Lab Day
Thurs:
Slides for final project
4/21
& 4/23 Week 14:
Tues:
Individual Meetings
Thurs:
Field trip?
4/28
& 4/30 Week 15:
Tues:
Lab day
Thurs:
Matting and spotting demo/ Lab time
5/5 &
5/7 Week 16
Tues:
Matting, spotting
Thurs:
FINAL CRITIQUE
**6-
8 prints **
Assignment #1: Light and Shadow (4 prints)
Assignment #2: Single image story (2 prints)
Assignment #3: Making something out of nothing (2
prints)
Assignment #4: Low Light (Touch of Evil) (5 prints)
Assignment #5: Triptych: Portrait (La Jatee) (3 Prints)
Assignment #6: Narrative (Crime and Evidence) (Rear
Window) (6-8 prints)