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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AS 120"
COURSE NAME: "Smartphone Photography"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2018
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Paolo Soriani
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TH 12:30-3:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Smartphone photography can be considered the 21st-century equivalent of Polaroid-style photography, and like this has its own aesthetic. The course will present a disciplined methodology in order to develop a sophisticated photographic language making use of new technologies. It includes an overview of photographic traditions and the work of master photographers, and addresses the problem of taking pictures involving a variety of subjects and topics in various light conditions. It combines theory, technical and media training, and on-site shooting. Students need to be equipped with a smartphone, and may wish to invest in optional extra lenses and equipment.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The aim is to transform passive image collectors into people acquainted with the language and esthetic of the particular medium, through an awareness of its artistic and technical potential. The theoretical part of the courses includes considerations on use of artificial and natural light, on elements of composition, as well as of diverse photographic styles. Training in software elements like Adobe Lightroom 6 CC and Photoshop CC is combined with experience with free apps to augment the technical capacities of the phone, and in the use of certain social media. The whole is contextualized by examination of master photographers and with practical and fieldwork experience.
Students money fund: 50€ for prints and Photo Book

 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Ability to engage in a sophisticated way with the artistic and technical potential of the medium
  • Develop and employ a technical vocabulary appropriate to the field
  • Identify historical and contemporary practices
  • Structure and present ideas orally and visually
  • Make use of new technologies and social media, appropriate for smartphones
Develop an ability to ‘make photos’ rather than ‘take pictures’
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Studying Mobile Media: Cultural Technologies, Mobile Communication, and the iPhone.Hjorth, L., Burgess, J., and Richardson, I.Rutledge NY9780415895347 - 0415895340     
iRevolutionIrene AlisonPostcart ed. Italy978-8898391356     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendance 40
mid-term test 20
final 40

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality shows excellent mastery of the course content along with exceptional levels of technical skill, artistic awareness, originality, resourcefulness, commitment, quantity of work and improvement. There has been excellent collaboration and leadership in group projects, and there have been no attendance problems. Student demonstrates passion and willing to extend knowledge and realized an excellent final project
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.A highly competent level of performance with work that directly addresses the content of the course, with a good quantity of work produced. Student had some lack of interest and the final project was good but not so rich of contents and artistic qualities
CAn acceptable level of performance: the work shows awareness of the course content, but is very limited in quantity, quality, commitment and skill. The Final project is correct but poor in terms of creativity and technique . Student didn't attend more than Four classes.
DThe student lacks a coherent grasp of the course material and has failed to produce much work. Student didn't attend more than Five classes.
F Negligent in attendance, academic honesty, engagement with the course content, or production of work. Too many missing classes.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
PARTICIPATION AND ATTENDANCE POLICY Students are supposed to come prepared to class and participate in all activities. Active participation is crucial, since the learning process requires considerable practice. Regular attendance is an essential component of class participation. Students are allowed three (3) absences. Additional absences will lower the participation portion of the grade considerably. Make sure your travel plans do not interfere with the class schedule. MAKE-UPS Individual arrangements for make-ups will be done only for students with medical emergencies or any other valid reasons. The Midterm and Final Exam can only be made up with approval from the Dean of Academic Affairs (Please see the John Cabot University Catalogue and Student Handbook). Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE
Session1

A new approach to digital photography knowledge: basic grammar of photography.

Introduction to the different meanings of light and shadow, exposure, relationship between shutter speed and diaphragm aperture. How to enhance the Smartphone camera.


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Session2

On site class: technics of shooting in different light conditions


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Session3 Masters of Travel and Street photography: From Andy Wharol to contemporary masters. styles, techniques, images. How to define your own style in photography
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Session4

The Apps:

The most used shooting Apps – Camera+, AVG Camera PRO, VSCO Cam

The most famous social photo Apps: Instagram, Hipstamatic,
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Session5

On site class: Photographic techniques of Travel and Street photography. The balance of the image, perspectival control, natural light, choice of subjects and angles, how to avoid the obvious

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Session6

Screening and discussion of student work

How to combine visual elements to communicate feeling and emotional experience

Editing and retouching Apps: Snapseed and Lightroom

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Session7 Mid-term Exam to evaluate knowledge taken during first half of the course and theorical knowledge studied on reading list’s texts       Select / Modify Delete
Session8 Planning a photographic project/ how to use software to organize your archive The choice of the theme, color or B/W?, style and creativity, relationship between the picture series, skills and troubles. The choice, the topics, the formats, the quality saving, the size, the storage, photo sharing and presentation       Select / Modify Delete
Session9 Fieldwork related to final project       Select / Modify Delete
Session10

Visit to a Photo Exhibit TBD

  
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Session11

Photoshop Lightroom 6 elements: how to use software to enhance the quality of your pictures. Output formats, relationship between files and prints, the slide show

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Session12

How to use Apps to create your personal profile on social networks

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Session13 The slide show and the photo book: how to realize a multimedia presentation for final exhibition       Select / Modify Delete
Session14 Discuss your chosen theme and the images realized Presentation of your photos selected, which will be critiqued and analyzed by the instructors of the course and your fellow classmates according the established criteria. Realization of the Portfolio and General review of the arguments presented.   Assignment: You will be required to realize a CD to document all of your work completed throughout this course. The CD will be left to the University Archive.