Photo 1 Syllabus
Digital Photography 1 2022-2023
Teacher: Rebecca Cauchon
http://cauchonphotoclass.edublogs.org/
(909) 357-6300 x16336
Course Description
Digital Photography is a yearlong introduction to the digital camera as an art-making tool designed for students at the beginning level. The course will use digital photography to help students learn and apply the basic elements of art and the principles of design. This course will also provide students with opportunities to extend their knowledge and skills in the field of photography and the use of Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Digital Photography will familiarize the student with digital photographic equipment, materials, methods, and processes. Visual problem solving skills are explored through the use of the computer as the main tool for creative expression and communication. Cellphone photography and editing with a variety of phone applications will be infused in the curriculum. Students create their own blogsites as a place to exhibit their projects and portfolio work. Self promotion of student photography is encouraged and beginning social media marketing is introduced. Students can earn certifications in the field of digital photography. Course is articulated with Chaffey College and San Bernardino Valley College.
Topics:
Exposure Triangle
Camera Modes
Flash Modes
ISO settings
White Balance
Drive Modes
Lens Focal Length
Exposure Compensation
Focusing Options
Depth of Field
Macro Photography
Portraiture
Landscape
Action Photography
Still Life
Candid Photography
Indoor Photography
Fine Art Photography
Black and White (Monochrome)
Techniques of Lighting
Photography Composition
Photomontage and Collage
Surrealism, Cubism, Impressionism
Image Editing (Using Photoshop and Lightroom)
High Dynamic Range (H.D.R.) Photography
Cellphone Photography and Editing
Beginning Social Media Marketing
Written Photo Critiques: This is a writing assignment that will be attached to all photo assignments. Students will critique one intriguing photograph, which relates to the current assignment and explain what makes it a good photograph. Students will also critique their own work and the work of their peers.
What I am looking for:
Time and effort put into your projects
Interesting and creative ideas
Good technical quality
Participation and active engagement with the material discussed in class
Participation in critiques
Norms for Photo Class:
*Cameras ON during class meetings (please)
*Microphones OFF (unless you are speaking)
*Backgrounds blurred
*Dedicate the class time to your photography
*Be respectful online
*Think about your digital footprint and how it follows you
*Never, and I repeat NEVER steal anyone else’s work,and never plagiarize.
*Work hard for your grade.
*Do your photography and writing assignments and hand them in ON TIME
*Participate in class discussions
*Take care of yourself
*Eat healthy. Exercise. Get outside every day
*Be careful with your words, think before you speak, take your time and listen. Respect your self, your classmates, your educator and environment/community.
Shooting:
Experiential learning takes place in an outdoor or community setting. Through this experience students will develop leadership team building and photographic skills in an environment that is outside the classroom.
Imagery:
Students have artistic freedom within the boundaries of school policy. Promoting drugs, violence, sex, gangs or racism is against school policy.
Food:
NO FOOD OR DRINK IN CLASSROOM
Grading
Projects & Assignments/50%
Portfolios/20%
Presentations/10%
Exams, Midterm and Finals/10%
Citizenship and Participation/10%
Students may, at any time, return to a previous assignment to add further enhancements and receive a better grade on any project with the exception of the midterm and final.
Course Objectives:
Upon Completion of this course, students will:
– Understand technical and aesthetic differences between traditional and digital photography.
– Make informed choices about composition when photographing and editing digital images.
– Make informed choices about appropriate technologies for use in a variety of photographic assignments
– Analyze and discuss complex ideas in works of art and photography.
– Create original works of art of increasing complexity and skill that reflect their feelings and point of view.
– Describe the relationship involving the art maker, the process, the product and the viewer.
– Demonstrate proper camera and digital processing techniques in production of a work of art
– Understand and utilize the steps in the creative process
– Realize the vast amount of career choices in the visual arts.
. Produce an accomplished portfolio of work and an applicable resume
Units:
Introduction to Digital SLR Photography and Cellphone Photography
Learning the Lab
Digital Workflow
Factors to consider in a digital camera
Setting up student blogs for sharing and grading
Exposure and Light Metering
Learn photography vocabulary: aperture, shutter speed, ISO
Equivalent Exposures
Camera Metering
Camera Modes
Shooting assignment: Texture
Quiz, grading rubric, peer critique and self assessment
Lenses and Optics
Learning about focal lengths
Lenses and f stop numbers
Science of Optics
Quiz
Composition and Learning How to See
Ways to get images with strong composition
Samples of good composition
Shooting Assignment: Shadows and Light
Shooting assignment: Alternative camera angles
Shooting assignment: Framing a subject
Critiquing, analyzing and evaluating photography
Critique Writing
Grading rubric, peer critique and self assessment
Learning Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom
File Management
Learning the Photoshop and Lightroom workspace
Toolbar and Option Bar
Image Adjustments
Image Extensions
Saving and sizing image
Image Output
Lighting Techniques
Natural vs. Artificial Lighting
Demonstration
Use of Reflectors
Tungstun Lighting with “hot lights”
Assignment: Natural Light Portrait with reflector
Grading rubric, writing critique peer critique and self assessment
History and Invention in Photography
Lecture and Discussion: Pioneers and Early Techniques
Invention and key terminology
Slide Show
Make History Timeline
Quiz
Depth of Field and Aperture Control
Understand the concept Depth of Field
Technical overview and factors which effect depth of field
Camera operations and modes
Focal lengths and zoom lenses
Shooting assignment: Comparing depth of field at different apertures and lenses
Quiz, writing critique, grading rubric, peer critique and self assessment
Action and Motion in Photography and Controlling the Shutter Speeds
Understand and compare Shutter Speed effects
Techniques and terminology of action and motion in photography
Use of tripod under 60th of a second
Setting the ISO higher
Shooting assignment: Take a photo of both action sharp and motion blur using different shutter speeds
Quiz, writing critique, grading rubric, peer critique, and self assessment
Photographer Research
Discussion, Lecture and Slide Show on photographers past and present
Project: Photographer Research Project with presentation to share with class
Grading rubric, peer critique, and self assessment
Studio Lighting for Portraiture and Still Life Photography
Lecture and Demonstration of studio hot lights
Key terminology and Lighting Techniques
Lighting Patterns and Ratios
Shooting assignment: Portraits in studio with hot lights
Shooting Assignment: Still life and Product Photography
Grading rubric, writing critique peer critique and self assessment
Self Portraits
Learn self-timer camera controls
Explore work by photographers
Realistic vs. conceptual representation
Incorporate words and imagery
Shooting assignment: Self Portrait with describing words
Shooting assignment: Conceptual self-portrait
Grading rubric, writing critique, peer critique and self assessment
Photoshop Techniques
Learn a variety of Photoshop techniques
Assignments: Triptychs, Diptychs, Pop Art, Mirror Imagery
Grading rubric, writing critique, peer critique and self assessment
On and Off Camera Flash Photography
Develop understanding of when and how to use flash
Differentiate between direct and bounced flash and the use of fill flash outside
Understand flash synchronization
Use multiple flashes with slave units
Assignment: On-Location Portrait using bounced flash
Article readings and response.
Quiz
Grading rubric, peer critique and self assessment
Candid Photography and Capturing the Decisive Moment
Capturing the decisive moment
Looking at the work of Henri Cartier Bresson
Higher ISO settings, camera and external flash use
Explore newspaper and magazine photography
Shooting assignment: Capturing a candid moment with appropriate caption
Grading rubric, peer critique and self assessment
Studio Strobe Lighting Techniques
Explore the use of studio strobe techniques for portrait and advertising photography
Demonstration with student volunteers
Learn key concepts of main lighting patterns and ratios, and flash metering
Assignment: Studio Portrait
Assignment: Magazine Advertising Photography with proposal
Quiz, Teacher grading rubric, peer critique and self assessment
Re-create a Photograph
Research and evaluate a variety of photography from books, magazines and Internet to generate ideas
Assignment: Re-create an existing photograph
Grading rubric, peer critique and self assessment
Blending Art and Photography
Students learn about Surrealism, Pop Art, Cubism, Photomontage, and Photo Painting
Explore the concept of mixing mediums
Assignment: Extending a Photograph with Mixed Media
Assignment: Create a work of Surrealism using Photography, Photoshop and Internet
Assignment: Cubism: Make a Face
Artist matching quiz
Teacher grading rubric, peer critique and self assessment
Output: Printing, Portfolio Presentation, and Exhibiting Work
Explore ways to output imagery
Discuss and compare the difference between inkjet and laser jet printing
Printing Digital Photography
Matting and Presentation
Portfolio preparation and electronic portfolios
Exhibiting work at local galleries
Teacher rubric for final portfolio presentation
Peer critique and self assessment
2020-2021 Schedule
Hi! Absolutely LOVE the info/photos/assignments on this blog….I began a photography class in my middle school this year and had some trouble organizing a way for the students to submit the photos to me. At first, we used flash drives….with 180 kids I just couldn’t…I also knew that I did not want them to email me their photos/assignments….how do your students upload photos for you to review and grade???