Beginning Photography – 4^th and 5^th Hour Sections

Mr. LaFortune

Fall 2009

Syllabus - Page 1

 

 

Course Description

 

          This photography class begins with the basics of black and white photography, such as: manual camera settings, film exposure, film developing and printing in the darkroom.  As students progress through the semester, more advanced techniques, such as: toning, handcoloring of prints, night photography, infrared photography, and Polaroid transfers, are accomplished through class demonstrations and project assignments.  Students will have the opportunity to use class time to complete the film developing and printing portion of their assignments but may be required to use their time out of class to complete the photography portion of their assignments.  Beginning in 2009-2010:  students will only be allowed to take the Beginning Photography class a maximum of 2 times in order to allow other students the opportunity to take the class.  After completing the Beginning Photography class, students also have the opportunity to take the Advanced Photography class, if approved by the instructor.

 

Schedule

 

          This course is a single semester class and is an elective for sophomores, juniors and seniors.  There are two Beginning Photography sections, one meets during 4^th hour and the other section meets during 5^th hour.  There is an Advanced Photography section that meets during 6^th hour.

 

Textbook

 

          There is no textbook for this course, but handouts on any pertinent subjects will be provided.           

 

Materials

 

          1  manual SLR film camera

          1  folder for class handouts

 

Procedure

 

          The primary format of this course will be daily participation and interaction. Students will work independently and sometimes cooperatively in small groups to complete their photography projects.

 

Grading Policy

 

          Grades in this course will be based upon completion of photography projects according to the following criteria:

                                           •    Class participation in discussions and project assignments - 20%

                                           •    Film exposure and development - 20%

                                           •    Image quality: cropping, composition, subject matter fits project - 20%

                                           •    Print quality (contrast, print exposure, etc.) of completed project - 20%

                                           •    Completion of project by deadline - 20%

                 Grading Scale:        

                                                  90 - 100% =  A

                                                  80 - 89% =  B

                                                  70 - 79% =  C

                                                  60 - 69% =  D

                                                   0 - 59% =  F

 

 

Beginning Photography Class Schedule

2009 – 2010

 

 

First / Third Quarter:

 

         Week 1          Introduction to photography: cameras, lenses, film, lighting, exposure. Students take “test

                               rolls” – to learn how to load film, load the camera, use meters, use exposure controls.  Introduction to darkroom and printing.

         Week 2          Project #1 – Light and Shadow begins. 

         Week 3          Project #1 film due.  Print contact sheets.  Printing Project #1.

         Week 4          Project #2 – Portraits begins.

         Week 5          Project #2 film due.  Print contact sheets.  Printing Project # 2.  Critique Sessions.

         Week 6          Project #3 – Infrared Photography begins.  Students’ work ready to display.

         Week 7          Project #3 film due.  Print contact sheets.  Printing Project #3.

                              Mini-project:  Tulsa State Fair field trip – night photos (Digital).

         Week 8          Printing Project # 3. 

         Week 9          Handtinting photographs.  Toning photographs.

 

Second / Fourth Quarter:

        

         Week 10        Project #4 – Using “Creative” Cameras project begins.

         Week 11        Project #4 film due.  Print contact sheets.  Printing Project #4. 

                              Mini-project:  Downtown Tulsa field trip – night photos (Digital).

         Week 12        Project #5 – One Image begins.  Students’ work ready for 2^nd exhibit.

         Week 13        Project #5 film due.  Print contact sheets.  Printing Project #5.  Critique Sessions.

         Week 14        Project #6 – In a Word begins.

         Week 15        Project #6 film due.  Print contact sheets.  Printing Project #6.

         Week 16        Complete all printing.  Darkroom clean-up.

 

 

Minimester:

 

         Week 1 - 4     Minimester Photo Class meets for 2 hours per day which allows for adequate time to

         complete approximately 4 projects.  Also, the extra time allows for field trips to photograph and view

         exhibits.