FINAR 227 The Art of Photography
Spring 2011, T/TH 10:50-12:05, CH 336
Instructor: Ivette Spradlin
Email: ivette@ivettespradlin.com
Office Hours: T/TH before/after class or by appt.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this introductory course, students will explore photography as a fine art medium, and gain experience using the medium for their own creative expression. This course in creative arts will provide students with an opportunity to develop integrative skills that include problem solving, critical analysis, and artistic expression. We will practice photography in the context of the medium’s use as an art form, and will balance studio assignments with critical discussions of significant work from the history of photography. The technical, formal, and conceptual elements of photography will receive equal emphasis as students learn to use the technology at hand to produce images that are meaningful and well-made.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
-Be able to make the most of the cameras available to them, understanding how to create a successful image despite the cameras limitations.
-Become proficient in Photoshop, as used for basic photographic practices; familiarity with digital workflow, understanding of image resolution, file size, cropping, color correcting, and minor touch up.
-Recognize artistic formal elements in photographs as well as analyze and articulate their use in successful compositions.
-Understand conceptual trends with the history of photography.
-Have complied a portfolio of work both online and in print that is technically proficient and represents your unique artistic vision.
REQUIREMENTS
This is a studio photography course and most of our work will be on creating successful photographs: making interesting choices, working well with the camera, using Photoshop and Lightroom appropriately, and obtaining high quality prints. Additionally, we will spend time looking at the history of photography and discussing it as an art form. Photographic projects will be presented in critiques, and students will be called upon to verbally defend their work and provide helpful feedback on the work of others. Students will be expected to read, work on ideas, shoot pictures, edit their work, and have quality prints made, all outside of class. Good art takes time!
GRADING
50% Assignments 20% Final Project
10% Group Presentation 20% Participation
A: 93-100 B: 83-86 C: 70-76
A-:90-92 B-:80-82 D: 60-69
B+:87-89 C+:77-79 F: Below 69
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Your attendance is essential for your success in this course. Attendance, completion of assignments, as well general involvement in this course is your participation grade.
You should always contact the instructor if you plan to miss class. The instructor will not provide notes or “recap” missed lectures.
If you miss more than 3 classes, your final grade will drop a letter grade. Five or more absences and you fail the course. If you miss a critique, you will fail that assignment. YOU MUST ATTEND CLASS ON CRITIQUE DAYS!
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
As a student at Duquesne University, you are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity. All projects and papers must be your own work. Violations of these policies will result in penalties that may include failure on the respective assignment or failure of the course.
DISABILITY
If you have a special need or consideration that I should be aware of, please let me know by the second week of class so we can make any necessary accommodations. Please be aware that you must provide the University with proper documentation to that effect.
MATERIALS
-Digital Camera - 8 megapixel minimum with sufficient storage on the memory card(s).
-Tripod will be needed for some assignments
-Flash Drive with at least 1GB of space to store your files on, these are cheap and very useful get more space (i.e. 2GB, 5GB, etc. drive) if you can afford it. It will come in handy!
-Students will be responsible for the cost of their own prints. You will be told when you need to have prints made for which assignments and at what size they need to be. You must plan and budget to have these prints made before critique day!
-Portfolio 8.5 x 11” Archival Presentation Book
-Small journal/notepad
RETAILERS & SUPPLIERS
-Utrecht Art Supplies, 1930 E. Carson St. (at 20th), Southside 412-432-1945
-Bernie’s Photo Center, E. Ohio Street, 412.-231-1717
-Ritz Camera, 539 Liberty Ave, 412-471-8220 and 431 Smithfield St. 412-765-3600
-Filmet Professional Imaging 724-265-5500
-Sukolsky-Brunelle Inc. 412-391-6440
-Photo Typography 412-261-0212
-Pittsburgh Custom Darkroom 412-321-2100
-Tom Alden Custom Prints 412-642-2729
-Photo Depot 412-741-3350
ONLINE RESOURCES
-Amazon
-B&H Photo Video
-KEH (great for used equipment)
-Light Impressions
-Utrect (Art Store @ 1930 East Carson Street)
-Target / Shutterfly / Flickr (You can set up a Shutterfly or Flickr account and order prints that are either mailed to you or you can pick them up within the hour at Target)
