Week 1, Cellphone Exercise.

 

Art 80 Weekly Schedule, Fall 2013

Art 80 Weekly Schedule

Fall, 2013

Week 1

Tuesday, 08/27/2013

• Go over the syllabus, the text book, and supplies needed
• Introductions

Week 2

Tuesday, 09/03/2013

• Present a photograph you find interesting in class (please bring push pins).
• Bring your cameras and their manuals (if your manual is missing, download it online and print it out).
• Assign Project #1: Scanograms & Collages.
• Lecture: Scanogram/collage.

Week 3

Tuesday, 09/10/2013

• Have read and be ready to discuss Chapter 1: If This Is Art and Chapter 8: Physical and Material of The Photograph as Contemporary Art, Second Edition, Charlotte Cotton.

• Camera function lecture.

• Bring items for scanograms if you do not have access to a scanner at home. You can use my portable scanner and laptop computer, but you will need to provide a sheet of plastic to lay down and a thumb drive to save your file.

Week 4

Tuesday, 09/17/2013

• DUE: Project #1. Please arrive early, and bring push pins to install your work.

Week 5

Tuesday, 09/24/2013

• Assign Project #2: Exterior photographs.
• Have read and be ready to discuss Chapter 3: Deadpan of The Photograph as Contemporary Art, Second Edition, Charlotte Cotton.
• Lecture: Contemporary and historical examples of exterior photographs.
• Refresh on camera function, meet with students and look at their cameras again.

Week 6

Tuesday, 10/01/2013

LBCC Flex Day - No Classes.

• Read Chapter 6: Moments in History of The Photograph as Contemporary Art, Second Edition, Charlotte Cotton.

Week 7

Tuesday, 10/08/2013

• DUE: Project #2. Please arrive early, and bring push pins to install your work.
• 1 paragraph paper due on Chapter 6: Moments in History of The Photograph as Contemporary Art, Second Edition, Charlotte Cotton.

Week 8

Tuesday, 10/15/2013

• Assign Project #3: Interior photographs and nighttime photography
• Lecture: Photographing in low light environments, camera function, shutter speed, ISO, tripod and camera stabilization. Example of photographs rendered inside/nighttime.

Week 9

Tuesday, 10/22/2013

• Have read and be ready to discuss Chapter 4: Something and Nothing of The Photograph as Contemporary Art, Second Edition, Charlotte Cotton.

Week 10

Tuesday, 10/29/2013

• DUE: Project #3. Please arrive early, and bring push pins to install your work.
• Hand out assignment for Project #4: The portrait. Think about who you want to photograph.

Week 11

Tuesday, 11/05/2013

• Discuss Project #4: The portrait

• Have read and be ready to discuss Chapter 5: Intimate Life and Chapter 7: Revived and Remade of The Photograph as Contemporary Art, Second Edition, Charlotte Cotton.

Week 12

Tuesday, 11/12/2013

• DUE: Project #4. Please arrive early, and bring push pins to install your work.

Week 13

Tuesday, 11/19/2013

• ESSAY DUE.
• Assign project #5: The Narrative
• Have read and be ready to discuss Chapter 2: Once Upon a Time of The Photograph as Contemporary Art, Second Edition, Charlotte Cotton.

Week 14

Tuesday, 11/26/2013

• Written proposals due, individual meetings

Week 15

Tuesday, 12/03/2013

• DUE: Present Project #5. Please arrive early, and bring push pins to install your work.
• Bring some food!

Week 16

Tuesday, 12/10/2013

• Con't critiquing Project #5. Please arrive early, and bring push pins to install your work.

• Bring some food!

Art 80 Assignments, Fall 2013

Assignments

Project #1
Scanogram & Collages
An exercise in creating and composing camera-less images.

This project has two components.

1. Scanogram
   For this project you will need to explore the use of the scanner to create a scanogram. It is recommended that you place a piece of clear plastic down before you scan your items. Please think about composition, as well as what items are being used (Are you trying to tell a story? How do the items relate to each other?).
2. Collage
   Please create a collage using found images and/or text from periodicals, magazines or online sources. You can scan and print your collage, or you can present you collage as is. The collage should encompass ideas that interest you as an artist.

What to bring on critique day: 1 scanogram print and 1 collage. Both images need to be 8x10 inches or larger. Please bring push pins and arrive early to install your work. Grading will be based on composition, content, execution of idea and class participation.

Project #2

Exterior photographs: Capturing the city and the land.

Composing in camera for photographing cityscapes and landscapes

1. Using your understanding of camera function, go outside and photograph the cityscape as well as the landscape. Do not make people the main focus (no portraits). Pay attention to composition, your intention with the image, and the conception framework behind creating the image.
   
   What to bring on critique day: 2 photographs of landscapes, and 2 photographs of cityscapes (they can relate to each other, or contrast each other). All images need to be 8x10 inches or larger. Please bring push pins and arrive early to install your work. Grading will be based on composition, content, execution of idea and class participation.

Project #3

Interior photographs and nighttime photography

Working in low light environments

1. Using your understanding of camera function and how to work in low light situations, use a tripod to stabilize your camera and photography both inside (anytime) and outside (nighttime). For this assignment, it is okay if you have a human subject. Pay attention to how you are using your camera in low light situations technically, how to create or capturing movement, creating mood using available light, and your intent in creating these images.
   
   What to bring on critique day: A total of 4 photographs. 2 photographs of interior, and 2 photographs of nighttime exterior photographs (they can relate to each other, or contrast each other). 2 of these 4 photographs should be capturing movement, so that you understand how shutter speed and ISO works. All images need to be 8x10 inches or larger. Please bring push pins and arrive early to install your work. Grading will be reviewing your understanding of creating images in low light situations, camera stabilization, focus, composition, content, execution of idea and class participation.

Project #4

The Portrait
How to render someones image

1. Using your understanding of exterior, interior and low light photographing ability, select a time and place to photograph a selected individual. The image must convey information about the person, and give a glimpse into their personality. Please shoot 100 images with your subject and spend a total of 2 hours with them. Shoot close up, and from far away.
   
   What to bring on critique day: 4 photographs from your portrait session. Images need to be 5x7 or larger. Please bring push pins and arrive early to install your work. Grading will be based on your effectiveness in capturing a portrait or a person and conveying information or a story about them. You will also be graded on focus, composition, execution of idea and class participation.
   
   EXTRA CREDIT: Present your images in 11x14 or 16x20.

Project #5

The Narrative

How to tell a story through a series of images

1. For the final project, time, place and subject are up to you. A written proposal must be received and approved by the instructor by the date noted in your syllabus. You will need to create a narrative using the technical skill and art historical background you have acquired during this course. You will presenting a total of 5 images on critique day.
   
   What to bring on critique day: 5 photographs that convey a narrative. Images need to be 5x7 or larger (no larger than 8x10 inches). Please bring push pins and arrive early to install your work. Grading will be based on your effectiveness in telling a story (however abstract it may be), content, execution of idea, composition of images, print quality and the sequential ordering of the images.

Essay Assignment

During this course, you will need to write one 2 page essay on a photographer that you find interesting. I suggest going to a museum, gallery, or even your local library to find and research a photographer. In this paper, discuss at least 3 pieces of their work and using the techniques you learned in our critiques – decode and pick it apart. Must be typed in Times New Roman pt 12 font, with 1 inch margins. Make sure to staple your assignment.
Due at the beginning of class on 11/19/2013.  

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.