Introduction to Black & White Photography Proposed Syllabus (15 weeks, 2 classes/week) Sarah Cunningham, Instructor Photographs really are experience captured, and the camera is the ideal arm of consciousness in its acquisitive mood. -Susan Sontag A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know. -Diane Arbus Photography is more than a medium for factual communication of ideas. It is a creative art. -Ansel Adams Photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again. -Henri Cartier-Bresson Course Description: This course will instruct the student in fundamental concepts and techniques of fine art photography, including aesthetics and technical aspects as a basis for creating a photographic image. The student will learn to use the camera, film processing, composition, print finishing, and basic darkroom printing. The student will be challenged to investigate photographic medium and consider its application to the making of art. Course Outline: Week 1A: Introduction Review syllabus, required materials & class expectations Slide lecture: Intro to Photo History Assignment (for next class): Read Chapter 1: Getting Started, Chapter 2: Camera, and Chapter 16: History of Photography Week 1B: Getting Started *Bring your camera (including lenses and manual) and 1 roll of film. Lecture: Basic Camera Operations Demonstration: Loading film and reading light meter Lab: Photograms: Experimenting with light and the silver process Shoot 1 roll of film Read Chapter 4: Light and Film and Chapter 6: Developing the Negative Week 2A: Developing 101 Lecture: Light and Film Demonstration: Film development Lab: Film development Read Chapter 3: Lens and Chapter 5: Exposure Cunningham Photo Syllabus, Page 1
Shoot 1 roll of film Week 2B: Shutter and Aperture Lecture: Using the Shutter and Aperture to Control Exposure Lab: Develop 2 nd roll of film Read Chapter 7: Printing the Positive Shoot & develop 1 roll of film about Action Week 3A: Printing 101: Contact Sheets *Bring negatives and photo paper (in unopened package) Lecture: Darkroom Chemistry Demonstration: Making contact sheets Lab: Making contact sheets Complete contact sheets for all 3 rolls of film shot to date Week 3B: The Lens (Focal Length, Depth of Field and Perspective) Lecture: Using the Lens to Control Depth of Field & Perspective Demonstration: Use 4 x5 with Polaroid back to explore depth of field Shoot, develop and print contact sheet for 1 roll of film about Foreground/Background Week 4A: Printing: Making Enlargements Lecture: The Enlarger Demonstration: Using the enlarger to make prints Lab: Making prints Make 3 prints (from previously shot rolls of film) Week 4B: Printing: Using Filters Lecture: The Process of Critique: Goals, Techniques & Language Critique: First 3 prints Demonstration: Using filters to manage contrast Lab: Using filters Reprint 3 prints using filters Print 2 additional prints Week 5A: Composition: While Shooting Slide Lecture 1: Using the Camera to Frame the World/Choosing What to See Slide Lecture 2: Self-Portraits Critique: Prints (with filters) Cunningham Photo Syllabus, Page 2
Lab: Printing time Shoot, develop and make contact sheet for (at least) 1 roll of film about Me: A Self- Portrait Week 5B: Composition: While Printing Demonstration: Editing for composition and meaning in the darkroom Lab: Printing time 5 Self-Portrait prints (shoot more film if necessary) Week 6A: Self-Portrait Critique Critique: Self-Portraits Read Chapter 11: Lighting Week 6B: Lighting Slide Lecture: Light in Photography Demonstration: Basic Lighting Techniques Shoot, develop and make contact sheet for 1 roll of film about Light Make 2 prints from Light project Week 7A: Documentary Photography Critique: Light Slide Lecture: Documentary Photography Individual Meetings: Choose Subject/Start Shooting Begin Documentary Project (5 prints due for 8B) Week 7B: Documentary Continued QUIZ: Chapters 1-7 Lab: Developing film & printing Continue Documentary Project Week 8A: Documentary Continued Lab: Developing film & printing Continue Documentary Project Week 8B: Documentary Critique Critique: Documentary Project Cunningham Photo Syllabus, Page 3
1 page essay about a photographer (bring book of his/her photographs to next class for presentation) Week 9A: Photographer Presentations Presentations: Each student presents their photographer (5 minutes) Slide Lecture: Constructed Photography Begin Constructed Photography Project (5 prints due for 10B) Week 9B: Constructed Photography Continued Lab: Film developing & printing Continue Constructed Photography Project Week 10A: Constructed Photography Continued Lab: Film developing & printing Continue Constructed Photography Project Week 10B: Constructed Critique Critique: Constructed Photography 1 page proposal for Final Project (10-15 mounted/matted prints) Shoot, develop and make contact sheet for 1 roll of film for proposed project Week 11A: Final Project Proposals Individual Meetings: Final Project proposals Week 11B: Final Project Lab Time Read Chapter 8: Finishing and Mounting Week 12A: Finishing, Mounting & Matting Demonstration: Spot Toning, Mounting & Matting Cunningham Photo Syllabus, Page 4
Week 12B: Other Presentation Techniques Slide Lecture: Books and portfolios Demonstrations: Simple bindings and portfolios Week 13A: Final Project Interim Critique Critique: 5 working prints Week 13B: Final Project Lab Time Week 14A: Final Project Lab Time Week 14B: Final Project Lab Time Week 15A: Final Project Lab Time Week 15B: Final Project Critique Critique: Final Project Required Text: Photography, 6 th Edition by Barbara London & John Upton Required Equipment & Supplies: (please wait to buy until after 1 st class) Single Lens Reflex (SLR) 35mm Camera with manual capabilities. 10-15 rolls of Kodak Tri-X film, 36 exposure Cunningham Photo Syllabus, Page 5
Binder (for negatives, contact prints, prints) Negative sheets Acrylic sleeves (for contact prints & prints) Photo paper (start with Iford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe 8x10 Glossy MGD 25sheet/pack) Filter pack (Multigrade Filter Kit Ilford, 3 x 3 ) Dust blower or canned air Mounting/Matting board & supplies ( to be detailed at end of class, wait to buy) 8x loupe Suggested Equipment & Supplies Film developing tank & 2 reels Charcoal mask Apron Towel/Work rags Gloves Scissors Grading: First 3 rolls of film: 5% Action: 5% Foreground/Background: 5% Light: 5% Documentary: 10% Constructed: 10% Final Project: 30% Quiz: 10% Photographer Essay & Presentation: 10% Class Participation (including attendance): 10% Evaluation Criteria: Originality/Creativity: Development of ideas and curiosity; personal expression. Content: Strength of concept; synthesis and compatibility of design. Did the student articulate their ideas and art elements? (The work must communicate through the use of art as a visual language). Technique: Did the student understand the materials and techniques used? Is the work well presented? (Camera craft, darkroom craft and final presentation). Design: Did the student understand the application of art elements: line, shape, space, texture, composition? (Use of light and shadow, foreground and background). Effort: Did the student make an effort to accomplish the goal of the assignment? (Commitment, individual growth, risk taking, courage, confidence and hard work). Cunningham Photo Syllabus, Page 6