COURSE SYLLABUS COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE: PHTC 1311 Fundamentals of Photography COURSE (CATALOG) DESCRIPTION: This course is an introduction to camera operation, image production, composition, supplemental lighting and use of exposure meters and filters. INSTRUCTOR: Jerry Vavra OFFICE: Building S OFFICE HOURS: MWF 11-12pm TTH 9-11am CONTACT INFORMATION (TELEPHONE AND EMAIL): 956.364.4721 jvavra@tstc.edu MAJOR COURSE REQUIREMENTS: This course has been divided into ten units and they are on: A. Camera Choice B. Proper Exposure C. Motion Shutter Speed D. Available Light Black and White E. Macro F. Landscape - HDR G. Portrait Photography Lighting and Posing H. Portrait Photography - Editing I. Focus Stacking J. Advertising In each unit you will be given a lecture/demonstration and then be expected to perform the assignments for each unit. Each assignment will be demonstrated and explained so that you can then attempt it. After each unit there will be a knowledge exam and a performance exam. Each exam is based on the information discussed during the lecture, the reading assignments and the lab assignments given.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: 1. Students will compose a scene and appropriately choose the correct composition to tell a story. 2. Students will meter a scene using the correct metering mode in order to achieve proper exposure. 3. Students will choose the correct shutter speed to show movement through freeze frame and motion blur. 4. Students will assess a scene and determine which aperture to use for depth of field. 5. Students will explain what ISO is and its advantages and disadvantages. 6. Students will explain different lens types and choose the correct one based on the composition. 7. Students will explain all of the different focus modes and modify them based on the composition. 8. Students will manipulate images in Photoshop to enhance their artwork. 9. Students will demonstrate High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography for landscape compositions. 10. Students will demonstrate Focus Stacking to add more depth of field in macro product photography. 11. Students will assess a background to place a subject in the scene to better enhance the composition. 12. Students will explain the difference between diffused and hard light sources and how they can be used to better enhance the subject. COURSE SCANS COMPETENCIES Competency Number 2C 5B 7A Competency Statement Serves Clients/Customers Applies Technology to Task Creative Thinking Instructional/Evaluation Methodology
MAJOR COURSE LECTURE, TOPICS DESCRIPTION/REQUIRED/RECOMMENDED READINGS/ELECTRONIC RESOURCES TO VIEW: Tentative Schedule (Subject to change by your instructor) Week Topic/Lecture/Event Required/Recommended Readings/Electronic Resources to View 1 - Course Orientation Lecture pdfs on - Introduction to class Website - Lecture Analog vs Digital - Lecture Bit Depth - Lecture Resolution - Quiz - Concepts 2 - Lecture (F-Stop, Shutter Speed, ISO) Lecture pdfs on - Lecture Types of Lenses - Lecture Exposure Settings - Quiz Lenses and Exposures 3 - Lecture Composition Lecture pdfs on - Assignment Composition Find 4 - Lecture Proper Exposure - Topic Exposure Metering - Assignment Proper Exposure 5 - Lecture Motion (Emphasis on Shutter Speed) - Lecture White Balance - Lecture Focus Modes - Assignment Motion 6 - Lecture Available Light (Emphasis on Black and White with Texture) - Lecture Zone System - Topic Light Types (Hard, Soft) - Assignment Black and White 7 - Lecture HDR Photography in Landscape (Emphasis on light direction and composition) - Lecture HDR Editing in Photoshop - Assignment Landscape HDR 8 - Topic Nature Macro Shooting - Lecture Macro Focusing - Assignment Macro Photography 9 - Lecture Portrait Photography (Emphasis on posing people and camera settings to freeze frame subjects, looking for backgrounds and diffused lighting) - Assignment Portrait Photography Lectures and Assignment on Lectures and Assignment on Lectures and Assignment on
Week Topic/Lecture/Event Required/Recommended Readings/Electronic Resources to View 10 - Lecture Focus Stacking (Emphasis on manual focusing multiple distances and stacking final photos in Photoshop) - Assignment Focus Stacking 11 - Final Project Food Photography (Emphasis on light, camera settings, composition and focus) Final Project on 12 - Final Project Food Photography Final Project on REQUIRED TEXT AND MATERIALS: NONE Reading material is provided to class through use of articles on the Internet and tutorials creation by Instructor through. Suggested books are listed below. Photography Tenth Edition ISBN-10: 0-205-71149-9 1 Digital Camera with Manual Settings Types of cameras will be discussed at the beginning of the course so you will better understand what to purchase before you purchase. Do not purchase camera until you have Instructor s approval on the camera. Below are some examples of cameras you can purchase. 1 (at least a) 1GB Storage card for your camera All cameras are different. Some take SD cards and others take CF cards. 1 Tripod This can be a table-top tripod or a standing tripod. Like anything else, you can have expensive ones and cheap ones. I will go over the different types in the course. Remember to ask before you buy. GRADING CRITERIA: GRADING SCALE: Lab Assignments 60% 90-100 A Inspiration 5% 80-89 B Quizzes 10% 70-79 C Final Test 10% 60-69 D Final Project 15% >-59 F
DEPARTMENT PARTICIPATION POLICY: A. Late Work and Excuses Course projects must be turned in by the deadline, otherwise a written excuse allows for the days missed for late work. Coursework will not be accepted after the additional days an excuse allows for. The student responsible and held to any deadlines or new projects assigned during an absence. B. Class Work, Lab and Participation TSTC s goal is to provide students with experience and exposure to skills that a graduate will likely encounter on the job. In keeping with this concept, students are expected to be punctual and attend lab time to work on projects and sharpen skills, turn in assignments when they are due, and employ the means to get things accomplished as needed. The time provided in class and labs is sufficient to complete the required assignments and projects. ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT: If you have a documented disability which will make it difficult for you to carry out classwork as outlined and/or if you need special accommodations due to a disability, please contact (956) 364-4520 or visit the Support Services Office in the Auxiliary Services Building as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements. CLASS POLICIES: Copyright Statement The materials used in the course [textbooks, handouts, media files (podcast, MP3, Videos, RSS (Feeds), and all instructional resources on the colleges Learning Management System ()] are intended for use only by students registered and enrolled in this course and are only to be used for instructional use, activities associated with, and for the duration of the course. All materials generated for this course, which includes but are not limited to syllabi, quizzes, exams, lab problems, in-class materials, review sheets, and any additional materials. These materials may not be retained in another medium or disseminated further. They are provided in compliance with the provisions of the Teach Act. These materials may not be reproduced, displayed, modified or distributed without the express prior written permission of the copyright holder or TSTC. For further information contact your instructor. Communicating with your instructor (MyMail E-mail System) All official college E-mail to students is sent through MyMail, the official student e-mail system at TSTC Harlingen. When communicating with instructors and/or employees of the college, you are required to use your TSTC MyMail student e-mail address. If you choose to forward your e- mail to another account, please be advised that you must respond from the MyMail account.
TSTC Harlingen faculty, staff, and students are asked to report all threats, perceived or real, immediately to College Police located in the Auxiliary Building. If the threat is imminent, the College Police emergency phone line at 364-4234 or 9-911 should be called. College Police will then coordinate the proper response in accordance with State and federal laws and TSTC System/College rules and regulations. NOTE: Any changes to this syllabus will be provided in writing to the student and updated on all posted locations (HB 2504, course sites, building offices, etc.).