Course Syllabus
Intro to Digital Photography mART 362
CRN: 39956
Digital Art & Animation
Cañada College Fall 2023 Semester
Instructor: Emanuela Quaglia
Class Dates and Times: MW 11:10AM-12:25PM+ minimum of 32 lab hours
Classroom Number: 13-211
Office Hours: Please see doorcard & by appointment in office
Email: quagliae@smccd.edu
Phone: 650-704-8047
Class Website: https://canadacollege.edu/canvas/
Studio Hours Website: http://www.daam.us
TBA hours: Your TBA or studio hours will be completing the assignments, as posted on WebAccess. This is additional to the homework requirement, which will also be posted on WebAccess. I will be present in lab at 13-211 for at least two hours a week in addition to office hours (by appointment). You must sign in on one of the computers at bld. 13 or bld. 22 or the Learning Center or with me personally to have your hours count toward your 2 hours per week TBA hours. You must do 2 hours per week, not save it all up and do one big day.
PROJECTS (TBA Hours):Week 1 – Digital Imaging Concepts (2 hours)
Week 2 – Assignment 1 - Campus Walk (2 hours)
Week 4 – Assignment 2 - Camera Settings assignment (2 hours), Campus Walk revision
Week 5 – Assignment 3 - Camera Settings assignment (2 hours), Intro to Camera Raw
Week 6 – Assignment 4 - Adjusted Camera Settings using Camera Raw (2 hours).
Week 6 – Assignment 5 - Introduction to Seeing the Light (2 hours)
Week 7 – Assignment 6 - Seeing the Light (2 hours)
Week 8 – Assignment 7 - Printing (resolution) assignment (2 hours)
Week 9 - 10 – Assignment 8 - Retouching and Rescue assignment (2 hours)
Week 11 – Assignment 9 - Color Balance (2 hours)
Week 11 – Assignment 10 - Adjusted Color balance (2 hours)
Week 12 – Assignment 11 - Children & Pets assignment (2 hours)
Week 13-14 – Assignment 12 - Group Show Stage 1 (2 hours)
Week 14 – Assignment 13 - Group Show Stage 2 (2 hours)
Week 15-16 – Individual Final Portfolio (4 hours)
Grading policies: Assignments, Quizzes, Participation and Projects have a set point value, which then gets added at the end of the term and a percentage is calculated.
93-100=A | 90-92=A- | 87-89=B+ | 83-86=B | 80-82=B- | 76-79=C+ | 70-75=C | 60-69=D | Below 60=F
If you do not show up for the Final Exam or turn in the Midterm or Final Project, you WILL fail the class!
Projects (TBA): 40%
Final Individual Project: 20%
Final Group Project: 20%
Class Participation: 10%
Quizzes/other: 10%
You should bring to class EVERY DAY:
l Yourself
l A USB drive with space on it
l Your G-number
l Your camera with charged battery and space on the SD card!
Attendance: If you have too many absences, it will reflect on your grade. This class is heavily graded on participation and assignments, which can’t be made up when you’re absent. Any material you miss because of an absence is your responsibility, as well as the assignments given for that day. Please make sure that you contact me or a classmate to catch up. It’s ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED that you attend the final to pass the course.
Backing up data: You MUST back up your data at home!!! I know it is tempting to just keep it on the USB drive but USB DRIVES FAIL!!! Back up your data in MORE THAN ONE PLACE, meaning on a hard drive you leave at home or on two USB drives in SEPARATE LOCATIONS, on your home computer + USB drive. DO NOT LEAVE IMAGES OR FILES ON THE LAB COMPUTERS!!! This is not backing up and they WILL be deleted. “My dog ate my USB” will never be a legitimate excuse for late work.
Important Dates:
January 13 Day & Evening Classes begin
January 27: Last day to ADD as well as last day to DROP a semester length course and be eligible for a partial refund
February 2: Last day to drop without a “W”, last day to declare P/NP grade option
February 17: President’s Day (Holiday)
March 5: Flex Day (no class)
March 27: Flex Day (no class)
March 29-April 4: Spring Recess (no class)
April 23: Last day to withdraw from semester length course with a "W"
May 16: Last day of instruction
May 16-22: Final Exams
http://canadacollege.net/admissions/index.html or (650) 306-3226 (Admissions) or (650) 306-3452 (Counseling).
Optional Text Book:
Real World Digital Photography by Katrin Eismann, Sean Duggan,Tim Grey ISBN-10: 0321223721 OR Understanding Photography, Sean T. McHugh
Additional supplemental material will be made available online or in class.
Required Materials:
4GB+ USB drive to store your files, SD card and reader or cord to computer
Course Description:
MART 362 Digital Photography is an introductory course in understanding Digital Photography and is designed for those interested in taking digital photographs. It is designed to increase your understanding of photographic principles as applied to digital photography. Both point and shoots and digital SLRs are welcome for this class. This class is useful for both PC and MAC users. You will focus on making meaningful artwork using digital imaging skills. The first two thirds of the course focuses on creative assignments that are paired with a technical skill and are to be executed using original imagery. The last third of the semester emphasizes creating a body of work, which will be presented as your final portfolio. The course consists of lectures, highlighting images by both master photographers and critiques of student work.
Sample Topics: Basic photographic skills, RAW files, 16-bit editing, color and tonal correction techniques, retouching techniques, paper comparison and different forms of output, color management, developing a body of work, copyrights, and contemporary trends in digital art.
Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, a student will meet the following outcomes:
Compare and contrast the difference between a Native File Format and a Standard File Format as it pertains to digital photography.
Discuss and defend their photographic images using critical thinking and technical ability.
Demonstrate visual acuity and technical proficiency abilities with digital imaging through the presentation of finished assignments completed to industry standards.
COURSE DELIVERY AND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTSYou will need access to a computer with Adobe Photoshop (versions CS5-6 or Creative Cloud are acceptable) and it is highly recommended to also have Adobe Lightroom software.
If you are purchasing the software, you can get the current version at greatly reduced prices from http://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/buy/students.html?promoid=KICIS
Computers with Adobe Photoshop software installed are available at these locations on the Canada campus:
Studio 13-211 & Studio 22-113
ANNOUNCEMENTSI will e-mail you any Announcements that occur outside of class.
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
1. Access to a camera
2. Access to Adobe Photoshop CC software
3. Access to internet with a working email account
4. Original photographic source material (negatives, slides, digital camera files, flatbed scan capture, etc. )
5. Storage media (USB Jump Drive, CDs, SD cards, etc.)
6. Premium Quality Ink Jet Paper - Get Epson brand photo paper
STUDENT INTRODUCTION: Each student is required to upload a student introduction to the BB on Canvas. Students who do not submit the Student Introduction by the deadline stated in the Course Calendar may be dropped.
Your introduction should include the following:
• Name
• One to three of your own images resized for web (see Resizing for Web)
• Optional image representing yourself (see Resizing for Web) – think FB avatar
• At least one interesting fact about yourself and/or the name of your favorite photographer or photographic movement
• Why you are taking this course?
•Photo of signed syllabus (see the end of this document)
QUIZ:There may be various random quizzes covering material from previous classes. These quizzes will always be the first thing in the class, so it is especially imperative to be on time. You will not be given extra time or allowed to make up quizzes if you arrive late.
ASSIGNMENTS:Each assignment is worth a total of 100 points and is graded on the following criteria: appropriateness, technical execution, creativity, and presentation. All work is to be done using your own original images (except where specifically noted otherwise). Copyrighted images can only be used with instructor approval. As all files will be turned in at the end of the semester, you should archive all of your assignments and projects in this class. Always backup your assignments in more than one place. Lost data is no excuse for late or missing assignments.
Images need to be resized appropriately for web display. Assignments are considered turned in on time only if submitted to Web Access by assignment due date. Additionally, you will probably want a print-quality image backed up somewhere. You never know when you might want to make a print as well. Again, remember to keep a full-size backup image in addition to the resized image. It is strongly recommended that you keep them in different places/different folders to avoid accidentally saving the web-sized image over the print-sized image. You’ll thank me later.
CRITIQUE COMMENTS: One of the aspects that make this type of class so rewarding is the critique. Each student is required to critique at least two other students' work for each assignment.
A critique is where you comment on the things that are working well with the images and offer suggestions on how to improve the things that aren't working well with the images. What is it that you like/dislike about these images and/or how can they be improved. Do you find the mood of the image soothing or upsetting? Would shooting a little lower to include more foreground have enhancing the composition? Or should the photographer have framed the scene differently to exclude the telephone wires because you find them distracting? Should they have been cloned out? Would photographing the subject with minimum depth of field have enhanced the composition by making the background elements blurry and less distracting? Should you have fixed the background in post? These are the types of things that we want to discuss. As well as how the images make us feel. So be open to constructive criticism so that we can improve in our image making skills.
• Critiques are opportunities for learning to be articulate about images.
• Critiques present opportunities to increase observational, interpretive, and judgmental abilities.
• Critiques can offer artists alternate ways to think about their images.
• Critiques require participation: Speak thoughtfully and listen actively.
• Describing what you see is a vital part of the critical process.
• Everything counts in a photograph.
• Effectively communicating your insights is preferable to impressing with your intelligence.
• When interpreting an image, you need not be overly constrained by the artist's stated intent for the image.
• Images can carry multiple meanings and support multiple interpretations.
• Judgments of the value of an image ought to be dependent on an interpretive interpretation of that image.
• Judgments without reasons are irresponsive and irresponsible.
• Preferences are personal and indisputable; judgments need to be defended.
• Critiques need not be judgmental.
• Being critical and being kind are not mutually exclusive activities.
Barrett, Terry. Criticizing Photographs: An Introduction to Understanding Images, 4th ed., Boston: McGraw Hill, 2006
FINAL INDIVIDUAL PORTFOLIO:The final portfolio is a body of work that you have developed throughout the semester on a particular concept presented for student critiquing and instructor grading. The portfolio concept is presented as a portfolio proposal that is submitted for instructor approval. The portfolio can be: thematic, sequential, formal, or a combination thereof. An artist's statement must accompany the work.
You may choose any approved online or digital portfolio presentation method, check with the instructor before committing to a particular presentation method. Individual photographs will not be considered.
FINAL GROUP PROJECT: The final group project is probably the most exciting part of the class and participation is mandatory. The group project is designed for everyone to have an important role to play and you will be graded on how well you fulfilled your role and how well your group worked together to complete the project.
EXTRA CREDIT: During the semester, various extra credit assignments may be offered. These are always optional but are subject to the same grading criteria as regular assignments (although of course, extra credit work will never lower your grade). Extra credit will NEVER take the place of a project or assignment not turned in or turned in late.
DEADLINES AND MAKE-UP POLICYDeadlines occur at dates and times specified on Web Access. If you absolutely have to turn in an assignment late, be aware that you will lose a letter grade each DAY late it is. Plan to do your work well before the deadline so that if you have a problem with your computer or a network failure, you can find an alternative and still get your work done on time.
ATTENDANCE AND COURSE WITHDRAWALThere is no attendance requirement. If you decide to drop this course, you are required to officially withdraw through the Canada College Admissions and Registration Office. It is illegal and unethical for me to "back date" your withdrawal date to save you from getting a "W" or "F". Sorry!
STUDENT WORKS:Sometimes student works will be used by Cañada College for educational purposes and to promote the program or college or in galleries or shows or other forums. It is important to always include your name in your file so proper attribution can be given. Unnamed or improperly named files may be attributed to ‘Anonymous’. To ‘opt out’, submit a request in writing at the end of the semester.
EOPS (EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM)If you are receiving Equal Opportunity Program financial aid and need a progress report, please send me a message in Private Messages.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIESIf you have a learning disability or physical challenge, you are entitled to any assistance you need to achieve your academic goals. Mart 362 is very student-centered and flexible within the structured weekly format. It is an appropriate course for students with learning disabilities, although students are required to manage their time efficiently within the weekly deadline format. Most students with disabilities are successful without special accommodation. But Canada College has an on-campus lab with talking computers, print enlargers, tactile maps of the campus, and other alternate learning options. If you or anyone you know would benefit from such a service, please call the Disabled Student Services Office (650)306-3259 or the TDD line (650)306-3161.
Please note that you must identify yourself as a learning disabled or physically challenged student at the beginning of the semester in order for me to get you the help you need.
ACADEMIC HONOR CODEAll students are expected to know and adhere to the Canada College Academic Honor Code. Students who violate this code will be subject to the academic and administrative consequences set forth by the code. In short, don’t submit work that is not your own or use copyrighted work without permission. If you aren’t sure, ask.
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIORAll students are expected to know and adhere to the Canada College Student Conduct, Discipline & Due Process Code. Students who violate this policy will be immediately excused from class until meeting with the Dean of Students, who will explain Canada student code of conduct.
I have read and accept the terms of this syllabus
Signed: ___________________________________________
Date:______________________