Course Syllabus: Digital Photography

2016-2017 Trimester One

Koa Computer Lab
Instructor: Janet Powell
Email: Janet@ischool.org
Office: Maile
Course Description: Students will be introduced to the basics of digital photography.
This course will focus on the use of digital camera controls to create a variety of
photographic styles. Instruction in composition, design and aesthetics will provide the
tools that will allow students to recognize and appreciate outstanding photographic
images and be able to communicate visually in this medium.
General Objectives:
1. The student will understand how images are captured in digital format.
2. The student will be able to see and photograph images in a deliberate and
creative manner.
3. The student will know how to use a DSLR camera to create different
photographic styles.
4. The student will develop a deeper understanding of photography as a form of
communication and an art form.

Students
Specific
will
Objectives:
...

Understand the difference between operating a digital camera in automatic,

semiautomatic and manual camera modes
Understand the use of ISO, shutter speed and aperture and how each affects the
look of a photograph
Be able to identify elements of composition and visual design and be able to
apply those principles to their own work
Be familiar with different file formats
Be able upload photos from a camera and share them in an online setting
Be able to tell a story using photographs

Grading:
Final grades are based on the following:
Participation/Conduct - 20%
Quizzes- 20%
Projects- 60%
Supplies:
Students will need to provide their own DSLR camera.
Policies:
Students will follow all Island School rules outlined in the Student Handbook. All
photographs must be of an appropriate nature. No nudity, explicit language, or any
other material that is not appropriate for use in a school setting.
Assignments: Assignments not turned in on the due date will result in loss of points. If
you need extra time then an email must be sent to me. A verbal notification will not
suffice. Once the email has been sent and you have received an email back from me,
you will have 3 extra school days to complete the assignment. Please see point system
for late work below.
Assuming you have received a hundred percent. Late work will result in the
following scores.
Week after due date: 89%
Two weeks after due date: 79%
Three weeks after due date: 69%
Etc.
Google Classroom
Use Classroom Code: wwwj4xs
Content Materials:
We will be using the website http://www.r-photoclass.com/ and content from a
variety of photography books.

Schedule

gh the trimester

Date

Content

Assignment

Aug. 22
(4 classes)

1. Review Syllabus, classroom

procedures, and technology rules
outlined in handbook
2. Google Classroom, Weebly
3. Twitter
4. R-class intro
(http://www.r-photoclass.com/01-i
ntroduction/)
5. Basic shots

Sign up for Twitter

Post handle on Google
Classroom
Create Weebly Site for
Portfolio
Twitter post:
#ISfavphoto
Basic Shots (Google
Classroom)

Aug. 29
(3 classes)

1. CAPs (Composition, Angle,

Postitionhttp://www.hawaiicreativemedia.o
rg/activities-blog/caps )
2. DSLR Tech Training

Sep. 6
(4 classes)

1. Focal length (Videohttp://goo.gl/bX74ct)

2. Exposure triangle overview
(R-photo- http://goo.gl/ebEQB4)
3. Shutter Speed (Video
http://goo.gl/eDMSCcor R-photo
http://goo.gl/vEhw8J)
4. Photographic Style: Capture
motion/motion blur/freeze motion

2 photos capturing
motion and 2 photos
freezing motion (Google
Classroom)
10 photos to Weebly
site
Twitter post:
#ISshutterspeed

Sep. 12
(4 classes)

1. Exposure Triangle: Aperture

2. Photographic Style: Deep or
shallow depth of field

4 photos showing 2
shallow and 2 deep
depths of field (Google
Classroom)
10 photos to Weebly
site
Twitter post
#ISaperture

Sep. 19
(4 classes)

- Exposure Triangle: ISO

Photographic Style: Specific exposures

Twitter post

- Metering Modes
*Sep. 19 or 20 Field Trip to
Sep. 26
(5 classes)

- Autofocus/Manual Focus
- Lighting(Hard, soft, silhouette, etc)
- Flash
- Genres (Nature, Portrait, etc)

4 photos with different

lighting
Twitter post

Oct. 3
(4 classes)

- Start October photo challenge

Twitter post

*Midterms

Oct. 10
Oct. 17
(4 classes)

Twitter post

Oct. 24
(4 classes)

- Storytelling

Oct. 31
(4 classes)

- Work on final project

- Work on Weebly (Portfolio)

Nov. 7
(3 classes)

- Work on final project

- Work on Weebly (Portfolio)

Nov. 14
(1 class + Final)

*Oct. 25 or 26 Field Trip?

Photographic Styles
Assessment
Twitter post

Final Project