Course Outline of Record Los Medanos College 2700 East Leland Road Pittsburg CA 94565
Course Title: Introduction to Digital PhotographySubject Area/Course Number: ART-072
New Course OR Existing Course ✕
Author(s): Corlew
Subject Area/Course No.: ART-072 Units: 3 Course Title: Introduction to Digital Photography Discipline(s): Art, Graphic Arts Pre-Requisite(s): None Co-Requisite(s): None Advisories: Eligibility for ENGL-100
Catalog Description:
Studies and practice in digital photography. This course will explore the technical areas of f -stop and shutter speed, exposure and lighting, the artistic concepts of balance, and composition as well as the communications possibilities of the medium. Students will complete projects designed to help them learn to solve their own photographic problems. Students will concentrate on solving problems and creating portfolio quality pieces. Taught with an artistic and technical emphasis, this course addresses the use of digital cameras, scanners and computers in creating high quality photographs.
Schedule Description: Create the photos you’ve always wanted! Make them even better than you ever imagined. Through a series of fun photographic assignments and exercises you’ll learn how your camera works, how to use a computer to make your photos look better, and, most importantly, how to see and think like a photographer. You supply your camera and enthusiasm; we’ll supply the rest. Requires digital SLR. For details, see our web FAQ on the art department website.
Hrs/Mode of Instruction: Lecture: 36 Scheduled Lab: 54 HBA Lab: ____ Composition: ____ Activity: ____ Total Hours 90
Credit ✕ Credit Degree Applicable (DA) Grading Pass/No Pass (P/NP) Repeatability X 0 Credit Non-Degree (NDA) Letter (LR) 1 ✕ Student Choice (SC) 2 3
Last date of Assessment: ______Cohort #: __4___
Please apply for:
LMC General Education Requirement(s):
Transfer to: CSU ✕ UC ✕ IGETC Area ____ CSU GE Area____ C-ID Number ______
Course is Baccalaureate Level: ✕ Yes No Form Revised 5-18-2016 Page 1 of 6 Course Outline of Record Los Medanos College 2700 East Leland Road Pittsburg CA 94565
Course Title: Introduction to Digital PhotographySubject Area/Course Number: ART-072
Signatures:
Department Chair Date
Librarian Date
Dean (Technical Review) Date
Curriculum Committee Chair Date
President/Designee Date
CCCCD Approval Date (Board or Chancellor's Office) Date
STAND ALONE COURSE: YES NO
Course approved by Curriculum Committee as Baccalaureate Level: YES NO
LMC GE Requirement Approved by the Curriculum Committee: ______
FOR OFFICE OF INSTRUCTION ONLY. DO NOT WRITE IN THE SECTION BELOW. Begin in Semester ______Catalog year 20____/20_____ Class Max: ______Dept. Code/Name:______T.O.P.s Code: ______Crossover course 1/ 2: ______ESL Class: ____Yes / No______DSPS Class: _Yes / No_____ Coop Work Exp: ___Yes / No_____
Class Code A Liberal Arts & Sciences SAM Code A Apprenticeship Remediation Level B Basic Skills B Developmental Preparatory B Advanced Occupational NBS Not Basic Skills C Adult/Secondary Basic Education C Clearly Occupational D Personal Development/Survival D Possibly Occupational E For Substantially Handicapped E* Non-Occupational F Parenting/Family Support G Community/Civic Development *Additional criteria needed H General and Cultural 1 One level below transfer I Career/Technical Education 2 Two levels below transfer J Workforce Preparation Enhanced 3 Three levels below transfer K Other non-credit enhanced Not eligible for enhanced
Form Revised 5-18-2016 Page 2 of 6 Course Outline of Record Los Medanos College 2700 East Leland Road Pittsburg CA 94565
Course Title: Introduction to Digital PhotographySubject Area/Course Number: ART-072
Institutional Student Learning Outcomes:
General Education SLOs: At the completion of the LMC general education program, a student will: 1. read critically and communicate effectively as a writer and speaker. 2. understand connections among disciplines and apply interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving. 3. think critically and creatively 4. consider the ethical implications inherent in knowledge, decision-making and action. 5. possess a worldview informed by diverse social, multicultural and global perspectives.
Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs): Students who have completed the Art/Digital Communications program will be able to: 1. Demonstrate appropriate studio practices in two and three dimensional media 2. Present, explain and justify their design solutions using the vocabulary of design 3. Research and use examples of historical and cultural products to inform their creative process
Course-Level Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs) On Completion of this course students will:
1. Apply the fundamental technical and artistic principles of photography in creating photographs that communicate effectively. (PSLO 1, 3) 2. Demonstrate problem-solving skills during the conceptualization and execution of photographic exercises and projects. (PSLO 2) 3. Organize and present their photographs in a professional manner. (PSLO 2) 4. Critique the solutions of others in positive, constructive manner. (PSLO 2, 3)
Assessment Instruments: EXERCISES (CSLOs 1, 2, 3) As part of each class session, demonstration lectures address particular conceptual or technical information that is amplified by exercises keyed to the topic. Students must internalize the content presented through in-class and assigned exercises graded on a credit/no-credit basis. These exercises give students a guided framework to experience, and use, the concept presented in the lecture.
Example: Following a lecture and demonstration of local control of tone using non-destructive editing, students are given step-by-step instructions to replicate the demonstration, then asked to perform the procedure on their own existing photograph. They are asked to write the answer to several questions concerning the use of layer masks in the process. The work and writing is checked by the instructor. Students demonstrating proficiency are “signed off,” students who don’t demonstrate the ability to perform the task is given additional instruction until they are able to demonstrate their ability perform the task. These exercises are sometimes technical and sometimes artistic (CSLO 1) and all require problem solving skills (CSLO 2). In each case they help the student learn the skills they need to produce the “A” quality work described in the Evaluation/Grading section.
Example assignment: Photo Assignment Sheet 5 • Introduction to Digital Photography Assignment: Portraits and light Using your adjustable camera, make photographs that demonstrate effective and interesting use of light as a tool to create exciting photographs.
Refer to the lecture, demonstration photos, in class exercises and assigned reading.
Make at least one photo that demonstrates each of the following: • Hard light • Soft light Make at least one photo that demonstrates the following: • A portrait using soft directional light Form Revised 5-18-2016 Page 3 of 6 Course Outline of Record Los Medanos College 2700 East Leland Road Pittsburg CA 94565
Course Title: Introduction to Digital PhotographySubject Area/Course Number: ART-072
3 photos total During critique you will explain how you created, or found hard and soft light, and what characteristics visible in your photograph indicate the type of lighting used.
Advice: Be aware of the light. Try moving around. Move your subject. Note the relationship between the camera, the light source, and the subject.
Remember, this is an art class. Your photos should go beyond simply demonstrating light. They should each be interesting in their own right.
FINAL (CSLOs 1, 2, 3, 4) At the end of the course, students must comprehensively demonstrate that they have internalized course content by presenting their work suitable for application in a job interview. This final presentation consists of work created in class and work created during the semester. It will demonstrate the student is ready to apply for an entry level photographic position. The portfolio confirms the student is able to independently apply key course concepts outside the classroom in a real world situation. Projects address both technical and artistic (CSLO 1) skills as well as problem solving skills (CSLO 2). In creating a portfolio they address presentation. (CSLO 3). These portfolio evaluates the student’s ability is able to meet the standards described in the Evaluation/Grading section.
PARTICIPATION (CSLOs 1,2,3,4,5) Students must be active participants in class discussion, demonstration and critique, accepting and offering commentary, contributing observation and response to instructor questions and asking questions of their own. During critique students address the technical, artistic and presentation facets – in essence, their photographic problem solving abilities — of each other’s work.
MIDTERM EXAM (CSLOs 1) The exam will measure retention and understanding of course material. The exam will contain a variety of question styles including but not limited to fill-in-the-blank and short answer.
PRESENTATION ON HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHER (CSLOs 4) Present a 5-7 minute lecture on a significant historical photographer showing examples of their work and explaining the photographers significance, philosophy, and practices.
Method of Evaluation/Grading: Exercises………...... 25% Projects……………………………………………………………………………….. 40% Midterm exam…………………………………………………………………………10% Final ……………………………………………………………………………… .. 25%
A: 90 – 100% B: 80 – 89% C: 70 – 79% D: 60 – 69% F: 0 – 59%
A-level student work reflects the following: Participation: demonstrates preparedness, interest, thoughtfulness and professionalism in dealing with punctuality, direction, assignments, meeting deadlines and delivery of and acceptance of criticism. Exercises that are complete, demonstrate all aspects of the assigned problem, both technical and artistic are submitted as directed, meeting all deadlines.
Form Revised 5-18-2016 Page 4 of 6 Course Outline of Record Los Medanos College 2700 East Leland Road Pittsburg CA 94565
Course Title: Introduction to Digital PhotographySubject Area/Course Number: ART-072
Projects: exemplary in their creativity and technical proficiency. They demonstrate thorough understanding of, and extension of core course concepts and are submitted as directed, meeting all deadlines. Written work that is complete, well organized, professionally presented and free of spelling and typographical errors.
Midterm: results in a score of 90% or above.
In general, though the level of demonstrated proficiency increases as the semester progresses, “A” quality photographic assignments exhibit the following qualities: • They are turned in on time. • They clearly address the assignment. For example, photos for the “point of view” assignment clearly use an unusual – not eye level — point of view. The best photographs will be from a truly surprising vantage point. A portrait of a dentist from inside a mouth, or a photo of the LMC library from a camera (on self timer) hurled off the top of the building. • They show attention to detail. The entire photograph supports its overall theme. The background doesn’t have irrelevant items that are distractions to the central purpose of the image. Horizons are level. Dust spots (from sensors or dust on film) are removed. • They are technically competent. The subject is in focus. There is no evidence of blur due to camera shake. Shadows and highlights have appropriate detail; they are neither blocked nor burned out. The use of depth- offield is appropriate for the subject. • The photograph has been processed in Photoshop to highlight its strengths and is not merely a file from a camera, but rather a considered and loving interpretation of that file, rendered to carefully – and effectively – express the photographer’s intent. • They will demonstrate sensitivity to light by using its direction and quality to the best effect. It is obvious in the photo that each of the 256 levels of brightness and 16.7 million possible colors in the digital image have considered and dealt with in a way that strengthens the clarity and unity of the image. • The best photos will include all the above, and will also be genuinely interesting in their own right. This might be capturing a moment, creating an emotional reaction, or making a specific political statement. The best photos go beyond snapshots. In the best work it will be obvious why the photographer made the photo, and what they are attempting to communicate.
C-level student work reflects the following: Participation that demonstrates some preparation, modest interest, a lack of depth in thoughtfulness and behavior that indicates a lack of professionalism in dealing with punctuality, direction, assignments, meeting deadlines and delivery of and acceptance of criticism. Photos that don’t communicate as effectively as B and A student work.
Exercises that are almost complete, demonstrate some aspects of the assigned problem and submitted as directed, and meeting most deadlines. Work has some technical flaws. Photos that reflect some understanding of, and extension of, core course concepts and which are submitted as directed, meeting most deadlines.
Presentations of their work that is nearly complete, displays an attempt at organization, and is not professionally presented. It may have some spelling and typographical errors.
Midterm exam that results in a score of 70–79%
Course Content: A. Orientation and general concepts 1. Class structure 2. Review computer basics 3. Class policies 4. Computer lab policies B. Camera basics 1. History 2. Current cameras 3. Film vs. digital Form Revised 5-18-2016 Page 5 of 6 Course Outline of Record Los Medanos College 2700 East Leland Road Pittsburg CA 94565
Course Title: Introduction to Digital PhotographySubject Area/Course Number: ART-072
4. Archiving issues C. Tour of Photoshop 1. Getting photos into Photoshop 2. Palettes 3. Toolbox 4. Basics of cropping and sizing D. Photo manipulation 1. Levels 2. Basic retouching 3. Color correction E. The art of photography 1. Point of view 2. Decisive moment 3. Abstraction and design 4. Composition 5. Quality of light F. Technical aspects of photography 1. Exposure 2. Shutter speed 3. Depth of field 4. Lens selection 5. Pixel density G. Special situations 1. Silhouettes 2. Painting with lights 3. Long exposures H. Commercial opportunities 1. Portrait photography 2. Journalism 3. Products I. Portfolios 1. Physical aspects 2. Choosing photos 3. Developing a resume
Lab By Arrangement Activities (If Applicable):n/a
Instructional Methods: ✕ Lecture / Slide Presentations / Films ✕ Lab ❑ Activity ✕ Problem-based Learning/Case Studies ❑ Collaborative Learning/Peer Review ✕ Demonstration/Modeling ❑ Role-Playing ✕ Discussion ❑ Computer Assisted Instruction ❑ Other (explain) ______
Textbooks: A Short Course in Photography: Digital (4th Edition) • Publisher: Pearson; 4 edition (February 16, 2018) • ISBN‐13: 978‐0134525815
Form Revised 5-18-2016 Page 6 of 6