Pre-AP Art II Photography Photography/Digital Imaging Syllabus Teacher: Mr. Clements [email protected]

Class Text: Joyner, Hermon and Monaghan, Kathleen. Focus on Photography. Davis Publications, 2007.

Digital Software: Adobe Photoshop CS4

Course description This class is intended to introduce the beginning photographer to digital imaging and digital imaging software. The primary instruction will focus on using a digital SLR and manipulating images in Photoshop. An emphasis on solving two-dimensional design issues will also be a part of the curriculum. This type of design involves purposeful decision-making about how to use the elements and principles of art in a cohesive way. Students will be asked to demonstrate proficiency in 2-D design using a variety of art forms such as graphic design, typography, digital imaging, photography, and/or collage by completing mini-concentrations through-out the course. Although this is a photography course, there are some projects that are not entirely photo based. The purpose of this curriculum is to prepare the Photo 2 student for the Photo 3 and/or AP 2D Design Portfolio course.

Assignments / Mini-Concentrations Students will work diligently on projects and mini-concentrations to create a portfolio of work that will include at least 12 quality pieces by May. A portfolio is required of each student planning to enrolled in the AP-2DD (AP Photo) class. Portfolios will need to be saved to a personal external drive as well as saved on the teacher’s computer or external drive for archival purposes.

Mini-Concentrations are a group of work (usually 3-4 pieces) that is conceptually related and shows growth and discovery. Students should devote considerable time, effort and thought to the investigation of their topic. Work in this area should also reflect conscious use of design elements and principles as organizational factors. You will be working individually to develop your mini- concentration. However, if sufficient progress is not being made (deadlines are not being met), then expect specific assignments from the teacher.

Individual and Class Critiques Individual and class critiques will be held through-out the year; individual critiques will usually be turned in with the project and class critiques will usually be held within 1-2 days after a project or mini- concentration is due. All students are expected to submit their work for review (finished or not) and actively participate in the critique. Critiques are held for the purpose of evaluation of progress and the proficient use of the art elements/principles in the student work. Critiques are NOT used to ridicule, humiliate or belittle anyone or their work

Copyright/Plagiarism All work must be your own. Any photographs used must be composed and taken by the student. You may not use photographs taken by the teacher, another student or another artist. Work based on the work of another artist must not merely duplicate the artist’s work, but be an expression of your own artistic voice. Use of images from the internet are not allowed due to copyright laws. Attendance and Class Rules Attendance will be kept and the guidelines set forth by the student code of conduct will be followed. Students are expected to be in school every day. In addition, students are expected to follow the acceptable use guidelines for using school computers and the internet. Classroom guidelines are posted in the classroom. Tardies will be counted.

Grading Policy Students will receive grades based upon mastery of photographic and art design skills, time spent on task, effort, creativity, and meeting goals. Progress checks will also be given as daily grades. Grades will be given according to district policy, with an earned grade of at least 70 to receive credit for the course. At least six grades will be taken each six weeks. Progress reports will be sent home to the parents of those students who are failing or near failing. Students in a Pre-AP / AP course must maintain a 75 or above average or risk being removed from the course. The grade distribution is as follows: 50% Classwork (classwork, critiques, progress) 50% Assessments (projects)

Extra credit Extra credit assignments are not given. Students that participate in class and complete assignments will be successful.

Make up work It is the student’s responsibility to ask for make up work if he or she is absent. If a student has an excused absence, the student will have one class session for each day missed to make up any work. If an absence is school related (for example, a field trip or sports event), the student will need to complete the assignment while absent and turn the work in upon return to school. In this case, a student may be held responsible for meeting previously set due dates for assignments. Late work will be given a grade no higher than a 70.

Staying after school The computer lab and classroom will be available before and after school by appointment. If a student plans to arrive early or stay after school, he or she should let the teacher know as soon as possible. The lab will be shut down by 3:45pm every day if there are no students scheduled to work after school.

Cameras We will use digital SLR cameras in the classroom. It is best if you have your own digital camera to use for this class but it is not required. Students will have access to the classroom cameras but they should be prepared to share as there are a limited number of cameras. If you have a camera you would like to use, bring it to class to determine if it is suitable. Phone cameras are not acceptable. Students are financially responsible for any damage to the photographic or computer equipment.

VASE The Visual Arts Scholastic Event takes place in February (usually at AHS). Students are highly encouraged to participate. Students must meet all UIL requirements to be eligible. A select number of students receiving a score of 4 will be invited to attend state VASE in April. It is an honor to be invited to compete and a real disappointment if you become ineligible and cannot go. Students selected to compete at state VASE will have their expenses for food, lodging and transportation paid for by the district. Letter Jackets Students are able to receive a letter jacket or “letter” in Photography. To “letter”, students must have taken, at minimum, Pre-AP Photo 2 and AP Photo. Students cannot letter if they do not take AP Photo. Students must enter all photo/art competitions that are open to their level as required by the teacher. Photo 2 students will need to enter VASE and score a 4 on one or more of his/her entries. As an AP student, s/he will be required to enter VASE, Young Masters, and submit an AP Portfolio. S/he must score a 4 on his/her VASE entry(s), be accepted into Young Masters, and score at least a 3 on the AP Portfolio.

Class Calendar The first semester will be spent learning the basic functions of a digital SLR, Photoshop, and rules of composition by completing teacher assigned projects that emphasize the different design elements and principles. Second semester will be spent increasing your skills and knowledge of composition and Photoshop. Remember, you are expected to develop a portfolio of work. Assignments/due dates on this calendar are subject to change. Pay attention in class . Breadth Assignment Key Areas Due Week 1 Pre-AP expectations Various and introduction to photography Week 2 Camera functions, Shutter Speed, Class critique Friday Photoshop Tutorial Aperture, ISO; Due Friday Modifying selections, cut/paste, scale Week 3 Action Photos Freeze, Blur, Pan Action Due Friday Week 4 Aperture Depth of Field Due Friday Week 5 Elements of Art Line, emphasis Individual critiques Wed. Group Critique Friday Due

Week 6 Elements of Art / Shape, Texture Friday Class critique Photoshop tutorial Thurs. -Levels Due Friday

Week 7 Principles of Art / Repetition, Balance, Individual critiques Phototshop Tutorial Unity; Wed. Selections, feathering, Due Friday inverse selections, Gaussian Blur Week 8 Manual Mode; Exposure Class critique Friday High Key/Low Key Due Friday Scrolls Week 9 Resource artists: Barbara Rhythm and Line Individual critiques Crane Thurs. Due Friday Week 10 Combines Texture, shape, form Class critique Friday Resource artists: Barbara Due Friday Crane Week 11/12 Schisms; Mat Cutting and Balance, movement, Class critique both presentation line, shape Fridays Resource artists: Barbara Due Friday Week 11 Crane Week 13/14 Photographic Style/Story Art history, illustration, Class critique Friday Book design Due Friday week 13 Week 15/16 Digital Photo Collage Space, texture, color, Individual critiques Resource artist: Maggie unity, shape, pattern, Wed. Taylor balance Due Friday Week 15 Week 17 Ben Heine Class critique Friday Resource artists: Charles Art history, balance, Due Friday Sheeler color, value Week 18 CD Cover Color, emphasis, shape, Due Friday Week 19 Cartoon Cel design, illustration Due Friday Week 20 Poster Design design, illustration Progress Check Friday

Week 21 Individual Concentration #1 due Friday Critique Friday Week 22 Individual Concentration #2 due Friday Class critique Friday Week 23 Individual Concentration Progress Check Friday 14 image check Week 24 Individual Concentration #3 due Friday Individual critique Wed. Week 25 Individual Concentration Progress Check Friday Week 26 Individual Concentration #4 due Friday Class critique Friday Week 27 Individual Concentration #5 due Friday Individual critique Class critique Thurs. Week 28 Individual Concentration Progress Check Friday 17 image check Week 29 Individual Concentration #6 due Friday Class critique Week 30 Individual Concentration #7 due Friday Class critique Week 31 Individual Concentration #8 due Friday Week 32 Individual Concentration #9 due Friday 20 image check Week 33 Individual Concentration #10 due Friday Class critique Week 34 Individual Concentration Progress Check Friday Week 35 Individual Concentration #11, #12 due Friday . Week 36 Portfolios due/Recruiting trip 24 images total check; recruiting based on admin permission

AP Book Resources

Airey, Theresa. Creative Digital Printmaking. Amphoto Books, 2001. Airey, Theresa. Creative Photo Printmaking. Amphoto Books, 1996. Barrett, Terry. Criticizing Photographs, 3rd ed. McGraw Hill, 2000. Busselle, Michael. Creative Digital Photography. Amphoto Books, 2002. Crane, Barbara, Challenging Vision. University of Chicago Press, 2009. Frost, Lee. The A-Z of Creative Photography. Amphoto Books, 1998. Frost, Lee. The Creative Photography Handbook. David & Charles, 2003. Galer, Mark. Foundations for Art & Design, 3rd ed. Focal Press, 2004. Gatto, Joseph A., Porter, Albert W. and Selleck, Jack. Exploring Visual Design. Davis Publications, 2000. Hapkemeyer, Andreas and Peter Weiermair. Photo Text Text Photo. Edition Stemmle, 1997. Hirsch, Robert and Valentino, John. Photographic Possibilities, 2nd ed. Focal Press, 2001. Hirsch, Robert. Seizing the Light: A History of Photography. McGraw-Hill, 2000. Hope, Terry. Still Life: Developing Style in Creative Photography. Rotovision SA, 2001. Lea, Derek. Creative Photoshop CS4, Focal Press, 2009. London, Barbara and others. Photography, 8th ed. Prentice Hall, 2005. Roukes, Nicholas. Design Synectics. Davis Publications, 1988. Standen, Amy. Maggie Taylor’s Landscape of Dreams. Adobe Press Books, 2005. Uelsmann, Jerry. Other Realities. Bulfinch Press, 2005. Wilde, Judith and Richard Wilde. Visual Literacy. Watson-Guptill Publications, 1991. Worobiec, Tony and Ray Spence. Photo Art. Amphoto Books, 2003.