Course Description

This is a beginning course that explores the technical and aesthetic concerns of photography. Through the fundamental concepts of light, exposure, and composition, students will develop the ability to control photographic style to create visually engaging images.

Credits, Hours
2 cl hrs, 2 lab hrs, 3 cr

Section
COMD1340 sect: OL90

Class Meeting

Zoom link for weekly class meetings:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82214694954?pwd=NkEzdzdJUUxBVS9sSjJhaUxqdkVJZz09

In-person location: not available

Faculty Information

Professor Pelka

Online office hours/information:

  • By appointment: Tuesday 12:00 – 1:00 or by another arranged time
  • I am always available during the office hour. To make an appointment email me or text me at phone# below. If this time doesn’t work for you, another time can be arraigned

Invite Link for office hour 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85865259307?pwd=Y1VRY2F3ZHhMVmx6dFEwby9LMmtPQT09

Contact Information:

  • Email: kpelka@citytech.cuny.edu
  • Phone: 917-794-0709. Text for quicker response

Learning Outcomes

Through hands-on technical exercises and creative assignments, class discussions and critiques, students will demonstrate:

  • accurate use of vocabulary related to photography to describe photographs in written and verbal peer critique
  • visual literacy to analyze the meaning, the aesthetic value and the technical competency of oneā€™s own work, the work of oneā€™s peers, and the work of professional photographers.
  • understanding of camera functions
  • ability to use light, composition and exposure to to convey a point of view in a photograph. 

Teaching/Learning Methods

  • Technical exercises
  • Creative exploration of photographic style
  • Peer-to-peer critique
  • View and discuss the work of 20th century and contemporary photographers
  • Readings and video resources by and about photographers

Required Equipment

Camera

You will need a camera to complete the coursework. 

You may use a camera phone. Use the Lightroom Photoshop App to gain control over shutter speed and ISO.

Resource for buying a camera: http://www.dpreview.com

Lights

You will need lights so that you can control the light for some assignments. You can use:

Other

  • White and black cards or poster board to reflect and block light.

Tripod

  • A tripod keeps your camera still so that you can use longer exposures.

Required Software

This course will give instruction in how to use Lightroom and the Lightroom Photoshop App. You may use Lightroom instead just note that the interface will look a bit different and you will need an iCloud subscription.

If you will be using a camera to do your coursework, you will need access to Adobe Lightroom

If you are using a cameraphone, you will need the Lightroom Photo Editor App, sometimes called Adobe Lightroom Photoshop.

Lightroom Versions

Lightroom Classic works with photos on your hard drive. Best for professional photographers who are managing hundreds of thousands of photos.

Lightroom is a cloud-based application so you can edit your photos on any device.

Lightroom Photo Editor/ Lightroom Photoshop App allow you to shoot and edit photos on your mobile device.

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.

All photos taken for credit in the class must be taken by YOU and taken in response to the assignment. No photos will be accepted that were taken before the assignment was given.

No photos will be accepted for assignments without metadata and a date taken.

When uploading photos to flickr, make sure metadata is not turned off.

In Flickr, when we look at an image, the metadata is a use full tool for analyzing exposure issues. Below are metadata examples for camera phone and a camera

When you set up your Flickr account under settings>Privacy & Permissons make sure to select NO for ā€œhide your Exif dataā€ and under Defaults for new uploads make sure to select that anyone can comment on your photos. If you donā€™t select this, I cannot leave comments on your work.

Attendance

ATTENDANCE POLICY for the COMD BFA and AAS are design studio programs. In-class activities and engagement with other students is a significant portion of the course. Absences in excess of 10% of the total class hours will result in a 10% drop from your grade due to an inability to meet deliverables of participation. This is in addition to other penalties that will be imposed for failure to complete academic requirements. No more than 4 class absences will be tolerated. It is expected that you will be ready to work at the start of each period. Any 2 latenesses will be considered to be equal to 1 absence. If you are absent, you are still responsible for missed classwork and homework.

Office Hour: It is suggested you meet with me twice during the semester. Once before the midterm project and once before the final project.

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