VA 428 PINHOLE PHOTOGRAPHY Instructor: Stephanie Paine SUMMER 2011 Email: [email protected] Office / Hours: FASS 2118 / BY APPOINTMENT INTRODUCTION : The camera obscura, or literally dark room, was once considered a phenomenal device that was capable of projecting on its inside images of the outside world. Though upside-down and reversed, these projections were immediately recognized by 16th and 17th century draftsmen and artists as useful in creating more accurate representations of the world. The camera obscura also led to the birth of photography as it aided experimenters in their attempts to record an image onto a chemically sensitized surface. Even the mechanical photographic camera owes its basic structural design to the properties of the camera obscura. Though developments in technology made its use obsolete in the image-making process, a revival of similar devices has occurred throughout the 20th century. Lens-less, or pinhole, cameras were utilized by Pictorialist photographers, who were interested in using its abilities to create soft focused, painterly-like images. And pinhole cameras continue to appeal to amateur, professional and fine art photographers as both an exciting novelty and a serious pursuit in artistic expression. DESCRIPTION : This studio course introduces the student to a variety of lens-less camera building techniques and photographic pinhole aesthetics. The course will discuss the uses of lens-less photography in historical and contemporary contexts. Students will be expected to work diligently during class hours. Each assignment will build upon the previous so it is crucial that the student attend each class session. The course will begin with a simple matchbox camera and advance to telephoto, wide-angle, panoramic and digital pinhole cameras. **Prerequisites or experience are not required, but an interest in experimental photography is best suited for this course. Required Text: Articles and readings will be provided by the instructor. Recommended Text: Pinhole Photography: From Historic Technique to Digital Application , By Eric Renner, 2008, 4 th Edition MATERIALS : Matchbox, gum box, or other small boxes Tin Can or Cola Can (several for creating lenses) Milk box(es) Black tape (recommended Duct tape or electrical tape) Black construction paper/thick paper/cardboard Black foam board/photo board Black paint and a brush (recommended one large tube of acrylic) Black markers / Sharpies Various sewing needle sizes Fine grit sand paper Glue Scissors / Exacto Knife 120 and 35mm Film (black and white and/or color positive film) *film will be processed outside of class time at a commercial studio Digital SLR camera (can be borrowed from FASS) AND 1 used camera body cap ASSIGNMENTS : Assignments will be due weekly and consist of a pinhole camera and the submission of four images. Class time will be comprised of demonstrations, instructor guidance, critique sessions, and digital image processing. GRADING : Weekly Assignments: 75 points Grading Scale: Final Project: 20 points 93-100% A Presentation: 5 points 90-92% A- Final Grade out of 100 points 87-89% B+ 83-86% B 80-82% B- 77-79% C+ 73-76% C 70-72% C- 67-69% D+ 60-66% D Below 60% F ATTENDANCE : Attendance is mandatory for all scheduled classes and is essential to your success in this course. Attendance will be taken only once during the class period. Students arriving 15 minutes late or more will be considered absent. Students leaving class early or not returning to class after the break will also be considered absent. There are no excused absences. ATTENDANCE WILL INFLUENCE THE FINAL GRADE AS FOLLOWS: Upon reaching the second absence, the student’s final grade will be lowered by one full letter grade; the third absence will result in a lowering of two letter grades; and four absences will result in a failing grade. POLICIES : ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AT SABANCI UNIVERSITY Violations of academic integrity include cheating in classroom examinations; plagiarism in take-home examinations, homework assignments, essays, thesis and artistic work; fabrication and misrepresentation of facts and data; and assistance to others in commission of these acts, spontaneous or premeditated. These violations undermine values of fairness, honesty and trust in the academic environment and distort the process by which knowledge is shared and evaluated. The academic integrity investigation procedure is a fundamental component of our commitment to maintain a productive climate of learning and a vibrant academic life. A student whose work or behavior is considered to have contravened the principles of academic integrity faces academic consequences. If determined that a violation of this policy has occurred, the student may receive a failing grade for the assignment/examination and/or course. Schedule Subject to revisions Week 1: Lecture: The Pinhole Camera—Historical Review In-Class Research and Presentation: Pinhole Artists and Aesthetics Assignment One: Match Box Camera and 4 Images Week 2: Critique of Assignment One Assignment Two: Multiple Lenses and 4 Images Week 3: Critique Assignment Two Photoshop Demonstration: Scanning and Color Corrections Assign Final Project Concept Assignment Three: Wide Angle / Telephoto Cameras and 4 Images Week 4: Critique Assignment Three Presentation of Final Project Concept Assignment Four: Panoramic Camera and 2 Images Week 5: Critique of Assignment Four Assignment Five: Digital Pinhole Camera and 4 Images Week 6: Critique Assignment Five Studio for Final Portfolio Rough draft of artist statement due Week 7: Final Portfolio Due Artist Statement PDF 10 – 12 Images submitted in digital format, jpegs / CD .