Basic Photography, 157 CMS, OCTC

Monty Helm, Assistant Professor

Time: M 5:50 to 8:30
Place: Academic Building 115 and Darkroom 2nd floor Library Learning Center
Office Hours: MWF 10 a.m. to Noon and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Humanities Bldg.: Office, Room 125 - or Art Studio, Room 133

Prerequisite: none
Text: No text.
Supplies: See supply list.

Course Description: Photographic techniques such as composition, lighting, exposure control, and skills needed by a photojournalist. Other topics may include using digital cameras, digital file formats, enhancing the digital image, and structuring the digital image. Lab component may include the use of a computer with photo imaging software and/or a darkroom using film cameras and enlargers.

Course Objectives: The course objectives are to teach the students how to create photographs in a professional manner and to understand the basic process of the camera, film, and development.

Course Outline:
History of Photography
The Camera: The Body and Lens, Settings
Film: Types and Speeds.
Lighting: Meters, Sunlight, Controlled Lighting, Flash.
Darkroom Technique:
Developing film, Contact Sheets, The Enlarger, Chemical Baths, Black & White Printing
Portfolio and Presentation
Digital Photography
Experimental Photography
Career in Photography: Guest Photographer

Required Assignments:
I. Two Portfolios (Midterm and Final)
Midterm: Still Life, Nature and Urban 30 points
Final Portfolio: Documentary and Portrait 30 points
II. Dark Room Technique
Negative and Contact Sheets 10 points
III. Camera Technique
Field Journal 10 points
IV. Independent Presentation:
Outside Portfolio 20 points
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Grading: Grading is based on the evidence of mastery of technique; originality of idea/s; ability to communicate effectively visually through the photographs and literally through written and verbal critiques; degree of seriousness reflected through participation and attendance.

Critiques: All students are required to attend and participate in the portfolio critiques; work must be completed prior to the critique; and students should be prepared to discuss their developments and the work of their peers.

Attendance and promptness: Students MUST attend the entire class period. Darkroom sessions, lectures and critiques are virtually impossible to make-up. 2 will merit a drop in letter grade. 3 absences merit a failing grade.
Academic Dishonesty: Acts of academic dishonesty will constitute a failing grade in the course and will be reported to the Dean of the School of Liberal Arts.

Class, Darkroom and Studio policy:
1.All students are required to maintain a serious academic attitude. If this cannot be maintained the student will be given a failing grade for the session and asked to leave. If this reoccurs the student will receive a failing grade in the course and will be reported to the Dean of the School of Liberal Arts.
2. Student may not have guests during any of the class or darkroom sessions.
3. Clean-up your area before you leave. Follow proper darkroom procedure in maintaining all chemicals and equipment. Do not leave work out and unattended. Be considerate of others in darkroom housekeeping.
4. Actions of sexual harassment or aggressive behavior will not be tolerated and will be reported in accordance to KCTCS procedure.

General Education Competencies
Think Critically
Demonstrate problem solving through interpreting, analyzing, summarizing, and/or integrating a variety of materials. This will be accomplished through various approaches both intellectually and technically in the creation of photography.

QEP: Action and Creation (Level 4) A primary goal in the Photography course will be demonstrated through the creation of photographs that display accomplishment in technique, personal expression, and serious exploration of ideas. Success in this will be measured through regularly scheduled classroom critiques where each of these aspects will be carefully analyzed and discussed. Furthermore, a selection of work will be publicly exhibited at the end of the semester in a gallery setting - in this the student will have the opportunity to experience an examination of their artworks by a diverse audience. The most excellent works will submitted to OCTC E-Gallery, pending permission of the student. This online presentation of the student's work is designed to display the success of the student, the course, and the college. A second venue for public display for is the annual publication of the Skylark , OCTC's Literary Art's Journal. A selection of photographs that display each of the previously stated characteristics in the most excellent manner will be considered for publication in this journal.
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Photographic Supply List
35 mm SLR Camera. Manual Capabilities.
10 rolls Black and White Film: (T Max 400 Speed)
25 Sheets of Black and White Photographic Paper
Negative Sleeves
Black or Gray Ringed Binder
Small pocket Notebook and Class Notebook

Recommended but not required
Tripod
Light Meter
Digital Camera
Photoshop

Suppliers

Weirs (Owensboro) behind Wesleyan Park Plaza
Henry's Camera Repair (Evansville) - 1014 W Franklin St, (812) 425-5122
Schmitt Photo (Evansville) - 4847 Plaza East Blvd (812) 473-0245


Basic Session Outline:

January 8 Introductory
January 15 Martin Luther King Day (No Class)
January 22 Camera (basic Functions) ; Film (BW, Color, Slide); Shooting; Composition; Value and Light
January 29 Basic Darkroom Techniques: Chemicals, Equipment, and Process
February 5 Film Development
February 12 Paper Development
February 19 Presidents Day (No Class)
February 26 Studio Photography and (Dark Room Sessions)
March 5 Spring Break (No Class
March 12 Candid Photography and (Dark Room Sessions)
March 19 The Portfolio and Dark Room Sessions)
March 26 Digital Photography and Files
April 2 Photo Shop and Dark Room Sessions)
April 9 (Dark Room Sessions)
April 16 (Dark Room Sessions)
April 23 (Dark Room Sessions) Last Session
April 30 Final Critique

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