PHOTOGRAPHY I - NYU FALL 2010

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1 PHOTOGRAPHY I - NYU FALL 2010 Romeo Di Loreto, Professor Office hours: By appointment Mobile phone Romeo153@interfree.it Danilo Zappulla, Assistant Professor Mobile phone danizap@libero.it Lecture: Tuesday 3:15/6:00pm : Monday 3:15/6:00pm & Thursday 8:45/11:30am COURSE LOCATION Please note that the course is held in 2 different buildings, located in the same street. Lectures - on Tuesday - are held at FSMGallery, Via San Zanobi 19R, while darkroom work - on Monday and Thursdays - is done in the darkrooms located at Fondazione Studio Marangoni, Via San Zanobi 32R. In the FSMGallery building, Via San Zanobi 19R, there is a library dedicated to photography. It is open every day except Sundays from 3 to 7 pm. 70% of the books are in English, and NYU students are welcomed to use it during its opening hours. COURSE GOALS To learn basic B&W photographic skills To develop individual artistic expression To develop skills in discussion of photographic work To have fun A basic black-and-white photography course designed for those with no experience in photography. Emphasis is placed on the application of technique in terms of personal expression, through the selection and composition of subject matter. Class size is limited, providing for a greater degree of individual critique and classroom participation. The course comprises technical lectures, darkroom demonstrations, slide lectures on historical and contemporary work as well as class critiques. Each student must have a camera with manually adjustable aperture and shutter speeds. The course is structured through lectures and darkroom labs, for a total of nine hours per week. Please note that darkroom schedules cannot be changed. Upon completion of the course, a student can expect to have a thorough understanding of the basics of black-and-white photography, including camera operations, exposing and developing negatives, and printing the negative to make a high quality print. Students will also develop an understanding of photography as a medium of personal expression. Assignments are designed to help explore options for technical control as well as visual experimentation. Keeping in mind the inseparability of photographic technique and expression, students will be expected to articulate their particular choices in relation to the overall conceptual approach of the projects. Reviews of technical topics will be done regularly, in order to check progression in knowledge. All papers on photographers and responses to readings must be ed to both instructors, on the due day. Handwritten papers are not accepted. REQUIRED TEXTBOOK Henri Horenstein Black and White Photography. A Basic Manual, Little, Brown and Company. Recommended bookstore: Feltrinelli International, Via Cavour 12/R PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL A complete list will be provided on first day of class. Recommended photo store: Foto Ottica MB, Via Ghibellina, 131R

2 ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS Course grades will be based on class participation/discussion, assignments, critiques, papers, quantity/quality of energy and imagination invested in each assignment, execution of photographic theory in practice, oral presentation and final critique. Attendance and promptness are mandatory; tardiness to class is not tolerated as it disrupts the class in session. Darkroom labs are mandatory class sessions. Three absences in both lecture classes and darkroom labs will result in one grade less. Chronic lateness will result in same (3 lates = 1 absence). Assignments must be turned in the day requested. No exceptions. An unexcused absence from a critique session will result in an automatic "Zero points" for that project. GRADING SYSTEM This class is an introduction to the fundamental, technical, and aesthetic issues of black and white photography, including complete instruction in 35mm camera operation, film and print processing, basic composition. Assignments will demonstrate mastery of technical skills and individual creative expression. Students can achieve a passing grade by completing the assignments, having a good attendance, and participating in class and during critiques. Project #1 Project #2 Midterm test Papers on photographers Readings Final Project/Portfolio Attendance/Participation TOTAL 30 points 20 points 100 points Grade in this class will be based on performance in the following areas: serious and creative effort evident in solution to assignments; visual and intellectual innovation; technical accomplishment; class participation. GRADES A Excellent. Work that far exceeds the requirements in craftsmanship, presentation, and visual/intellectual order, displaying great effort, progress, and technique. Concepts, ideas, and insightful participation in class and in critiques have to be of high level. A- Excellent. Great effort and progress. Creative work, excellent technique and presentation. B to B+ Good. Indication of progress; creative use of fundamental issues; good technique. C+ to B- Satisfactory to Good. Consistent attendance and effort; some progress; understanding of fundamental issues. This grade is automatically issued with three unexcused classes/labs. C- to C Satisfactory. Consistent attendance and effort. This grade is automatically issued with six unexcused classes/labs. D+ Minimum Passing Grade. Consistent attendance but minimal effort. This grade requires, as a minimum, that all project work be completed. D- to D Minimum Passing Grade. Failure to complete assignments resulting from a minimum amount of effort, poor execution, and sloppy craftsmanship in the handling of the materials with little or no class participation. Irregular attendance. This grade is automatically issued with nine unexcused classes/labs. F Fail. Unsatisfactory, almost always an indication of not enough commitment. Little or no effort with consideration to the assignments. No participation in class or critiques. Incomplete

3 submission and/or ten or more classes/labs missed. AMICI DEGLI UFFIZI MEMBERSHIP CARD NYU in Florence provides every student with an Amici degli Uffizi membership card. This card grants free unlimited admission to the following state museums in Florence: Uffizi, Accademia, Pitti, Galleria Palatina, Galleria d'arte Moderna, Galleria del Costume, Giardini di Boboli, San Marco, Bargello, Cappelle Medicee, Cenacolo di Andrea del Sarto a San Salvi, Villa Medicea di Castello, Villa Medicea di Poggio a Caiano, and Villa Medicea della Petraia. Students are required to bring this card to every site visit for this class. If students fail to bring their card on the day of class visit or they lose their card, they will be required to pay for their own admission to the museum. If the card is stolen, please contact the Office of Academic Support in Villa Ulivi immediately. Amici degli Uffizi membership cards are non-transferable and are personalized for each individual student. The card can only be used by the student whose name appears on the back of the card. Museums in some cases will ask to see a second ID as proof of identification. GENERAL POLICY AT FSM CLASSROOM AND DARKROOM CONDUCT Professors are responsible for maintaining a class environment best suited for effective learning. Remember to clean up your work area after each session and participate in cleanup of all shared darkroom and classroom spaces. ACADEMIC HONESTY AND PLAGIARISM Each student is expected to maintain the highest standards of honesty and integrity in academic matters. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, dishonesty in quizzes, tests, or assignments. Offering the work of another as one s own, without proper acknowledgment, is plagiarism; therefore, any student who fails to give credit for quotations or essentially identical expression of material taken from books, encyclopedias, magazines and other reference works, or from the themes, reports, or other writings of a fellow student, is guilty of plagiarism. Plagiarism violates the academic honest policy and is considered cheating. FOOD AND DRINK POLICY Food items and soft drinks may not be consumed in classrooms and darkrooms. Bottled water is permissible. SMOKING In an effort to provide a healthy environment for students, employees, and other who may frequent the buildings, FSM prohibits smoking inside any facility. CELL PHONES AND LAPTOPS All cell phones and laptops must be turned off when the student is participating in any lecture, laboratory, or other learning activity. Taking notes on a laptop is not permitted. PLEASE NOTE THAT PROFESSORS WILL FOLLOW THIS SYLLABUS, BUT THERE MAY BE CHANGES IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERESTING EVENTS COMING UP.

4 SYLLABUS SEPTEMBER Tuesday 7 [RDL&DZ] Thursday 9 [RDL] Monday 13 Tuesday 14 [RDL&DZ] Thursday 16 [RDL] Friday 17 [RDL] Monday 20 [DZ] Tuesday 21 [RDL] Introduction to course Syllabus review Visit to bookstore and photo store An introduction to the camera and the lens and how they function; aperture and speed Test of light meters Assign Technical Project: expose one film to be developed on Tuesday September 14th Readings: Chapter #1 Beginnings, #2 Camera Types (p. 11/14) Shooting session NO DARKROOM WORK Film development Readings: Chapter #9 Film Developing (p. 129/149) In the darkroom: how to make contact sheets. Introduction to the enlargement and the use of contrast filters for B&W Readings: Chapter #10 Making The Print (p. 161/192) In the darkroom: MAKE-UP CLASS FOR MONDAY NOVEMBER 1st. The camera, the lens and the shutter. Aperture and speed and other settings Readings: Chapter #4 The Camera Lens, #5 The Shutter. Oral review on these two chapters due Tuesday September 28 Assign Project #1 Natural and urban landscape due on Tuesday October 19. Four pictures required. On the same day, a response paper (200 words) on one of the photographers presented during slide show is required. Details given during class time Slide show #1 Further reading: Susan Sontag's article In Plato s Cave (from the book On Photography). Response paper (300 words) on this article due Tuesday September 28 Thursday 23 [RDL] Field trip to the Boboli Gardens: meet at 8:45am sharp at the main entrance of the Pitti Palace in Piazza Pitti. Please be on time! Monday 27 [DZ] Tuesday 28 [RDL] Thursday 30 [RDL] Review on Chapter #4 The Camera Lens, and #5 The Shutter Consign response paper on Susan Sontag's article In Plato s Cave Light and exposure of film; pushing and pulling film; negative evaluation Readings: Chapter #6 Film Exposure, #9 Film Developing (p. 150/159). Oral review on these two chapters due Tuesday October 5th In the darkroom: dodging and burning the print Readings: Chapter #10 Making The Print (p. 192/199)

5 OCTOBER Monday 4 [DZ] Tuesday 5 [RDL] Review on Chapter #6 Film Exposure, #9 Film Developing (p. 150/159) Characteristics of B&W film Chemicals for B&W developing & printing / Photographic Syntax Readings: Chapter #3 Black-and-White Film. Oral review on this chapter due Tuesday October 12 Thursday 7 [RDL] Monday 11 [DZ] Tuesday 12 [RDL] Review on Chapter #3 Black-and-White Film Presentation of professor Di Loreto s work Thursday 14 [RDL&DZ] Review of work done, individual meetings with professor Di Loreto. Monday 18 [DZ] Tuesday 19 [RDL&DZ] Critique on Project #1. Four pictures required Consign paper on photographer from slide show #1 Assign Project #2 The human form: portrait and self-portrait due on Tuesday November 23. Four pictures required. On the same day, a response paper (200 words) on one of the photographers presented during slide show is required. Details given during class time Slide show #2 Thursday 21 [RDL] MID TERM TEST FALL BREAK OCTOBER 25 / NOVEMBER 1 NOVEMBER Monday 1 [DZ] Tuesday 2 [RDL] NO CLASS LAST DAY OF FALL BREAK Museum visit: The MNAF The Alinari Photography Museum. Meet at FSM Gallery at regular class time. Bring your camera s Thursday 4 [RDL] Further reading: John Berger's article Uses of Photography - For Susan Sontag (from the book About Looking). Response paper (300 words) on this article due Tuesday November 16

6 Monday 8 [DZ] Tuesday 9 [RDL] Thursday 11 [RDL] Review of Mid Term Test Presentation of professor Zuppulla s work. or Filters for B&W photography and other useful tools Readings: Chapter #7 Camera Accessories Monday 15 [DZ] Tuesday 16 [RDL] Consign response paper on John Berger's article Uses of Photography For Susan Sontag. Toning the pictures, theory and practice. Meet in the darkroom lab Readings: Chapter #12 Finishing the Print (p. 229/232) Thursday 18 [RDL&DZ] Review of work done, individual meetings with professor Di Loreto. Monday 22 [DZ] Tuesday 23 [RDL&DZ] Thursday 25 [RDL] Critique on Project #2. Four pictures required Consign paper on photographer from slide show #2 Discuss final project. A project proposal is due Tuesday November 30 (300 words max) Monday 29 [DZ] Tuesday 30 [RDL] Spotting and matting. Options of presentation. Readings: Chapter #12 Finishing the Print (p. 232/236, 240/245) Consign Final Project Proposals DECEMBER Thursday 2 [RDL&DZ] Monday 6 [DZ] Tuesday 7 [RDL] Thursday 9 [RDL] Review of work done, individual meetings with professor Di Loreto; discussion on final project and how to present it. and final portfolio preparation. FINAL EXAMS Monday 13th to Thursday 16th (SCHEDULE TBA)

7 DATE TBA [RDL&DZ] Final critique. Minimum 10 to 12 pictures matted or mounted in a book or any other form of presentation, previously discussed with instructors, and a paragraph of presentation of the work: Artist Statement THE FINAL CRITIQUE (EXAM) WILL PROBABLY TAKE PLACE ON: TUESDAY DECEMBER 14th from 8:45am to 11:30am