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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AS 289-2"
COURSE NAME: "Digital Photography"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2018
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Jochem Schoneveld
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: T 12:30-3:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is meant for students who wish to deepen their knowledge of digital photography. It will review basic camera functions, lighting, principles of composition and pictorial dynamics, color interactions, and introduce methods of the elaboration of photos on the computer. The course will consider the historical and formal knowledge of photography, as well as including picture-taking in a variety of genres and the preparation of a photo exhibition. Each student must be equipped with a digital camera with a wide lens or a 3x or greater optical zoom, and camera functions selector which includes M,A,S,P. A tripod and modern single-lens reflex (SLR) digital cameras with interchangeable lenses are highly recommended.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This is a course in digital photography and digital imaging, composed of 14 sessions (each being 2,5 hours long), divided in two parts:

-Theoretical and technical: the basic principles of photography, visualizing the photo, lighting techniques and digital workflow.
-Practical: including fieldworks where you will be applying what you’ve learned in the previous lessons.

Students will regularly post to the Class Blog, which can be found here (starting from week 2)
www.jochemschoneveld.com
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
-Understanding of digital photography from a practical and theoretical viewpoint;
-Basic skills to set up a logical digital workflow: Capture, File Management, Processing Workflow, Color Management, non-destructive image processing;
-Developed an aesthetic sense and be able to produce and read photographic images;
-The ability to write a brief critical  evaluation of photographic works;
-The skills to create and present their own portfolio;
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendance 30
Mid-Term test and Assignments 30
Final Project 40

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
A Work 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
B A highly competent level of performance with work that directly addresses the content of the course, with a good quantity of work produced
C An acceptable level of performance: the work shows awareness of the course content, but is very limited in quantity, quality, commitment and skill
D The student lacks a coherent grasp of the course material and has failed to produce much work
F Negligent in attendance, academic honesty, engagement with the course content, or production of work

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance is essential for success in this course, try not to miss any class meetings. Make sure your travel plans do not interfere with the class schedule. It is not possible to pass this course if you miss more then three (3) classes. If you miss class you’re responsible to get notes and handouts. Lectures are not being repeated. You need to come to class well prepared. You need to attend critiques and finish required assignments missing a critique or an assignment will result in lower grading. Outside of class you will do your own background reading and preparation.
Active participation in class is mandatory. The use of internet during lab time is allowed only in the context of this course.
Not attending the final critique will result in an F. Withdraw if you are unable to attend class regularly. Attendance policy is not negotiable.

Prerequisites 
-A digital camera with RAW output and is needed for the course. 
-Cameras need functions selector M,A,S,P.

!! Always bring your camera to class !!

!! Students will be responsible for the backup storage of their photos by means of flashdrives or external harddrives
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

Session Session Focus Reading Assignment Other Assignment Meeting Place/Exam Dates
Session 1 Introduction. The basic principles of photography I. Difference and similarities between digital and film based photography. The camera and lenses. Basic camera controls.      
Session 2 The basic principles of photography II. How to control exposure. Relationship between Shutter speed and Aperture explained. How to control focus and depth of field. Fieldwork. Document Exposure    
Session 3 Visualizing the photo. The basics of composition. Framing the subject, geometrical design elements (shapes, patterns, lines, textures). Choosing the right lens. Perspective, view point. Fieldwork   Explore Shutter Speed and Aperture  
Session 4 Lighting techniques. Artificial vs available light. The direction of light. How light affects color. Hard and soft light. Understanding Color Temperature. Fieldwork.   Portrait and People Assignment  
Session 5 The digital workflow I. Data capture, File Management, basic corrections in Lightroom. Fieldwork Architecture   Architecture Assignment  
Session 6 Critique student photos. Where to go next?   Assignment Still Life  
Session 7 Mid-Term Test. evaluate knowledge taken during first half of the course’s lessons and theorical knowledge.      
Session 8 Looking at photographs. John Szarwowski: "The truth is that anybody can make a photograph," ,"The trouble is not that photographs are hard to make. The trouble is that they are hard to make intelligent and interesting." Setting the criteria for reading photos. Write about photos.      
Session 9 Student Presentations of (known) photographers   Presentation Photographer  
Session 10 Editing your images. Making choices about Color and Black and white. Cropping your images.      
Session 11 The digital workflow II. Non-destructive image processing, working with RAW files, masks, dodging and burning.      
Session 12 Trip to photographic exhibition. Time and Place to be defined.   Brief review/critique exhibition  
Session 13 The digital workflow III. preparing images for diverse output.Presentation, Web, Book.      
Session 14 Completion of the final project. Presentation and review of students’ photographic projects. Critically evaluate the work presented by fellow students.   Final Portfolio