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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AS 289-2"
COURSE NAME: "Digital Photography"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2015
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Paolo Soriani
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: M12:30 PM 3:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is a course in basic digital photography. The theoretical component includes the basic functions of the camera, the use of lighting, principles of composition, interaction between colors, a discussion of architecture and interiors, and basic principles of the elaboration of photos on the computer. The practical component involves picture taking 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 is strongly recommended. Modern single-lens reflex (SLR) digital cameras with interchangeable lenses are highly recommended.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This is a course in basic digital photography, composed of 14 sessions (each being 2:45 hours long) dedicated to PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY, and divided in two parts:

The first being theoretical, including sessions showing the basic functions of the camera, the use of lights, elements of composition, interaction between colours, subject and background, editing with Adobe Lightroom  5.0, Photoshop CS6 and other software elements.

The second being practical including fieldworks where you will be applying what you've learned in the previous lessons.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The main target of the course is to prepare students to learn the use of the NEW CAMERAS, their settings, and the new perspectives in photography given by the use of specific SOFTWARE.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
photography portfolio 10
Attendance 30
mid-term test 30
final 30

-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 proje
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 of the camera’s technical elements: The body, the lenses, the accessories. How to use the camera functions and settings, traditional and digital pictures, basic grammar of photography. The basic elements of the camera and the correct usage of the lenses. The different meanings of light and shadow, the exposure, relationship between shutter speed and diaphragm aperture, the depth of field.       Select / Modify Delete
Session2 The PORTRAIT Photography The equipment, the lenses, the balance of the image, the perspective control, the depth of field, the best natural light, the choice of subjects and angles, how to avoid the obvious - Fieldwork       Select / Modify Delete
Session3 Masters of PORTRAIT photography The style, the techniques, the images of the masters through their websites or Photo-galleries. How to define your own style in photography.       Select / Modify Delete
Session4 The PORTRAIT Photography I
How to take portraits using natural lights. Techniques indoor. Fieldwork
      Select / Modify Delete
Session5 Analysis and screening of students’ photos       Select / Modify Delete
Session6

The PORTRAIT Photography II

How to take portraits using natural lights. Techniques outdoor. Fieldwork
      Select / Modify Delete
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 The PORTRAIT Photography III
Fieldwork on final project
      Select / Modify Delete
Session10 Photoshop Lightroom 5 elements: how to use software to enhance the quality of your pictures. I Basic corrections, use of levels, contrast, adjusting for colour, filters.   Assignment: prepare a selection of 10/15 pictures on CD-Rom for final examination to print on photographic 8”x10” size paper.   Select / Modify Delete
Session11 Photoshop Lightroom 5 elements: how to use software to enhance the quality of your pictures. II Black and White gray scale, saving formats, relationship between files and prints, the slide show.       Select / Modify Delete
Session12 How to use software to organize your archive. The topics, the formats, the quality saving, the size, the storage, the share and the presentation.       Select / Modify Delete
Session13 The slide show: 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, ISU jury, 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.