JCU Logo
JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "DJRN/AS 290"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Photojournalism: On Location in Rome"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Federica Valabrega
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: W9:00 AM 11:45 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is a course in basic photojournalism on location. There will be both classroom sessions and classes off campus, held on location in Rome and the surrounding area, as well as visits to photographic exhibitions. Students will gain an understanding of the basic concepts of photography and photojournalism; how cameras and lenses work; image composition; lighting conditions and techniques; shooting on location; techniques for working as a photographer; editing and producing photographs; and building a portfolio of images. Class sessions will cover learning use of a camera, lights, composition, color, documentary and candid photographic techniques, photographic software such as Adobe Photoshop, and critiques. Classes on location include practical fieldwork.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course is meant for students who wish to deepen their knowledge of Photojournalism, but also the ideas behind taking photographs. It will review basic camera functions and introduce methods of the elaboration of photos on the computer. The course is hands-on and will include picture- taking in a variety of genres and the preparation of a photo essay to be shown in an exhibition and/or a photo portfolio to be presented to a possible Internship or job opportunities.

 

This is a course in basic photojournalism on location and digital imaging, composed of 14 sessions (each being 2,45 hours long), divided in two main parts:

 

- Theoretical and technical: the basic principles of photography, visualizing the photo, lighting techniques and digital workflow. How to develop your idea, understanding what an interesting subject for you is and crafting your photographic style.

 

- Practical: including fieldworks where you will be applying what you’ve learned in the theory lessons. This part will also include a variety of skills to be able to edit and retouch selected images for a final project/exhibition.

 

Course Requirements

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

 

 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

·       Learn how to operate a digital camera properly.

·       Learn what digital photography is and the history behind it.

·       Learn to photograph is divers lighting conditions: natural and artificial ones.

·       Develop the practical and intellectual skills to make a personal photographic essay selecting the best         images within the semester.

·       Develop analytical skills to critique each other’s work constructively.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Mid-term ExamAn in-class critique of pitch and images to produce a newsworthy story.20%
Final PresentationStudents are expected to be shooting an average of 20 images per week to produce at least 10 new images to show per critique. The final presentation consists of editing the work over the course of the semester in digital & printed form and should reflect an understanding of newsworthy topic from class lesson and suggestions from the teacher and your peers from in-class critiques. Also, a news story pitch will have to be delivered with the final image selections. 30%
Proficiency & ParticipationIncludes technical proficiency both in camera and with editing software, in-class participation, and improvement of photographic and news vocabulary. Students should show teacher a digital contact sheets of all new images made for review and prepare news pitch weekly to support their story project with hard facts they researched.50%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
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.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-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

Session 1 - First day of class: Introduction. Getting inspired by looking at professional photographers’ work. Overview of syllabus, requirements, class expectations, and review of students’ equipment. Grade policy discussion.

Session 2 - The basic principles of photography I: basic camera controls (ISO, aperture, shutter speed) set-ups. Please, review your manual prior to class. Small intro to the history of the great photographers that came before us. Assignment 1 at home: using the camera settings we spoke about take 3 images – one over exposed, one under exposed, one exposed correctly.

Session 3 - The basic principles of photography II. How to see and understand light. What is light within an image. Learn to find it. Learn how to take advantage of all lighting condition while taking photos. The digital workflow I. Data capture, file management, basic corrections in Lightroom: how to create your own photography catalogue (contact sheet). Lighting assignment 1 at home: Take 5 photographs with ONE light source (natural or artificial).

Session 4 - The basic principles of photography III. The basics of composition, framing the subject, geometrical design elements, rule of thirds. Learn from photographers who came before us. Composition exercise at home: Take 5 photographs with different framing and composition.

Session 5 - The digital workflow II. Non-destructive image processing, working with RAW files, histograms, masks, dodging and burning. Learn how to edit and retouch your images for class. Fieldwork assignment all together outside of class.

Session 6 - Group critique of fieldwork assignment images. Students present a selection of photographs to the class. Discussion of student’s work. At home assignment: tell a story in 5-7 sequenced images.

Session 7 - The basic principles of photography IV. What makes a collection of images a photo essay and how do we sequence images to tell a story. In class editing and sequencing of images in a short story form in preparation of Mid-Term Critique.

Session 8 - Mid-Term Critique: Analysis and screening of students’ photos in class. Introduction on how to write captions for your images. At home assignment on captions. Write captions for your images according to the AP style.

Session 9 - The digital workflow III. In class editing, retouching, and resizing of images taken at home the prior weeks and preparing them for the final selection for the daily school newspaper “The Matthew.”Also, start collecting all the data, quotes and research for captions to be delivered alongside your images for both publication on “The Matthew” and the Final. Fieldwork assignment all together outside of class.

Session 10 - The digital workflow IV. Preparing files for printing to have a better look at our edit selections. Laser ink-jet printing in class. Beginning to develop collectively a coherent sequence for the Final Project/Publication on “The Matthew” based on the printed samples.

Session 11 - The basic principles of photography V: Artificial light. Fieldwork assignment all together in the light studio adjacent to class. Lesson in class on what is a LEDE and how do we write one for the opening of our Photo Essay. Write your own LEDE, captions and a first draft of your article.

Session 12 – LEDE, first draft and captions review in class prior to the final project. Questions, concerns about any of the above-mentioned writing components. Work on the final draft for the essay at home.

Session 13 - Review the final essay in class. The basic principles of photography VI. Setting-up your own exhibits: what’s necessary, talk about a curatorial message and presentation of your work to the public. Work on final sequence of captioned images, LEDE and final draft of the article for the FINAL at home.

Session 14 - Field work as a class, observing and photographing in a different neighborhood TBA.

Session 15 -Collective critique: the Final project. Presentation and review of students’ photographic projects, LEDE, captions and final written articles. Critically evaluate the work presented by fellow students. Talk about the future and careers.