Photography 1 || Spring 2021
COMD 1340, Section OL62 || Tuesdays 8:00-11:20
Professor Matthew C. Lange || mlange@citytech.cuny.edu
Office hour: Tuesdays 11:30-12:30 or by appointment
Course Description
This course will serve as an introduction to the fundamentals of photography for students in Communication Design. Our curriculum will be based on operating compact digital cameras, or DSLRs if possible, with an emphasis on composition and technical knowledge. In conjunction with digital capture we will examine file management and digital darkroom technique.
The course will use class discussions, critiques, and shooting exercises during classroom laboratory sessions. Discussions will cover fundamental concepts and camera techniques. Lab projects will include portrait, still life, and composition exercises.
Course Objectives
To successfully complete this course, you will be expected to develop your technical and aesthetic understanding of photographic media according to the following criteria:
| Successful completion of this course will require: | Evaluation criteria: |
| Use of professional vocabulary to discuss technical and aesthetic issues in photography. | Competency demonstrated in written assignments and in-class discussions. |
| Ability to frame photographs using basic principles of design and composition. | Competency demonstrated by taking photographs both in-class and as homework. |
| Ability to use available and artificial light to photograph still life, portrait and landscape subjects. | Ability to correctly expose photographs in a wide range of lighting conditions. |
| Analysis of aesthetic value and the technical competency of one’s own work, the work of one’s peers, and the work of professional photographers. | Competency displayed through in-class discussions and writing exercises. |
| Developing skills necessary for collaborative teamwork. | Competency displayed through in-class team projects. |
Teaching/Learning Methods
Class sessions will be designed to facilitate course objectives through group discussions, hands-on photo shoots, editing photos, viewing historical examples, readings and peer-to-peer review. Weekly assignments will supplement classroom discussions and activities, and will serve as a journal of your personal growth.
Grading
Weekly Assignments (Learning Journal): 40%
In-class productivity: 30%
Mid-term Project 10%
Final Term Project: 20%
Weekly shooting assignments, submitted via Flickr, are essential to your success in this course. Expect to shoot & upload at least 40-50 images, and share your best 4-5, every week.
In-class Productivity includes initiative in lab sessions and participation in classroom discussions.
Web Resources: OpenLab, Flickr
We will be using the OpenLab internet application to provide access to course materials, keep current with course developments and to communicate, collaborate and submit course assignments inside and outside the classroom. It will be necessary for you to join this Course and visit its Site on a weekly basis. The URL for this Course Site is: https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/lange-comd1340-sp21/
Flickr will also serve as a vital web resource for this class. You will be responsible for posting weekly assignments in our Flickr group, which can be found at the following URL: https://www.flickr.com/groups/14737986@N24/
Required Equipment
You will need access to a camera to complete your weekly assignments for this course. To get the most out of this course, you should use a camera that allows full manual control.
There are a number of Apps that allow manual control for your phone camera. Lightroom Mobile is preferred, as it offers an integrated solution for many of our classroom needs.
You are encouraged to use a DSLR or mirrorless camera if available. If you would like to purchase a camera, you might refer to www.dpreview.com, keh.com, B&H photo, etc.
Additional Required Materials
– Adobe Lightroom
– Clamp Light with reflector and bulbs
– Tracing paper, white & black foamcore
Recommended Texts
A Short Course in Photography: Digital, 4th Edition. Barbara London and Jim Stone. 2018. Pearson, NY
Read This If You Want To Take Great Photographs. Henry Carroll. 2014. Laurence King Publishing, London.
Attendance
Class sessions will meet synchronously via Zoom at the designated time.
Despite the shift to this online classroom environment, the following attendance policy is still in effect:
Attendance is taken and is important to success in this class. Students arriving after attendance is taken will be marked “late.” Two “lates” equals one absence. If a student’s class absences or equivalents are excessive, the instructor will alert the student that he or she may be in danger of not meeting the course objectives and earning a grade of “F”.
With this in mind, we have to recognize that technical problems and/or health issues may present very real complications during the semester. Of course, reasonable accommodations can be made to address these matters. Whenever possible please email me in advance if you will be unable to attend a class session. Open lines of communication will be essential.
Should issues arise, please make every reasonable effort to keep up with weekly deadlines. It is your responsibility to obtain class notes for missed sessions from your peers. You will still be expected, within reason, to submit assignments before any missed sessions. Absence from class does not excuse you from submitting homework assignments on time.
Participation
Classroom shooting exercises and discussions will play a critical role in shaping this course. You should be prepared to actively engage for the full class session every week.
We must acknowledge that the online classroom is in many ways incapable of properly replicating the collaborative nature of a traditional classroom. We will face this problem head-on, and work to design creative solutions to optimize our shared time. Part of this effort will come from fully utilizing built-in Zoom functionality such as group chats, break-out rooms and virtual backgrounds. Part will come from experimenting with new approaches to our lab session..
Participation from everyone will be the only way to create a compelling distance-learning experience.
Academic Integrity Standards
Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting, and citing sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and at New York City College of Technology and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion.
COURSE SCHEDULE
***The following schedule is subject to change. Weekly Assignment posts on OpenLab will serve as updates.
Week 1 – Feb. 2: Introductions and Course Overview
For Next Week: Self & Memory
Week 2 – Feb 9: The Nature of Light; Optics and Capture
For Next Week: Light & Shadow
Week 3 – Feb. 16: Photographic Composition: The Frame
For Next Week: Shapes & Frames
Week 4 – Feb. 23: Photographic Composition: Dynamism
For Next Week: Edge to Edge
Week 5 – Mar. 2: Mechanics of the Camera; Shutter Speed, Aperture
For Next Week: Time and Movement
Week 6 – Mar. 9: Exposure, Controlling Light
For Next Week: Light & Color
Week 7 – Mar. 16: Digital Workflow: Color Correction
For Next Week: Inspired by Gordon Parks
Week 8 – Mar. 23: Midterm Presentations & Critique
For Next Week: Text Reflection
**NO CLASSES MARCH 30 – Spring Recess**
Week 9 – Apr. 6: Direction & Quality of Light
For Next Week: Shaped by Light
Week 10 – Apr. 13: Portraiture in Available Light
For Next Week: Environmental Portrait
Week 11 – Apr. 20: Portraiture in the Studio
For Next Week: Studio Portrait
Week 12 – Apr. 27: Still Life
For Next Week: Nature morte
Week 13 – May 4: Serial Pictures
For Next Week: Final Project
Week 14 – May 11: Digital Workflow: Local Corrections
For Next Week: Final Project
**NO CLASSES MAY 18 – READING DAY**
Week 15 – May 25: Presentations & Critique of Final Project
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