University of the Arts, Continuing Education Digital Photography II Instructor: HINDA SCHUMAN hschuman@uarts.edu Course Description Students who have completed Digital Photography (CE 2708/2709) or who are comfortable with the use of a digital SLR camera will expand photographic competency and aesthetic sensibility while learning techniques to improve work and build a greater understanding of image manipulation, retouching techniques and advanced functions of the digital camera. During digital lab sessions, students examine advanced retouching, layering, masking, color management, and the use of adjustment layers to modify and enhance their images. How to manage color correctly and easily, and file formatting is also covered. The course stresses the development of a cohesive body of work with the final goal a series of project-based photographs. Prerequisite CE 2708 2709 Digital Photography or equivalent experience Course Overview/Objectives The Digital Photography II class is designed for students with a good understanding of their digital camera and compositional elements of photography. Students should be able to work with various light sources including flash and natural light. Students are required to have an external flash unit for their DSLR camera. We will work in camera raw, and process with Adobe Photoshop CS5 + Adobe Lightroom 3. The class will focus on improving the student s visual literacy, understanding of workflow, photographing using different light sources and working on projects during the term. We will also spend time looking at the history of, and current culture of photography. Students will be required to view one photography exhibit during the term and write a critical evaluation of the exhibit. Students will improve their understanding of the camera operations in manual and other modes. They will become comfortable working in a variety of settings, and having the camera working for them as a comfortable tool, not a formidable opponent. They will also work towards an understanding of what makes a good photograph, and what makes a great photographer by looking at the work of others via exhibits, books and websites. We will also spend time looking at commercial photography, art, journalism & documentary photography. The goal is for students to understand the various categories inherent in photography. An understanding of working in themes, or an extended subject will be part of the Digital II goals. Students will also use Photoshop CS5 to work with adjustment layers, and color correction. Students will also become comfortable with processing their RAW images, and creating a body of work. It is also expected that students will begin to be able to offer verbal assessment of their own work as well as that of others. Understanding the language of photography is a component of this class. Students will be evaluated on project completion, class participation and overall growth over the course of the term. Students are to arrive on time to class and arrive prepared for the class activities. Student grading, where applicable, is based upon the following: Final Project, 30% classroom participation, 25% weekly assignments done on time and completely, 45%. Students are responsible for any printing, and should have access to photography software outside the classroom.
Course Materials Texts Digital Photography Master Class- Tom Ang ISBN-10: 9780756636722 ISBN-13: 978-0756636722 ASIN: 0756636728 Available on Amazon On Photography Susan Sontag ISBN-10: 0312420099 ISBN-13: 978-0312420093 Available on Amazon Equipment Digital SLR camera - camera must shoot in camera raw Flash unit Tripod/monopod is helpful but not required. Course Schedule Session #1 June 8 Students should bring 6-10 photographs, in print format that represent their current work. (current means that the photographs were completed within the last year). We will do an informal evaluation of each person s work and you will be asked to introduce yourself via these images. Overview of class Student s expectations Technical issues Class requirements Use of external flash (Continued) 2
In class photo assignment Students will go outside and photograph the following assignments which we will review this same night. an image with shallow depth of field an image with great depth of field an image that is bracketed a total of 2 stops over and 2 stops under freeze motion blurred motion an image that is graphically strong - employing either the rule of thirds or leading lines or both Out of class assignments Due June 15 p. 248-269- Chapter 14-portrait photography in text Digital Photography Master Class- Tom Ang On Photography, Susan Sontag, Chapter 1 In Plato s Cave Self-portraits You are to shoot self-portraits 5 days in a row. Please place into drop box, one image from each day, (5 images) and bring your entire take from the week on a disc, or stick, or your own drop box- site. These images are to be well composed and well lit. This is the hardest assignment of the term. Session #2 June 15 Review/Critique - self-portraits assignment Overview of self-portraiture - historic/contemporary context Processing in Photoshop/Bridge + Adobe Lightroom In class photo assignment Students will photograph their choice of subject using different compositional elements in each image. Students must photograph the following - an image that shows shape +/or pattern-think about contrasting the shape with its surroundings an image where the background is more important than the foreground This assignment will be critiqued in class - individual +/or small groups (Continued) 3
Out of class assignments Due June 22 Chapter 6, p. 92-111, Mastering composition Digital Photography Master Class- Tom Ang Look at the work of the following photographers, (online or in books) and choose one of the photographers. Then, make an image in the style of the photographer you have chosen. Try and learn something about the background, philosophy and trademarks of the photographer you are emulating. Session #3 June 22 The photographers are (in no particular order) Larry Fink, Thomas Eakins, Walker Evans, Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Larry Sulton, Cynthia Perez, Josef Koudelka, Alice Smeets, David Hockney, Paul Strand, Edward Weston, Irving Penn, Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Mary Ellen Mark, Josef Sudek, Arnold Newman Blending flash and natural light to create images with power We will discuss how to use your flash as a secondary lighting source and how to get it off the camera/indirect usage High-key + low-key lighting and call both into practice in the field Lighting for mood, and what backgrounds work with what subjects and intensions. You will be assigned to shoot your flash assignments for different editorial situations. Some students will be assigned to shoot for a newspaper, a fashion blog or a business client Instruction in lighting + composition We will then go out and use what we learned to create images of people + environments with balanced lighting (w + w/out flash) Out of class assignments Due June 29 Chapter 10 - Perfecting the Image, p. 160-180 Digital Photography Master Class- Tom Ang On Photography Susan Sontag, Chapter 2- America Seen Through Photographs, Darkly. ing long, wide, close-up + distance. 4
Session #4 June 29 How to talk about photographs We will look at descriptions of photographs, categories of photographs, and putting photographs in context. We will describe images using their form, style and compare and contrast them with other images. This is a preview for your exhibit assignment. It also will begin to give us language and ideas to talk to each other about our work. Tonight we will spend time going over your photographs in the style of and review your shooting assignment from last week. In class photo assignment Doorways of Philadelphia Out of class assignments Due July 6 th Chapter 17, p. 294-305 Sports Photography Digital Photography Master Class- Tom Ang Create images that define the three lighting forms indicated below. You can do these outside or inside. The lighting can be under your control, or you can work your magic using natural light. Think about time of day, quality of weather/lighting and do not leave this for the last day. It won t happen in a single day. Also, consider shooting fire-works and the crowds that are watching them. Directional light Soft light Extreme light Bring to class one image of a sports feature shot and one image of sports action. These can be from books, newspapers, or from an online site. Session #5 July 6 Shutter speeds We will look at the difference between sports action and sports features and discuss how to shoot various sports. Emphasis will be on working fast- shooting fast and being able to predict action as well as how best to react to it. We will go out tonight and shoot sports action +/or sports features. We will probably meet somewhere in Fairmont Park- TBA. Be sure to have cameras and if you have a long lens and monopod this is a good time to put them to use. (Continued) 5
In Class Presentation of last week s homework - of sports image from other sources. Out of class assignments Due July 13 Sports section of a Sunday newspaper Tutorial p. 116-125- perfecting your timing Digital Photography Master Class- Tom Ang Go out and shoot a sports assignment feature or game action/sport action. (Baseball is a game, cycling is a sport) Session # 6 July 13 Discussion of final project. Review sports images The abstract + the surreal Examine the work of Man Ray, Olivia Parker, Maggie Taylor, E. J. Bellocq, Bill Brandt, Brassai, Maholy- Nagy, Paul Outerbridge, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Hans Bellmer and others. In class photo assignment Surreal photography inside +/or outside- be prepared for either with your tri/monopod, etc. Be sure to have cameras with you + at least one object- a banana, a mask, a stone, a candle, etc. Out of class assignment Due July 20 On Photography, Susan Sontag, p. 153-182, The Image World Create an abstract +/or surrealistic images Drop it in your folder Include several variations on the theme Have one final image and 3 or 4 variations either of the image or the idea 6
Session # 7 July 20 Text + Image Class will be out shooting a photograph for use as a magazine cover Concentration will be on the combination of image + text Class discussion on the relationship between text + images In class we will do some brief writing exercises demonstration of the text tool in Adobe Photoshop We will review your abstract images Your final project should be well past the thought stage at this time Out of class assignment Due July 27 Writing Compose something of your choice + use 3 photos to illustrate it You may shoot first write second Session #8 July 27 Final project must be approved by me during this session Please come to class prepared with between 3 + 5 images you will be using for your final Individual meetings this evening to go over your project In class assignment While students are waiting to meet to review their final projects, they will go out and shoot a scene with a unique perspective. Subject is at students discretion Consider how to make an image different from what it appears on the surface Please drop your images (at least 2) in drop box Out of class assignment Due August 3 Tutorial, chapter 20 Fine Art Photography, p. 330-431 Digital Photography Master Class- Tom Ang Continue shooting images for final project 7
Session #9 August 3 Triptychs Students will shoot, in/out of class, with the goal of producing three visually strong images Final three images will be edited + recomposed in Adobe Photoshop Edited work will make visual, structural, chromatic +/or topical sense when placed together Each image may/may not be able to stand alone, but the sum will definitely be greater than its parts Session #10 August 10 Final presentation + critique Students will present final projects to class in the form of prints or as a web presentation Final project + all images you have shot during the prior 10 sessions must be submitted on a CD in JPG format Please label the CD with your name and the class name/semester Please have the CD in a jewel case Please have final project as JPEGs in your drop box folder as well All students are expected to attend classes regularly and promptly, and for the duration of the scheduled instructional time. Individual instructors will decide the optimum time for taking attendance and may penalize for habitual lateness or absence. Repeated absences may result in a grade of F for the course. Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing. Nonattendance does not constitute an official withdrawal. To have ACT 48 Activity Hours for this course reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, you must complete and return the CE Request for Activity Hours Submission Form to the UArts Continuing Studies Office and meet all requirements outlined by the PDE. The University of the Arts reserves the right to cancel classes due to low enrollment, reschedule any course or to change the instructor. If a cancellation should occur, students will be notified prior to the start of classes and will have the option of taking another course or receiving a full refund. The University is not responsible for supplies that may be purchased in advance. 8