Photography 1: Introduction to Photography

Mr. Hensley & Mr. Hanson

Howard High School

Course Description:
In this course, students apply the language of art in producing fine art photographs. Primary experiences will concentrate upon the use of a 35mm single lens reflex camera, film processing, darkroom techniques, print manipulation and the presentation of work. Technical skills evolve through the introduction of pinhole photography and contact printing. Experiences throughout the course will include composing, exposing, processing, enlarging images in the darkroom, and basic experiences in digital imaging.

Course Objectives:
1 Demonstrate proficient technical skill and craftsmanship with various art media when creating images from observation, memory and imagination. 2 Adapt and apply approaches used by master artists and in various cultural exemplars. 3 Articulate choices as a means of creating meaning in final art solutions. 4 Analyze and interpret works of artists to understand how they are influenced by cultural and historical factors. 5 Maintain a cumulative portfolio of class work and related experiences to document the development of ideas and skills. 6 Continue to generate an enriched variety of solutions to art problems through preparatory work, reflection and revision. 7 Identify characteristics and appropriate use of equipment, materials, and processes in making traditional black and white and digital photographs and digital photographs. 8 Analyze and compare ways master photographers find and interpret subject matter to support an idea or theme through the use of the stages of description, analysis, interpretation, and judgment. 9 Recognize various conceptual approaches used by master photographers for personal and public audiences to elicit an emotional response to cultural situations. 10 Maintain an image bank/ sketchbook/visual journal, for the collection and analysis of image characteristics and idea generation. 11 Research requirements and qualifications necessary for entering a career, which utilizes visual arts skills and behavior 12 Construct and practice the use of early photographic techniques, including pinhole photography, clich-verre, and photograms. 13 Demonstrate the appropriate use of 35mm single lens reflex and / or range finder camera to control exposure. 14 Utilize basic black and white photographic processes including composing, exposing, processing, enlarging images in the darkroom, and presenting images. 15 Manipulate and modify a variety of conceptual and personal approaches master photographers use to compose their subjects. 16 Utilize basic digital imaging equipment and software in the production of photographic work. 17 Apply PhotoShop tools to the creation and manipulation of photographic images.

Required Materials:
Each student is required to have a 1 - 1.5 hard shell binder for storing negatives and prints.

Suggested Materials:
35 mm Single Lens Reflex (SLR) Camera with MANUAL focus and exposure settings. Having a camera is not required for this course, however it is extremely helpful to the student. Ask parents, aunts, uncles, family, neighbors, etc. to borrow one for the class. If you are looking to purchase one, I recommend shopping on ebay for a pentax k1000. Sketch book (aproximently 8 x 10) for visual journals and note taking.

Student Expectations:
All students are expected to observe and adhere to all policies defined in the Student Agenda Book regarding lateness and conduct. Lateness will not be tolerated. As a studio class, attendance and promptness are critical to the success of the student in Photo I. There is absolutely no food or drink allowed in the studio. Clear water bottles will be allowed in the classroom section of the studio only. Students are expected to maintain the studio and darkroom. The developing, enlarging and printing of black and white images takes place in the classroom and in the darkroom, where chemicals are used and stored. It is very important that students are serious and thoughtful about their behavior and actions. Dangerous or inappropriate behaviors will result in the loss of darkroom time. Students are responsible to be where they are assigned during the class period. Students are expected to participate in class discussions, critiques and activities. Students are expected to have all materials required for the class with them when class starts. Binders and paper can be permanently stored in the studio. Cameras can be turned in before school starts or brought to class. No student will be permitted to go to

their car / locker to retrieve materials for class.

Sequence 1st offense 2nd offense 3rd offense 4th offense 5th offense

PBIS Discipline Ladder

Contact Person Teacher Teacher Grade Level PBIS Leader Grade Level PBIS Leader Administrator Consequence Teacher Warning and Parental Contact Detention and Parental Contact

Grade Level Coordinator Conference and Parental Contact Assigned Consequence and Parental Contact Assigned Consequence and Parental Contact

Photography / Darkroom Equipment Guidelines:

Because photography requires the use of many expensive, complex equipment and tools, you must treat all tools (cameras, enlargers, filters, darkroom equipment, chemistry, computers, dry-mount press, etc.) with utmost care and respect. Equipment that can be signed out for out-of-school use is used at your discretion. The cost of lost, damaged, or broken cameras, tripods, etc. will be the responsibility of the student who signed out the equipment. Failure to comply with proper use and responsibility of any or all photographic tools and equipment will result in a phone call home and may result in loss of privileges in signing out or using the equipment.

Photography Problem Structure:

We will assess each photo problem while its in progress and/or when it is complete by way of many different methods. These methods may include: written reflections, individual critiques, peer critiques, or (most often) group critiques. Intelligent, thoughtful, and open-minded participation in the assessment process is mandatory, and will affect your marking period grade, (see below). Step 1: Introduction of a New Shooting Assignment. To begin, the instructor will present works by exemplar photographers and previous students that model strong and weak solutions to the problem. Often students will critically analyze the works, and engage in discussions about them together in class. Then a portion of class time will be used to generate ideas for their own solutions to the new problem in their sketchbooks. Step 2: Preliminary work. Students will complete a variety of preliminary brainstorming techniques throughout the year. Some of these include free writing, group discussions, visual journals, and thumbnail sketches. Step 3: Contact Sheets & In-Progress Critiques. After students process their film and make a contact exposure of these images, the student will have an independent in-progress critique/reflection to help the student decide which negatives to print. Occasionally these in-progress critiques will count for a grade. Step 4: Final Class Critique. The final assessment of a students artwork will take place during a final class critique. The final critique is designed to allow students to personally reflect on the success of their own work, as well as their peers. During the final critique, students will: 1) Evaluate and score their final works using the assigned criteria. 2) Participate in the final critique by responding to a written reflection and sharing their thoughts. 3) Students will receive a separate grade for their participation in the critique. Students who are illegally absent the day of the critique will receive a zero for this participation grade. Students who are legally absent that day will receive an incomplete, (will not go against grade) as final class critiques cannot be rescheduled. Step 5: Teacher Assessment. Lastly, the instructor will grade the work based upon the assigned criteria. I will collect the work, along with the evaluation sheet at the end of the final class critique. The grade sheet I will use will be the same as the one the student uses during the critique. Every assignment will be graded using the criteria described below.

Grading Criteria:
Objective Successfully solving the problem in a unique or elegant way. Critical thinking, brainstorming, and the concepts expressed through the work will be assessed in this category. Studio Skills Handling/using the photographic tools and equipment in a way that helps effectively communicate the students solution to the problem. Studio skills may include actual physical processes like correctly selecting the right aperture and shutter speed on the camera, as well as implied skills like demonstrating correct application of principles of composition. A students management of studio time and care for all classroom studio materials will also be assessed in this category. Craftsmanship / Presentation Neatness and respect for your work should be evident in the appearance of a completed assignment. This grade addresses overall presentation and physical care for the artwork and materials in all stages, especially when matting final photographic prints. Design The use of the photographic principles of composition to create an elegant, visual pathway in a photograph. Consideration of how the arrangement of the subject matter and the overall composition of the photograph helps to clarify the concept or idea behind the work. Most times the sketchbook is the tool used to previsualize a strong composition in a photograph.

Academic Integrity:
Each student is responsible for upholding and maintaining academic integrity. If there is a question in reference to a students academic integrity, they will be referred to their administrator by way of a disciplinary referral, given due process, and receive the appropriate consequence based on Howard High Schools Academic Honor Code. Any violation of academic integrity will impact a students eligibility for credit in this course.

Word of the Week

Word of the week - Every two weeks students will be given a word or prompt to shoot for a homework assignment. The word can be interpreted anyway by the student. The students will turn in their work digitally on a Friday. The following Monday, we will have a critique and contest. The winning print will be printed, matted and the student will receive extra credit for the assignment (late work will not be considered for extra credit). Each word is worth 20 points and will be graded on the following categories. Objective: 5 points Did I shoot the problem as its stated? Did I turn in my photograph on time in the appropriate location? Is it a recent photograph? You need to shoot a new photograph for each word. On the rare exception, I will allow older images, however you need to consult me first Shooting Skills / Editing: 10 points Is my image designed well? Is it a snap shot? Is the image high quality? Is it pixellated? I have considered cropping and rotating to enhance my image I have color corrected my image. Description: 5 Points Every image you upload to your online portfolio must have a description that is appropriate for the image. Describe why your image visually describes the prompt / word.

Digital Portfolios
Every student is expected to maintain a digital portfolio. HCPSS uses a program called Mahara which is funded through the school system. Mahara is similar to a social networking site designed for educational purposes. It allows students and teachers from different schools to show and collaborate their work and ideas. We will be using it as a classroom management website for turning in work as well as showcasing individuals work.

Homework
In Photo 1, the bulk of our homework will involve completing shooting assignments. Please plan your time accordingly to complete all shooting assignments on time. In addition to shooting assignments, Photo 1 students will be required to complete visual journals based off of the shooting problem that has been assigned. It is in the students best interest to use their regular class time wisely to complete assignments. If in-class time is not used wisely, more out-of-class work may be the result. Parents can check on all due dates and assignments at any time by looking at the classroom website http://howardphoto.weebly.com/photo-1

Due Dates / Late work:

Assignment deadlines are set at the discretion of the instructor when the assignment is given. It is the students responsibility to make up any missed work due to excused absences, and to collect daily objectives, handouts, and notes. Students are also responsible for scheduling appointments with the teacher to discuss make-up work. If the student is absent on the day an assignment is due, the assignment should be handed in on the following day. Late work from unexcused absences or otherwise will not be given full credit. For each day late you submit any assignment (homework and class-work), after the deadline, you will be deducted one letter grade, (or 10%). up until 50%. Students may turn any assignment (that is practical) into the teacher for half credit by the end of the marking period.

Upgrade / Redo Policy

If a student wishes to upgrade his / her grade, he / she may purchase film ($3.00) and redo the work. He / she may also inquire about completing the work digitally. The two grades will be averaged out to get the final grade for the work. For example, if the student originally earned a 70% and redid the work to earn a 90%, the redone grade would be an 80%. This only applies on final photographs, digital assignments or word of the week problems.

Denial of Credit / absences:

According to county-wide policy, students are not to miss more than 5% of any credited class for the entire school year. Missing studio art classes can place a student in a difficult position for making-up work. All students are responsible for making up missed assignments on their own accord. Only students who provide proper notes documenting an excused absence will be given exemption from the daily letter grade penalty. Students are responsible for keeping all proper documentation to defend their excused absences.

Cell Phones / Electronics

According to HCPSS policy, students my not use any electronics outside of a digital camera in the classroom. However, some students may wish to take digital photographs with their cell phones or tablets. If you decide to take this route, you need to plan ahead and upload your work prior to school. You will not be given permission to use your phone in class to retrieve photographs. In addition to not being able to use your phone, you may not use any device to play music. Students are permitted to listen to music in the computer lab. It must be played at a reasonable volume, appropriate and not be a distraction to others. Students can bring in CDs or store a few songs on their account.

Howard High School Photography Department Syllabus Contract

This syllabus is a contract. By signing below, you and your parents / guardians are acknowledging that you have gone online and read the entire Photo 1 course syllabus, and will abide by and support all of its stated policies.

http://howardphoto.weebly.com/photo-1

(below the calendar)

Student Signature

Parent / Guardian Signature

Student Name (printed)

Parent / Guardian Name (printed)

If you would like to be contacted by me for any reason, please put down your information below. If you have a preference (email or phone) of how you would like to be contacted, please check the box next to the information. Providing this information is optional.

Email

Phone & best time to call

Cameras and photography equipment

I own / can acquire a 35 mm SLR (single lens reflex) camera with manual settings for the use during Photo I. I plan on using the school provided cameras to complete the course work in Photo I.

I have photography equipment (cameras, darkroom supplies, etc.) I would like to donate to the Howard Photography Program (please be sure to fill out contact information above)

Donations are tax deductible

Parents, you are more then welcome to check out all of the classroom activities, assignments, student examples and obtain handouts through the Photography 1 website at http://howardphoto.weebly.com/photo-1 Please feel free to contact me anytime through email at Matthew_Hanson@hcpss.org