ClassInfo

DC 125 Digital Still Photography for Non-Majors

Travis Chandler

Spring 2013-2014
Class number: 30268
Section number: 902
Th 5:45PM - 9:00PM
CDM 00632 Loop Campus

Summary

Course Objective
This course is an introduction to the aesthetics of still photography and to the concept of photography as a descriptive and interpretive artistic medium. Students will learn the fundamental concepts necessary to shoot, edit, & manipulate photographs and critically evaluate the images.
Throughout the course you will work on defining your individual aesthetic utilizing established composition and design elements. You will be introduced to best practices in workflow, visual data management and Adobe Photoshop. Photoshop will be used in two stages, first as a postproduction tool in a standard photographic workflow, and then as a creative tool for compositing and collage. Every assignment will utilize a new skill in towards a cumulative knowledge of professional standards in
imaging. Students will be challenged to think conceptually about their own visual development while acquiring technical skills.

Learning Outcomes:
Students will learn the fundamental concepts necessary to shoot, edit, manipulate, and print digital still photographs

Students will acquire the knowledge needed to analyze and interpret existing works of photography in terms of composition, depth, and semiotic meaning.

Students will understand how to use their own digital still cameras, as well as the software Adobe Photoshop needed in the course.

Students, by reviewing external and internal work, will review and evaluate these creative works, translating that knowledge into written criticism of the work.

Notes on Assignments:

Assignments
Each of the assignments will be individually explained in the lecture, with a rubric for successful completion. They are cumulative! Assignment sheets and lectures are posted on D2L
*Note: 2 of these assignments are written papers..



Texts

Books:
Light and Lens: Photography in the Digital Age
By Robert Hirsch

You will also need access to Adobe Photoshop for this class.
You are welcome to use a different image editor,
but our class tutorials are based on photoshop.


This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter! >Summary Of Course

Week 1

Introductions. Discussion of syllabus. Overview.

Assignments:

1) Read your camera manual.

2) Bring in cameras and manuals next week.

Week 2

Image file formats (JPEG, RAW, ETC.)

- Setting up image import

- In Class: Shoot the same shot with different settings, compare

Photoshop: Setting up projects, "save for web", basic tools, resolution, image size, canvas, layers.

Assignments:

1) Read Light and Lens (Chapters TBA)

2) Read Photoshop book (Chapters TBA)

Week 3

Camera operating modes, sensors, lenses.

Difference between optical and digital zoom. Camera types. Lighting.

Photoshop Tools.

Project #1 Assigned: Light. Video screening (TBA)

Week 4

Project #1 due, view and discuss. Review for Midterm.

Guest speaker ?

1) Read Light and Lens (Chapters TBA)

2) Read Photoshop book (Chapters TBA)

Week 5

Mid-term quiz.

Composition, balance, rule of thirds, line, perspective.

Shooting around the school.

Photoshop: Image adjustments, color, levels, saturation, white balance.

Week 6

Project #2 Assigned: Composition.

1) Read Light and Lens (Chapters TBA)

2) Read Photoshop book (Chapters TBA)

Week 7

Project # 2 due, View and discuss.

Watch film. (TBA)

Assignment #3: Story assigned.

Read Light and Lens (Chapters TBA)

Week 8

Final project proposal due. Discuss.

Watch video: TBA

Assignment: Have materials to work on in class next week.

Week 9

Guest speaker.

Photoshop: Clone Stamp tool, image removal, masks.

Work on Final Project.

Week 10

Project #3, (Final Project) due. Review.

Changes to Syllabus

Again, this syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L or COLWeb and sent via email.
Online Teaching Evaluation

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student?s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in External Linkhttp://campusconnect.depaul.edu
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at External Linkhttp://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/. If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at: External Linkcdm.depaul.edu/enrollment
Students with Disabilities

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.

To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at: csd@depaul.edu.

Lewis Center 1420, 25 E. Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296

School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.

Online Course Evaluations

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.

All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.

Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.

Students with Disabilities

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296