Art 80 Syllabus, Fall 2013

Art 80: Elements of Photography

Fall, 2013

Instructor: Nicole Sloan

Classroom: LAC-K143

Email: nsloan@lbcc.edu

Tuesday, 1:00 pm - 4:10 pm

Long Beach City College
Catalog #70669

Course Description
This course is a survey of photography as a creative, personal form of expression. The emphasis of the class is on acquisition of skills related to camera operation, selection of equipment, choosing appropriate subject matter and how to take and evaluate the final product, the photograph.

The goal of this course is to equip you with the technical knowledge of using the camera, as well as developing the conceptual framework to create thought provoking and interesting images. We will be examining the work being created during this course in a critique environment, in which we will be examining the technical, visual and content components of the photograph.

This is a non-lab course. Students enrolled in Art 80 do not have access to the labs on campus. Students have to find the way to finish most of assigned projects outside of class.

Course Objectives

1. Identify safety aspects of working with photographic equipment.
2. Critically discuss their photography and the photography of others.
3. Manipulate traditional and digital photographic processes to produce finished photographs of professional quality.
4. Explain how to plan a photographic idea from conception to the finished photograph.
5. Demonstrate the use of the cameras in manual, program, and automatic modes.
6. Differentiate the correct camera lens for a proposed photograph.
7. Discriminate between direct and diffused natural light and predict the result of each on the finished photograph.
8. Discuss contemporary and historical commercial and fine art photographers.
9. Evaluate the final print for content and technique.
10. Select a suitable method for mounting and display of a photograph.
    
    

Course Outcome

1. Distinguish safe and appropriate procedures and practices utilized in a photography studio and lab.
2. Criticize, analyze, and compare 2-dimensional visual art.
3. Create, design, and produce a portfolio of professional photographic still-life images

Required Text
The Photograph as Contemporary Art, Second Edition, Charlotte Cotton
Supplies

• Any kind of camera (35 mm SLR or dSLR preferred).
• A flash/thumb drive, or an external hard-drive to keep saved work.
• Push pins for critique days.
• Access to a printing lab, either on campus or off campus. I would suggest printing at Costco if you have a membership. (All work must be printed out and ready to critique on designated critique days, please budget for the turn around of local and on campus printing labs).
  
  

Photo merchants

• Calumet 805 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood 213 – 466-1238
• Freestyle 5124 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood 213 – 660-3460
• Samy’s Camera Fairfax & 3rd, Los Angeles 213 - 938-2420

• Tuttle Cameras 4019 Atlantic Ave., LB 562 - 424-8633

Art Supplies

• Art Supply Warehouse 6672 Westminster Ave, Westminster 562 – 594-9641
• Lyon Art Supply 420 E. 4th Street, Long Beach 562- 437-6094

DSP&S
Please note, if you have a disability verified by the Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSP&S) at Long Beach City College, it is your responsibility to notify me so that accommodations can be made.

Regulations

No texting, phone calls or the answering of emails on your phone during class. No laptops open, unless you are taking notes (I can tell by your face that you are looking at cat videos). Disrupting the class and/or being disrespectful to the instructor/students may result in your removal from the class (possibly permanently).

  

Grading Criteria

This structure of this class is broken up into lecture, in-class demos and class participation. Grading is based on completion of assignments that are submitted on their due dates, being present on critique days (both yours and others), class participation and written assignments. Class participation combined with the reading and understanding of all assigned written materials are important in your understanding of how to work in the medium of photography. One letter grade will be subtracted from all late assignments. Late assignments with an excused absence will be due one week later.

Attendance Policy
This class only meets once a week, so it is important that you make it to every class.

Three tardy arrivals or leaving class early will equal an absence. Three unexcused absences will lower your grade. All critique days are mandatory. I take attendance and the beginning and the ending of class. I notice when you leave early.

Class participation 15%

Projects 1-4 60%

Final Project 5 25%

Breakdown by assigned grade

A - You are consistently producing work that ranks in the top 10% and technically and you frequently participate in class.

B - You are consistently producing work that ranks in the top 25% and technically and you often participate in class.

C - You complete work, sometimes participate, and you may have three unexcused absences.

D - You don’t complete much work, seldom participate, and you have poor attendance.

F - You don’t complete work, don’t participate, and have five or more unexcused absences.