Intro to Media- Class Syllabus (Course Outline) Mr. Le Roy’s 2012-2013 Description: This class provides students with a basic understanding of graphic imaging / digital photography as a method of communication and as an artistic media. The digital camera and computer software, such as Adobe Photoshop, replaces the traditional darkroom and is used to capture and manipulate photographic images. Photographic composition and the meaning of those images will be stressed. The students will create portfolios of digital photographs that emulate traditional photographic processes and media. These portfolios will serve as the student’s midterm and final exam and should represent their understanding of the class work. Units of Study Units focus on developing an understanding of the elements of media arts and the principles of design to express meaning through graphic imaging. Units are based on specific themes and chapters from Adobe Photoshop CS4 Classroom in a Book. I use these as tools for focusing students on creating meaning through their photographic images / media production. By the end of the class, students will not only be able to create and communicate through graphic imaging, but will also be able to evaluate the effectiveness and the impact of their own work and the work of others. The units of study for this year include: UNIT 1 (Weeks 1-4) Basic Information Photoshop basics—the toolbox and shortcuts (Adobe Photoshop CS4, Classroom in a Book, pages 11-54) Types of Digital Cameras Composition Guidelines Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority Principles of Photographic Composition Assignments: “All About Me” – shoot a series of objects that represent you. Do not take portraits of yourself Art Elements and Design Principles: Rule of Thirds (Breaking up the photographic image) Line (Perspective) Frame Within a Frame (Composition) Abstract Close Up Cropping/Filling the Frame (The Four Corners of the Viewfinder) Point of View (avoiding the 5’7‖ inch problem) Texture and Pattern Total number of photos required: 10 photos (40%) Notebook/Sketchbook (20%): o Essential Questions: How to Build a Composition. How point of view effects proportion and emotion o How do artists/photographers generate visual interest and create visual flow within their images? How does point of view contribute to the visual impact of a photograph? o Personal Artist Statement / Reflection about your ―All About Me” images as a group UNIT 2 (Weeks 4-8) Photoshop basics—Lesson 2 and Lesson 3 (Adobe Photoshop CS4, Classroom in a Book, pages 57-101) File Formats Color Modes Bit-Depth Perspective/Angle of view Symmetry, Balance, Repetition, Simplicity Software Applications and tools for adjusting hue, saturation, curves, brightness and contrast Spaces and Perspective Assignments: Lines – three different and distinct types (From Man Made Structures) Man Made Environments – Interiors & Exteriors (2 each) Geometrical forms & Organic forms Total number of photos required: 10 photos (40%) Notebook/Sketchbook (20%): Notebook: o Personal Artist Statement / Reflection on UNIT 3 (Weeks 9-12) Photoshop basics—Lesson 4 and Lesson 5 (Adobe Photoshop CS4, Classroom in a Book, pages 103-170) Tool Box Overview – focus on selection tools Selective blur to add depth of field Selective color, saturation and value treatment Selection tool options, feathering, cutting, pasting, layer opacity Adjusting Exposure – burning and dodging tools Color Management – color balance for the computer American Culture – (People, Places, Things) Assignments: People in your neighborhood – What defines your community / culture? (Two photo’s with people, Two without people) Total number of photos required: 10 photos (40%) Notebook/Sketchbook (20%): Essential Questions: What is your community and how do you feel about it? o How do artists/photographers add personal style and meaning to their work to represent ideas, thoughts, and feelings about their own community? o Personal Artist Statement / Reflection UNIT 4 (Weeks 13-14) Photoshop basics—Lesson 6 (Adobe Photoshop CS4, Classroom in a Book, pages 173-209) Hue, Contrast, Value, Intensity Art and Abstractions of Light Assignments: Natural Light Interior Long Exposure Shot (2) Shadows (2) Reflections and Transparency (2) Total number of photos required: 10 photos (40%) Notebook/Sketchbook (20%): Essential Questions: How does light affect an interior space? o What role do shadows play in a composition? What is the benefit of using a quick mask? How do channels differ from layers? o Personal Artist Statement / Reflection PLEASE NOTE: We are almost at the end of the first semester of our school year! Your midterm portfolios are due Thursday, January 21st 2010. The guidelines for your midterm portfolio are available (we will review these guidelines during class) It is extremely important that you see Mr. Le Roy with any questions- A.S.A.P.!!! (Midterm Portfolio/Exam 25%) UNIT 5 (Weeks 15-18) Photoshop basics—Lesson 7 (Adobe Photoshop CS4, Classroom in a Book, pages 210-245) Selections Adjusting Exposure Color Management Creating a Self Portrait Hybrid Self Portrait Illustration Effects Art and Personal Expression (Portraiture) Assignments: Self Portrait (Shoot 20 different photographic portraits of yourself) Layering (convey multiple layers of personality by taking two ―haunting‖ portraits wearing literal and figurative masks) Portraits - Studio Lighting – natural, dramatic, diffused/soft – and convert to Black and White Self Portrait - Play a character from a movie, play, media, etc. Total number of photos required: 30 photos (40%) Notebook/Sketchbook (20%): Interpreting and Expressing Mood Through Images Essential Questions: How do artists/photographers influence the viewers’ mood through their intentional use of color or lack of color? o How does the quality of light influence the message sent to the viewer? o Personal Artist Response / Reflection PLEASE NOTE: This unit concludes the first semester of our school year! Your midterm portfolios are due Thursday, January 21st 2010. The guidelines for your midterm portfolio where provided to you before winter break. See Mr. Le Roy with any questions (Midterm Portfolio/Exam 25%) Review and Reflection (Weeks 19-20) Review Units 1-5 Types of Digital Cameras Composition Guidelines Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority File Formats Color Modes Bit-Depth Perspective/Angle of view Symmetry, Balance, Repetition, Simplicity Software Applications and tools for adjusting hue, saturation, curves, brightness and contrast Tool Box Overview – focus on selection tools Adjusting Exposure – burning and dodging tools Color Management – color balance for the computer Hue, Contrast, Value, Intensity Selections Adjusting Exposure Color Management Midterm Portfolio/Exam Assignments: Your midterm portfolios are due Thursday, January 21st 2010. The guidelines for your midterm portfolio where provided to you before winter break. See Mr. Le Roy with any questions (Midterm Portfolio/Exam 25%) Notebook/Sketchbook (20%): o Essential Questions: How to Build a Composition. How point of view effects proportion and emotion o How do artists/photographers generate visual interest and create visual flow within their images? How does point of view contribute to the visual impact of a photograph? What is your community and how do you feel about it? o How do artists/photographers add personal style and meaning to their work to represent ideas, thoughts, and feelings about their own community? o Personal Artist Statement / Reflection UNIT 6 (Weeks 21-24) Photoshop basics—Lesson 8 and Lesson 9 (Adobe Photoshop CS4, Classroom in a Book, pages 245-310) Studio Lighting - ambient, natural and artificial Shutter Priority Layers, Selections, and Masks Vector Shape Tools Selective Coloring Text Treatment Combination of text and image Multiple image and shape layers The Digital Studio: Package Design and Graphic Imaging Assignments: Product or Event Promotion / Critique - Combining Text and Images Comment on a social issue/theme – Combining Text and Images Total number of photos required: 20 photos (40%) Notebook/ Sketchbook Assignments (20 %): Essential Questions: – Where do you see that change is needed – why? How can this be done? o Journal Question: What is the impact of historical, social, or cultural events on the identity of an individual, community, or region of people? o How does the environment impact or change one’s identity? o How does artist’s/photographer’s style communicate thoughts, ideas, or feelings? o Personal Artist Statement UNIT 7 (Weeks 25-26) Photoshop basics—Review (Adobe Photoshop CS4, Classroom in a Book, Reread pages 57-101) Photo Restoration (Burn, dodge, clone/stamp) Restoration of a damaged photo Abstracting and distorting the image Layering and/or moving, possible mirroring of a single image Scanning Layers, Selections, and Masks Transform/Perspective Art and the Deterioration of Reality Shooting Assignments: Surrealistic Photomontage - ―Dreams, Journals and Conversations‖ What a Hoax – collage images to create a hoax Total number of photos required: 10 photos (40%) Notebook/ Sketchbook Assignments (20 %): Essential Questions: Focusing on Surrealism and hoaxes o Why do hoaxes exist? Who do they serve? Why do we believe in them? Personal Artist Statement UNIT 8 (Weeks 27-28) Photoshop basics—Lesson 10 (Adobe Photoshop CS4, Classroom in a Book, pages 313-337) Cropping Saturation and Contrast Using Replace Color Adding filtration Art and Graphic Elements: Advanced Layering Assignments: Contrasting colors/color themes (Vibrant