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CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY 1
2012-2013

Ms. Funcia Email: MFuncia@dadeschools.net http://mkhsphotography.blogspot.com

SYLLABUS
Course Description In this course, students will apply the language of art in producing fine art photographs. Primary experiences will concentrate on the use of a 35mm single lens reflex camera, film processing, darkroom techniques, print manipulation and the presentation of work. Students will also learn basic photographic theory and history. Technical skills evolve through the introduction of pinhole photography and contact printing. Experiences throughout the course will include composing, exposing, processing, enlarging images in the darkroom, and basic experiences in digital imaging. This is a Visual Arts class and the students will be expected to make artwork. Students will be making photographs in this class, not taking snapshots! Course Objectives 1. Identify the use of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design as they appear in the work of master photographers. 2. Practice the appropriate and safe use of photographic equipment, chemistry, and materials. 3. Utilize basic black and white photographic processes including composing, exposing, processing, enlarging images in the darkroom, and matting/presenting photographs. 4. Construct and practice the use of early photographic techniques, including pinhole photography, clich-verre, photograms and other alternative processes. 5. Introduction to historically significant photographers, both past and present, and utilize them as influences on individual concepts and creative expression. 6. Demonstrate the appropriate use of 35mm SLR camera to control exposure. 7. Utilize basic digital imaging equipment and software in the production of photographic works. 8. Employ visual and written critical responses in a personal photographic journal/sketchbook to develop a contextual and historical understanding of photography. 9. Maintain and organize a portfolio of photographic prints and contact sheets neatly and professionally within a 3-ring notebook binder. Studio Guidelines: All students are expected to observe and adhere to all policies defined in the Student Agenda Book regarding lateness and conduct. Lateness will not be tolerated. As a studio class, attendance and promptness are critical to the success of the student. Students will abide by all darkroom and safety procedures. Students are expected to maintain the studio and darkroom. Students are responsible to be where they are assigned during the class period. Students are expected to participate in all class discussions, critiques, and activities. If a student is late, the following procedures will follow: 1st time: Verbal warning 2nd time: Verbal Warning 3rd time: After-school or Lunch detention/Conference with student 4th time: Disciplinary referral/parent phone call Classroom Rules Classroom rules begin with mutual respect between students and peers and between students and teacher. I expect every student to behave in a manner that is appropriate to maintaining a classroom environment, which promotes learning, creativity, and teamwork. 1. Coming prepared to class everyday as well as with all your supplies. 2. Staying sharp and listening to the instructor when lecturing or explaining future assignments. 3. Following directions.

4. Staying productive in the classroom and not disrupting other students that are trying to work. 5. Refrain from using foul language. 6. Not taking materials that have not been assigned to you. a. Making sure that you check out any equipment that you wish to use. b. Not abusing the materials supplied to you by the school. Materials and Fees There is a $60 material ticket fee for this class which provides all the photographic supplies you will need for the entire course. This fee can be paid in full by the second week of the school year or in installments of $30 each at both the beginning of the first and second semesters. Materials provided through $60 (annual) class fee: 50 sheets of 5x7 photo paper, 50 sheets of 8x10 photo paper, 10 rolls of B&W film, negative sleeves and chemistry. Traditionally, the following materials have been required for this class for the organization of negatives, prints, and notes. If students are unable purchase these materials on their own, they may need to make or borrow used ones in class: _____ 9x 12 spiral or hardbound sketchbook/notebook (students may use an older sketchbook from a previous class, if it is mostly blank) Please, no tape-bound tablets, they will fall apart in a matter of weeks! Bring to class everyday! _____ Hardcover 3-ring notebook binder with sections (protects and stores all negatives and prints which are easily damaged) _____ 35mm camera for off-campus HW shooting assignments. These can be shared. _____ (Recommended) USB flash drive for saving prints and Photoshop assignments in-progress Cameras: I highly recommend that all students make an attempt to find a 35 mm Single Lens Reflex (SLR) or rangefinder camera by asking friends, relatives or family members. Often used cameras can be found online (eBay, KEH, etc.) at a fraction of the cost of being new. List of cameras posted to class blog. Photographic Equipment Expectations: Because photography requires the use of many expensive, complex equipment and tools, you must treat all tools (cameras, enlargers, filters, darkroom equipment, chemistry, computers, mat cutters, etc.) with utmost care and respect. Equipment that can be signed out for out-ofschool use is used at your discretion. The cost of lost, damaged, or broken cameras, tripods, etc. will be the responsibility of the student who signed out the equipment. Failure to comply with proper use and responsibility of any or all photographic tools and equipment will result in a phone call home and may result in loss of privileges in signing out or using the equipment. Photo equipment can be signed out for 2 days at a time. For each day past the date the equipment must be returned, the student will be penalized 5 points of his/her studio skills total for that current unit grade. Assessment and Grading Procedures: Grading and assessment will take various forms in Photo 1. Since this is an introductory photo class, its not expected that every student will become a master right away. You will be graded on all parts of your process, with the greatest number of points allotted to how well your final product meets the criteria of the assignment. You will be graded only on your own performance and progress on your individual effort, growth, and improvementNOT on how your finished work compares to the rest of the class. At the completion of each problem you will assess your own progress through written reflection before submitting the work for a grade. Students will be assessed by participating in small-group and class critiques, as well as by completing a self-assessment based upon the criteria clearly stated when the assignment is given out. This criteria is based upon several main categories: Objective Successfully solving the problem in a unique or elegant way. Critical thinking, brainstorming, and the concepts expressed through the work will be assessed in this category. Studio Skills Handling/using the photographic tools and equipment in a way that helps effectively communicate the students solution to the problem. Studio skills may include

actual physical processes like correctly selecting the right aperture and shutter speed on the camera, as well as implied skills like demonstrating correct application of principles of composition. A students management of studio time and care for all classroom studio materials will also be assessed in this category. Craftsmanship / Presentation Neatness and respect for your work should be evident in the appearance of a completed assignment. This grade addresses overall presentation and physical care for the artwork and materials. Design The use of the photographic principles of composition to create an elegant, visual pathway in a photograph. This system will allow the teacher and the student to evaluate specific strengths and identify areas that need improvement. Grades will be based upon percentages: A=90-100% B=80-89% C=70-79% D=60-69%

Classwork/Homework: In Photo 1, the bulk of your homework will involve completing shooting assignments. Please plan your time accordingly to complete all shooting assignments on time. In addition to shooting assignments, Photo 1 students will be required to research, critically analyze, and visually/verbally respond to various sketchbook problems that pertain to further understanding the technical and historical events surrounding photographers and their work. It is in the students best interest to use their regular class time wisely to complete assignments. If in-class time is not used wisely, more out-of-class work may be the result. Quarterly grade break-down and approximate percentage weights 60%: Class work Studio time in darkroom/digital lab for completion of all shooting assignments 30%: Homework/Quizzes Homework includes sketchbook and shooting assignments. 10%: Participation during in-progress and final critiques and written self-reflections Deadlines and Missed Work: Assignment deadlines are set at the discretion of the instructor when the assignment is given. It is the students responsibility to make up any missed work due to excused absences, and to collect daily objectives, handouts, and notes. Students are also responsible for scheduling appointments with the teacher to discuss make-up work. If the student is absent on the day an assignment is due, the assignment should be handed in on the following day. Late work from unexcused absences or otherwise will not be given full credit, only students with excused admits will be allowed to make up work! 10 or more un-excused absences will result in credit being withheld for the class. REDO Policy For any print grade that you wish to improve, you will have the opportunity to redo the project in an attempt to improve your letter grade. You must turn in both the failed assignment and the redo. The redo must be significantly better in quality than the original if any grade change is to occur. Only students who initially turned in assignments on time will be allowed to redo work. A redo will not guarantee a better grade. Extra Credit Opportunities Students will have the opportunity to receive extra credit once every quarter by attending an art exhibition or art performance and writing a brief 100-word description of their experience. Student will also have to provide proof of attendance such as a program, pamphlet or catalog. 2-Rolls of paper towels (for studio)

5-Image based magazines

Academic Integrity

Each student is responsible for upholding and maintaining academic integrity. If there is a question in reference to a students academic integrity, they will be referred to their administrator by way of a disciplinary referral, given due process, and receive the appropriate consequence based on our Academic Honor Code. Any violation of academic integrity will impact a students eligibility for credit in this course.

If you or your parents are concerned about your performance in this class, please dont hesitate to speak with me or contact me via email. If necessary, after school appointments will be scheduled.

HAVE A GREAT YEAR!