SYLLABUS

Intro to Photo VAPHO 116

Sec. 002 TTh 9:00-10:50am HFAC F270

Sec. 003 TTh 5:00-6:50pm HFAC F250

Sarah A. Jenson 801.791.3206 HFAC B481c

 sarahcarabine@gmail.com

Course Description

This course is an introduction to digital photography and its workflow.  Over the next 15 weeks we will attempt to answer two essential questions: What does a good photograph look like? and How can I make one?  As we work together to discover the possible solutions to these questions you will develop skills in four general areas:

1.   Camera Usage—the goal in this class is for camera operation to become second nature to you.  We will be covering DSLRs and lenses, exposure, ISO, white balance, etc. Expect to shoot on manual mode throughout the class.

2.   Seeing Photographically and Concept—topics of discussion include art, creativity, design, and especially lighting.  Lighting can make or break a photograph—by the close of the semester you will be able to recognize good lighting and know how to find it. Interesting concept is essential to making interesting photographs—concept will be emphasized throughout the course.

3.   Digital Workflow—this course will cover the basics of Adobe Bridge CS6, Lightroom 4, Adobe Photoshop CS6 and its RAW plug-in.

4.   Technique and Presentation—technique and presentation are an essential part of creating good photographs.  In this class we will discuss what constitutes good craft and clean final presentation.

Learning Outcomes

Through this course you will learn new skills and increase your understanding in the following areas:

     OUTCOMES     METHODS

     1. Creativity and seeing.     1. Creative exercises and tear sheets.

     2. Sensitive photographic design.     2. Lectures with visuals and critiques.

     3. Recognize and create good light.     3. Demos, lectures with visuals, critiques.

      4. Produce quality photographs.      4. Lectures, assignments, in-class exercises,

                                             and critiques.

     5. Digital imaging workflow.     5. Demos, lectures, and lots of practice.

Equipment

DIGITAL CAMERA—You will need a camera with manual controls.  By manual controls I mean that your camera must allow you to manually adjust shutter speed, aperture, and ISO sensitivity.  It is also HIGHLY recommended, though not absolutely essential, that your camera have the capability to shoot in RAW.  If you’re not sure if your camera can do these things read the manual or do a little research on the Internet.

CARD READER—These are relatively inexpensive and will save you time and your camera battery life.  A card reader connects your SD or CF card to the computer and will allow you to download the images directly from the card.

EXTERNAL STORAGE DEVICE—External hard drive, thumb drive, etc.  I don’t care what you have but make sure you purchase one large enough to transport your files from home to school and vice versa.  You may want to consider buying one on which you can back up all of your files so you don’t lose all of your pictures if your computer crashes.  If you want to back up your files it is a good idea to buy two external hard drives and back them up redundantly so you have a copy if one drive fails.

TRIPOD—Tripods do not have to be expensive and are very helpful. While not absolutely required, this piece of equipment is highly recommended and will open up a whole new realm of possibilities of what you can do with your camera.

Grades and Evaluation

Your final grade for the course will be determined by the following factors:

ATTENDANCE and PARTICIPATION This course is hands-on; if you are absent on a regular basis you will be missing information and demonstrations that are critical to your success in my class. Your participation in each critique and in-class exercise is worth 10 points and cannot be made up.  So, while attendance isn’t absolutely required you will miss essential information and possibly points with each absence.  If you have an extenuating circumstance, i.e. sickness, death in the family, etc., that will be taking you out of class for an extended period PLEASE come talk to me. Participation in class discussions, demos, and especially critique is important to your learning, as well as the learning of your classmates. Come ready to take notes and add your two bits.  Please no cell phones or working on your laptops during class discussions. 

PHOTOGRAPHIC ASSIGNMENTS You can expect to have a photographic assignment due nearly every week.  Late assignments will not be accepted, except under very extenuating circumstances. Computer problems, memory mishaps, camera misplacement, vacation, etc are not extenuating circumstances.  If you are going to miss a class you must turn in your photograph before you leave.  Assignments will be critiqued in class by your peers and myself. Sometimes critiques can be a little tough so it’s important to remember that the critique is only a reflection of your assignment, not a reflection of you personally. Your grade on each assignment will be based on the following:

Content: The creativity and originality of the idea, message, or content behind your piece. What are you trying to say? Is it worth saying?

Structure: The composition of your photograph and how you use the principles and elements of design to put your visual ingredients together successfully. 

Craftsmanship: The technique or craft employed with all pertinent materials and processes.

Goals Met: Solving the problem successfully while following all instructions and guidelines.

You can expect relatively “tough grading” on your photographs—this will help you learn (that’s my job).  You can redo any assignment as many times as you like as long as you get it in on time.

TEAR SHEETS Tear sheets are used to help get your creative juices flowing.  They will give you an opportunity to research out your projects.  Generally you’ll turn in one tear sheet each week.  

PRESENTATION You will be asked to give one short 5 minute presentation near the end of the semester on “the best photograph ever”.

FINAL The final will be a portfolio of 6 printed images on theme and an artist statement demonstrating creativity and a mastery of techniques and concepts we will cover over the course of the semester.

An important note on grading: A “C” grade indicates that you fulfilled the assignment.  In academic terms, a “C” means average; if you fulfilled the requirements of the assignment you did what any average student would do.  A “B” means that you fulfilled the assignment with few technical issues and showed a little creativity or ingenuity in the way you completed the assignment.  An “A” means you completed the assignment in an excellent manner.  You showed creativity, concept, an original idea and executed the assignment with good technique.  Please remember that assignment grades are not a reflection of who you are as a person or how well I like you—they are simply a means of communication.  Through grades I can communicate to you how well the assignment was completed conceptually, structurally, technically, and whether or not the project goals were met.  That being said, I’ve set up my assignments so that I can give grades reflecting the quality of your assignments without hurting your final grade too much. Your weekly tear sheets are worth 25 points each and the assignments are graded out of 100.  Because you get 100% on every tear sheet you turn in, it helps boost your grades on your assignments.

This class is intended to be both fun and challenging.  If you work hard you will find success, enjoyment, and satisfaction. 

“We will achieve greatness only through an enormous amount of hard work over many years…and not just any hard work but work of a particular type that’s demanding and painful.  The good news is that our lack of natural gift is irrelevant—talent has little or nothing to do with greatness…nobody is great without work.”

                                                 -Geoffrey Colvin

Preventing Sexual Harassment

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an educational program or activity that receives federal funds. The act is intended to eliminate sex discrimination in education. Title IX covers discrimination in programs, admissions, activities, and student-to-student sexual harassment. BYU’s policy against sexual harassment extends not only to employees of the University, but to students as well. If you encounter unlawful sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, please talk to your professor; contact the campus EEO office at 378-5895 or 367-5689 (24 hours); or contact the Honor Code Office at 378-2847.

Students with Disabilities

Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere, which reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have any disability, which may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the Services for Students with Disabilities Office at 378-2767. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with the student and instructor by the SSD office. If you need assistance or if you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established grievance policy and procedures. You should contact the Equal Employment Office at 378-5895, D-282 ASB.

Honor Code

In keeping with the principles of the BYU Honor Code, students are expected to be honest in all of their academic work. Academic honesty means, most fundamentally, that any work students present as their own must in fact be their own work and not of that of another. Violations of

this principle may result in a failing grade in the course and additional disciplinary action by the university. Students are also expected to adhere to the Dress and Grooming Standards. Adherence demonstrates respect for themselves and others and ensures an effective learning and working environment. It is the University’s and the Department’s expectation in class, that each student will abide by all Honor Code standards.