Syllabus Art 455A: Ad Photography I, Course # California State University Northridge, Spring 2015

Transcription

1 Syllabus Art 455A: Ad Photography I, Course # California State University Northridge, Spring 2015 Instructor: Amanda Keller Konya amanda.konya@csun.edu, info@amandakellerkonya.com Office hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 9:00am 9:30am, 10:45am 11am, 1:45pm 2pm and 4:45pm 5:15pm Office Location: AC 335, AC331, Sagebrush Hall 224 or Photo Lab Office phone: (818) no voic Course meeting day, time and location: Tuesday & Thursday, 11:00am 1:45pm, AC 335 Syllabus & course schedule subject to change at the instructor s discretion. Catalog Description: Preparatory: Art 250. Professional problems, techniques and equipment of advertising photography. Activities include the use of large format camera, equipment, professional lighting, environmental and studio product photography, professional printing, and print finishing techniques. 9 hours lab. Art Department Program Goals: Basic Skills - Developing a foundation of art knowledge, theories, skills, craftspersonship and technologies, where ideas and concepts are communicated in writing, speaking and art making. Art Knowledge - Broadening knowledge of ancient through contemporary art and to develop an understanding of art within theoretical, cultural, and historical contexts. Critical Thinking - Analyzing, interpreting, and questioning traditional methodologies and pre-conceived notions of art and art making through the process of generating and solving problems. Global Perspectives - Promoting an appreciation and tolerance of diverse perspectives dealing with art, culture, teaching and learning. Art Department Student Learning Outcomes: 1. Distinguish safe and appropriate procedures and practices utilized in a photography studio. 2. Explore and demonstrate an understanding of various types and uses of light, including: continuous light and strobe, hard/direct and soft/diffused light, and primary and secondary light sources. 3. Acquire knowledge of basic studio photography fundamentals including: various lighting systems, tethered shooting, use of modifiers and GOBOS, studio backdrops and tabletop setups. 4. Create, design and produce photographic images with specific attention to concept, technique and aesthetics for commercial application. 5. Understand the difference between commercial and fine art or conceptual practices, and determine when each approach is applicable or when these genres may overlap. 6. Critique, analyze and compare personal work, the work of peers and professional work. Course Handouts: All handouts for this course will be sent via CSUN . Please be sure your CSUN webmail account is active. If you wish you may forward your CSUN account to your personal account. Students should check their for class handouts, assignments and notes prior to each class meeting. Special Needs: Students with disabilities must register with Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) in order to receive accommodations. If you feel that you quality for the services provided by DRES contact them at (818) or stop by the office located in Bayramian Hall (BH 110). Faculty cannot provide assistance to students seeking disability accommodations unless they have disability documentation and are registered with DRES. Any student who feels that he or she may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss your specific needs. 1

2 Overview & Course Requirements: 1) Student Participation, Conduct & Attendance (15 points): Regular attendance is expected and imperative. One excused absence for medical or a family emergency is allowed. Additional absences, excused or unexcused will result in a significantly lower final grade. Each student s participation, conduct and attendance grade will be dropped one complete grade for each unexcused absence. Arriving late, leaving early or coming to class unprepared without materials will be recorded as onehalf absence. A tardy student must notify the instructor at the end of class the same day or will be considered absent. All students are expected to participate in and contribute to group discussions, lab and other classroom activities and critiques. During critiques students are required to discuss both their own work and their peers work using the given critique structure and vocabulary. Students must complete all assigned readings. Students must process and print their own images unless instructed otherwise. The majority of this work must be produced during class lab time. The class will be conducted in an environment of mutual respect. Students who violate this agreement by disrespecting their peers, lab tech or instructor, will be asked to leave resulting in 0 credit for the day s participation, conduct and attendance grades. Students must abide by the student conduct code defined by CSUN. The student conduct code can be reviewed online at: Cell phone use including text messaging is not allowed during class lectures, discussion, critiques and studio production. If you must use your phone during studio time please be respectful of others by stepping out of the studio area. Please be certain that you are able to commit to both the time and financial requirements of this course. 2) Projects: (16 points each, 80 total) Throughout the semester students will produce and be evaluated on the following five projects. 1. The Portrait (1 light Split, Rembrandt and butterfly/paramount) 2. The Portrait (4 light - Key, fill, background and hair lights) 3. Metallic 4. Seeing Glass 5. Editorial and Fashion portraits using mixed light Each project is worth a total of 16 points and will be evaluated using the following criteria. Assessment and Evaluation of projects: Students must be present in class and ON TIME to turn in class projects and assignments. Absolutely no work will be accepted via , in my faculty mailbox, under my office door, etc. Printing challenges in the CSUN photo lab do not excuse late projects. It is the student s responsibility to be certain all digital files are included on a USB drive. Missing digital files is equal to NOT turning in the project. 1) Effort & Attitude (4 points): Was the student present during their given studio time slot? Did the student support their partners in the execution of the project? Was the project turned in on time? Did the student fulfill all of the project guidelines? Did the student work to their fullest potential? Was the student respectful and cooperative to peers, lab technician and instructor during the production of the project? Note on project tardiness: Late projects will only be accepted up to one week after the original due date and will result in one full grade reduction. *Late projects will not be accepted for the final project or final portfolio. 2) Development of technical skills (4 points): Did the student attempt the new techniques presented in class? Was the student successful at executing the new techniques? Did the student rely on all relevant prior knowledge to produce the strongest technical work possible? 3) Aesthetics (4 points): Student experimented with different design and compositional possibilities? Does the subject matter show the student s passion/interest for the subject? Does the subject matter illustrate the student s willingness to go out of their way for their 2

3 photographs? Did the student carefully consider the impact of light and composition on the image? 4) Concept (4 points): Does the image have a clear intent? What does the image communicate or suggest? Will your viewer be interested? The images have a clear commercial application. Please note all student projects and materials must be retrieved by the final class meeting. Neither the Art Department nor your instructor will be held accountable for storage of student work or materials. 3) Final exam: (16 points) A final print portfolio will be completed for the course final exam. All students are required to attend the final exam meeting on Tuesday, May 12 at 10:15am. Final semester GRADES will be based on: - Student Participation, Conduct & Attendance: 15 points - Projects: 80 points - Final exam: 16 points 111 total points available Course grades of A, B, C and D are based on a minimum of 90%, 80%, 70% and 60%, respectively of the total number of 135 points possible. Dropping: It is the student s responsibility to make sure they have been officially dropped from the class if a grade of W is desired. Recommended Photographic Supply Stores: B & H Photo and Video Bel Air Camera (Westwood) Kinross Gayley in Westwood Village Los, Angeles, CA (310) Freestyle Photo (Hollywood) 5124 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA (323) Freestyle Photo (Santa Fe Springs) Florence Ave Santa Fe Springs, CA (323) Sammy s Camera (Santa Ana) 3309b S. Bristol St. Santa Ana, CA (714) Sammy s Camera (Culver City) 4411 Sepulveda Blvd. Culver City, CA (310) Sammy s Camera (Hollywood) 431 S. Fairfax Los Angeles, CA (323) Required Materials: Note: Additional materials may be required throughout the course. The initial materials required may need to be replenished as the course progresses. Students will need access to a digital single lens reflex film camera (DSLR). The camera must have manual focus, ISO settings, F-stop and shutter speed settings and an internal light meter. The camera must have working batteries. A UV filter and lens cap is highly recommended. Appropriate memory card for your DSLR; 4 8GB recommended Approximately 50 sheets of 8.5 x 11 Ink Jet paper 8.5 x 11 protective print sleeves at least 2 double AA batteries a sharpie 2 USB jump drives 8GB+ Your USB drives must be labeled clearly with your first and last name on the exterior of the drives. If the drives are not labeled the project will not be graded and the student will receive no credit. These drives should be dedicated to our class only as you will turn the drives in and they will not be returned until the following class meeting. A portfolio book that will hold at least x 11 images Optional Materials: Note: The materials listed below are not required but will prove to be helpful if you choose to acquire them. A portable external hard rive. I like the La Cie rugged 1TB. A handheld light meter An Expo Disc for custom white balance settings 1 15 Tether Cable 3

4 Course Calendar Week 1 Tuesday, January 20 - Introductions, Course overview and syllabus, supplies - Lecture: Studio basics 1 - Monolights vs. Packs & Heads, lighting stands, sandbags, modifiers, - Homework: purchase materials Thursday, January 22 - Lecture: Studio basics 2 - Camera settings in the studio, transceivers, hand held light meters, V flats, shooting tethered - Present project 1-1 light portrait: split, Rembrandt, butterfly/paramount, broad vs. short lighting - Tear sheets Week 2 Tuesday, January 27 Thursday, January 29 Week 3 Tuesday, February 3 Thursday, February 5 Week 4 Tuesday, February 10 - Contact sheet production and basic portrait retouching Thursday, February 12 - CSUN print lab tutorial Week 5 Tuesday, February 17 - Project 1 due today at the start of class - Lecture/Present project 2: grids, lighting ratios, 4 light portrait: key light, fill light, background light, hair light Thursday, February 19 Week 6 Tuesday, February 24 Thursday, February 26 Week 7 Tuesday, March 3 Thursday, March 5 - Project 2 due today at the start of class - Lecture/Present project 3 Metallic: product photography, law of reflection, seamless paper sweeps, gobos Week 8 Tuesday, March 10 Thursday, March 12 Week 9 Tuesday, March 17 Thursday, March 19 4

5 Week 10 Tuesday, March 24 - Project 3 due today at the start of class - Lecture/Present project 4 Glass: Black Line/Bright Field, shooting table, flags, plexi glass, glycerin Thursday, March 26 Week 11 Tuesday, March 31 No class Cesar Chavez holiday Thursday, April 2 Spring Recess Tuesday, April 7 No class Spring Recess Thursday, April 9 No class Spring Recess Week 12 Tuesday, April 14 Thursday, April 16 Week 13 Tuesday, April 21 - Project 4 due to day at the start of class - Lecture/Present project 5 Editorial and Fashion inspired portraits using mixed light sources, continuous light, portable strobe packs, extended shutter speeds with camera and subject movement - Present final portfolio requirements Thursday, April 23 Week 14 Tuesday, April 28 Thursday, April 30 Week 15 Tuesday, May 5 Thursday, May 7 - Project 5 and FINAL PORTFOLIOS due at the start of class NO LATE PROJECTS OR PORTFOLIOS ACCEPTED! Week 16 Tuesday, May 12: FINAL EXAM 10:15am - Final exam meeting, attendance required 5

6 455A guide for turning in complete projects When turning in projects, all complete projects must include: - Original tear sheets pulled for inspiration - contact sheet (with at least 12 of your best images) - 3 prints no larger than 8.5 x 11 in size (prints should be of excellent quality, all print files must be taken through a basic workflow in PS or LR before printing) - all prints must be turned in a sleeve, all sleeves must be labeled with your name, type of shot and number - a usb drive, the exterior must be clearly labeled with your first and last name, the following folders should be set up and include the corresponding images: ProjectNumberFirstLastName: o OriginalsProjectNumberFirstLastName * include all original files from your shoot here, jpgs are ok o ManipulatedSelectsProjectNumberFirstLastName * include your best selects from the shoot and your manipulated files for printing, psd or tiff files are necessary so I can see the post production work completed no jpgs here o SetUpsProjectNumberFirstLastName * include an image of each lighting set up used throughout the shoot, jpgs are ok Your folders should look like this: Project1AmandaKonya o OriginalsProject1AmandaKonya o ManipulatedSelectsProject1AmandaKonya o SetUpProject1AmandaKonya Students must be present in class and ON TIME to turn in class projects and assignments. Absolutely no work will be accepted via , in my faculty mailbox, under my office door, etc. Printing challenges in the CSUN photo lab do not excuse late projects. It is the student s responsibility to be certain all digital files are included on a USB drive. Missing digital files is equal to NOT turning in the project. 6