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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AS 349"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Photography"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2026
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Ilaria Ortensi
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: T9:00 AM 11:45 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite:one previous course in Photography
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The aim of this course is to give advanced students the theoretical and practical skills necessary to invent and produce a creative photographic project. Projects may fall into traditional genres such as nature photography, architecture, portraiture, fashion, still life/objects/merchandise, photojournalism, landscape, etc., as well as more conceptual approaches. The course assumes the basic competence in black and white photography (including darkroom techniques), and/or expertise in digital photography. Instruction is both on an individual, tutorial level and in group visits, lessons and critiques. The course will help students acquire the technical and artistic competency expected in the professional workplace.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course is structured around a progression of technical workshops and creative exercises designed to guide students toward greater independence in image-making and concept development. Over the semester, students will engage with topics such as digital workflow and professional post-production, studio lighting techniques inspired by conceptual art, the integration of text and image, photography as performance, and the exploration of time, transformation, and change within imagery. Each class combines demonstrations, practice-based exercises, group critiques, and readings to support the development of advanced photographic projects. Emphasis will also be placed on building a final photographic project that reflects both technical mastery and conceptual depth.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate advanced technical control of the camera, studio lighting, and digital post-production tools.
  • Develop a strong conceptual framework for their photographic work, connecting form, process, and meaning.
  • Critically evaluate their own and others’ photographs through informed discussion and written reflection.
  • Integrate interdisciplinary approaches to photography, combining performance, text, and temporality.
  •  Produce a cohesive final photographic project that demonstrates both conceptual depth and technical proficiency.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

  • Digital camera (DSLR or mirrorless) with manual controls for shutter speed, aperture, and ISO
  • Portable external hard drive or USB drive (minimum 32GB)
  • Tripod (recommended)
  • Notebook or sketchbook for project notes and critiques
  •  Printing materials as needed for the final project (budget approx. €40–50)
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Proficiency & AssignmentsThis component assesses technical proficiency in camera use, editing software, and fine art techniques introduced during the course. It also evaluates the improvement of photographic and artistic vocabulary and concepts. Students are expected to complete their weekly assignments by the designated deadlines.60%
Attendance & Participation Students are required to attend every class punctually and come prepared to actively participate. If a class is missed without a valid doctor's note approved by the Dean’s Office, it will be considered an unexcused absence. Additionally, students are expected to maintain a respectful attitude (no cell-phones or talking) and actively engage in in-class exercises, critiques, and discussions.10%
Midterm Exam The midterm evaluation will be an in-class written response based on one photograph presented at the beginning of the class.10%
Final Project & Presentation Students are expected to create an original artwork inspired by one of the course exercises. The final presentation should demonstrate the improvement of their work over the semester and reflect an understanding of the analysis provided during in-class critiques.20%

-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 — 01.22

Intro / Historical Overview
Introduction to the course, review of syllabus, expectations, and goals. Lecture and discussion on the evolution of photographic practice from the 1970s to today.

WEEK 2 — 01.29
Workshop #1: Digital Workflow
Introduction to a professional digital workflow: camera setup, image capture, file organization, importing, and RAW editing.

WEEK 3 — 02.05
Workshop #2: Studio Lighting (After Sol LeWitt)
Exploring the aesthetics of structure, repetition, and variation through controlled studio lighting setups.

WEEK 4 — 02.12
Workshop #3: Digital Postproduction
Advanced retouching and compositing techniques in Adobe Photoshop, including color correction, masking, and layer-based editing.

WEEK 5 — 02.19
Outdoor Exercise #1: Images and Text
Collaborative exercise pairing text and image. Students work in pairs to produce photographs and written fragments that question the relationship between the visual and the verbal.

WEEK 6 — 02.26
In-Class Exercise #1: Images and Text
Editing and sequencing photographs with text to create a small zine exploring narrative structure and visual rhythm.

WEEK 7 — 03.05
Midterm Exam and Group Critique #1
Written exam based on the analysis of selected photographs. Group critique of works completed during the first half of the semester.

WEEK 8 — SPRING BREAK

WEEK 9 — 03.12
In-Class Photo Exercise #2: Disguise an Object
A study in transformation and perception: altering an object’s identity through shifts in lighting, perspective, and composition.

WEEK 10 — 03.19
Museum/Exhibition Visit (TBD)
On-site visit and discussion of the visual and conceptual strategies employed by contemporary photographers and artists.

WEEK 11 — 03.26
Outdoor Exercise #2: The Passage of Time
Photographing transformation, decay, and change through sequences that record the passage of time.

WEEK 12 — 04.02
Workshop #4: Studio Lighting (After Cindy Sherman)
Practicing controlled lighting setups to take portraits.

WEEK 13 — 04.09
Outdoor Exercise #3: Constructed Narratives
Lecture on artists who merge photography and performance to explore identity, gender, and narrative. Outdoor photo exercise.

WEEK 14 — 04.16
In-Class Photo Exercise #3: Embodying Fictional Characters
Performing for the camera: students embody invented personas through gesture, costume, and setting to explore photography as performance.

WEEK 15 — 04.23
Group Critique #2 and Brainstorming for Final Project
Group critique and discussion focused on concept development and technical planning for the final project.

WEEK 16 — 04.30
Workshop #5: Preparing for the Final Project
Independent studio work and individual meetings with the instructor to refine project concepts, methods, and presentation strategies.

WEEK 17 — 05.07
Final Exam / Final Project Presentation
Final critique and presentation of completed projects. Students articulate conceptual and technical choices and reflect on their artistic development throughout the semester.