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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AS 289-3"
COURSE NAME: "Digital Photography"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2023
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Ilaria Ortensi
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: M12:30 PM 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 class is an introductory course in the technical, aesthetic, and conceptual foundations of photography. With an emphasis on the student’s own creative practice, this course will explore the basics of digital photography and its history through regular shooting assignments, demonstrations, critique, lectures, and readings. No prior photography experience is required. 

The course is designed to balance the acquisition of new skills through lectures, demonstration and in class exercises with weekly independent assignments. Students are expected to be shooting an average of 36 images per week to produce at least 6 new images to show per critique. While the subject matter for the photographs is completely open, students will be given prompts throughout the semester to respond to. Images presented should be edited appropriately and submitted to meet the required specifications. For the final assignment, students will edit and organize the work produced over the course of the semester in a book, either in paper or digital.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Course Requirements

  • Digital single lens reflex (DSLR) or mirrorless camera with manual adjustments of f-stop and shutter speed
  • SD memory card(s) 8GB+ 

 

Learning Outcomes

  • Learn how to operate a digital camera 
  • Master image capturing and processing
  • Learn how to take advantage of different lighting conditions 
  • Develop a critical eye to photography 
  • Explore different styles and possibilities of image making
  • Improve the ability to discuss one’s own and other people’s work
  • Editing a large group of photographs into a final cohesive body of work
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Mid-term ExamAn in-class written mid-term exam. 10%
Final PresentationStudents are expected to be shooting an average of 36 images per week to produce at least 6 new images to show per critique. The final presentation consists of editing the work over the course of the semester in a book (digital or paper) and should reflect an understanding of the analysis provided during in-class critiques. 40%
Proficiency & ParticipationIncludes technical proficiency both in camera and with editing software, in-class participation and improvement of photographic vocabulary and concepts. Students should submit digital contact sheets of all new images made for review each week. 50%

-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.
BA highly competent level of performance with work that directly addresses the content of the course, with a good quantity of work produced.
CAn acceptable level of performance: the work shows awareness of the course content, but is very limited in quantity, quality, commitment and skill.
DThe student lacks a coherent grasp of the course material and has failed to produce much work.
FNegligent in attendance, academic honesty, engagement with the course content, or production of work.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
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

Week 1

09/04 - First day of class. Introduction to the class and to digital photography. Overview of syllabus, requirements, expectations and review of students equipment.

Week 2

09/11 - Brief lecture on photography and technical lecture on digital capture. In-class group exercise. From now on students will have to start photographing, taking at least 36 photos each week, and be ready to present 6 of them during group critique.

Week 3

09/18 - Technical lecture on post-production using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Individual exercise on the photos students have taken.

Week 4

09/25 - Group critique. Students present a selection of photographs to the class. Discussion of student’s work.

Week 5

10/02 - Technical lecture on lighting to understand how to be fully aware of different lighting conditions and how to take advantage of them.

Week 6

10/09 - Group critique. Students present a selection of photographs to the class. Discussion of student’s work.

Week 7

10/16 - Midterm exam: in-class written exam based on visual analysis.

Week 8

10/23 - Group critique. Students present a selection of photographs to the class. Discussion of student’s work.

Week 9

10/30 - Review of Midterm exam. Technical lecture (part II) on post-production using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Individual exercise on the photos students have taken.

Week 10

11/06 - Group critique. Students present a selection of photographs to the class. Discussion of student’s work.

Week 11

11/13 - Technical lecture on printing. In-class individual exercise using photos that students have taken.

Week 12

11/20 - Group critique. Students present a selection of photographs to the class. Discussion of student’s work.

Week 13

11/27 - Lecture on the tradition of the photography book. Overview of different ways of editing, sequencing and organising photographs for a book. Technical lecture on book designing.

Week 14

12/04 - Group critique. Students present a selection of photographs to the class. Discussion of student’s work. Review of final assignment.

Week 15

12/11 - Presentation of the first draft of the book.