Monday, September 12, 2011

078/01 Fall 2001 Syllabus

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VISPRO: DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY. Fall 2011

Mon-Wed : 9 to 1145 Am. PHOTO LAB

PIPO NGUYEN-DUY, PROFESSOR

OFFICE HOURS: TUES 11am to 1pm

Email : pipo @oberlin.edu

I photograph to find out what something will look like photographed. Garry Winnogrand

I am not a Historian, I create History. These images are anti-decisive movement. It is possible to create any image one thinks of this possibility, of course, is contingent on being able to think and create. The greatest potential source of photographic imagery is the mind. Les Krim

Life itself is not reality. We are the ones who put it into stones and pebbles. Frederick Sommers

This class is designed to provide a strong foundation in picture taking and critical practices for beginning photography students. This is an Art Studio Class dealing with Digital Photography with an emphasis on the history of the medium and its relationships to contemporary culture and to the other art media .

OBJECTIVES

We will refine our camera skills, creating the good working file, and learning how to make a fine digital print. Good technical skills and a strong foundation on photographic design will help to create visually seductive and arresting photographic images.

Good technical skills and formal strength, however, are not the only goals of this class. Students will be introduced to photographic theories and issues as well. Students will be encouraged to apply their critical skills in order to discuss the photograph in both form and content, and to be able to contextualize what they learn in the classroom and what they create to the history of photography, to other art media, and to the real world.

METHODS

We will accomplish our goals through class demonstrations, studio projects and critiques lectures, reading and writing assignments, attending visiting artist lectures…….

ASSIGNMENTS

Assignments are designed to introduce students to critical photographic topics and it is organized along the timeline of the medium’s history. On the first half of the semester assignments are focused on the medium formal and technical elements. In the second half, assignments are more content oriented, and their focus will be the transgression of the medium's boundaries. Finally, students will design their own final project after having familiarized themselves with the technical and conceptual possibilities within the medium.

#1: TBA

#2: Emulation

#3: The Book

#4: HisStory

DIGITAL SOURCE BOOK (BLOG)

Each week, students are asked to collect at least 20 images to be stored for future reference. In addition to the weekly 20 new images, there will be assignments designed specifically to be included in the source book. Students will be asked to share their source books with the class and in the end the source books will be considered as a part of their final grades.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

= Your timely attendance is required

2 unexcused absents will constitute a drop, 15 minutes late is considered an absent

= Completion of all projects by the required dates. Late projects will not be considered for critique

= Class participation

= Flawless etiquette in the lab ( see house rules.)

= Meet with Instructor at least twice outside of class for progress report

HOUSE RULES

The working area and the darkroom must be kept free of personal materials at all times.

Only students enrolled in class or students with instructor’s permission can work in the lab

Students must pay the appropriate lab fee

Students must sign in each time he/she uses the lab

Students will contribute their time to the maintenance of the facilities.

If any student, after 2 warnings, continues violate lab rules he/she will loose access to the darkroom

REQUIRED TEXTS

All reading materials with the exceptions of handouts are kept in the reserved or the open-reserved sections of the art library. There are many books set aside in the open-reserved area for your independent research.

RECOMMENDED PUBLICATIONS

Contact Sheet

Color

Aperture Magazine

CameraWork

RECOMMENDED TEXTS

Barret, Terry. Criticizing the Photograph

WORKLOAD

This is a labor intensive class, which will require approximately 15+ hours beyond normal class time. During the first half of the semester it is expected that you should have a minimum of 4 contact sheets for each week. If you are signed up for this course, be aware of the intensity of the class, and schedule your classes accordingly.

COSTS

This class could be prohibitive because of its costs. Students will spend approximately $300 to $600 per semester on materials.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Appropriate clothing, shoes are required at all time. And precautions must be taken when working with extremely hazardous materials such as toners. Beyond your personal safety, you must be sensitive to our environment, you have to make sure of knowing how to dispose of chemicals appropriate and to conserve water whenever you can.

PHOTO SUPPLIERS

The Photo Co-Op

Loomis Camera, Elyria

Dodd's Photo, Cleveland

The Framing Workshop (matting and framing), Oberlin

B & H, NY. 1-800-947-7785. www.bhphotovideo.com

Abbey Camera, PA. 1-800-252-2239. www.abbeycamera.com

Freestyles Sales Co., LA.1-800-292-6137. www.freestylesalesco.com

Light Impressions (matting and framing) .1-800-828-6216

WEB RESOURCES

http://zonezero.com/

http://www.khake.com

http://historymatters.gmu.edu/mse/Photos/online.htm

http://www.masters-of-photography.com/

http://www.artandculture.com/index.html

http://www.geh.org/photographers.html

http://www.photography-guide.com/

MATERIALS

Digital Camera

Hard drive

Digital photo paper

Photographic Grey Card

Lens tissues and cleaner

Tripod*

Cable release*

078/01

09/07 Intro

09/12 Lecture: A brief history

Different files

Getting to know your camera

Fstops, Shutter Speed

Different types of light

09/14 Printing: preparing a file to print

Basic B&W printing, Color correction

Lightroom

09/19 Slide lecture

09/21 Workday

09/26 Critique 1

09/28 Critique 1

10/03 Open Lab

10/05 Demo: Lighting

10/10 Demo: Shooting in the field

10/12 Open Lab

10/17 Critique 2

10/19 Critique 2

Fall Break

10/31

11/02

11/07

11/09

11/14

11/16

11/21

11/23

11/28

11/30

12/05

12/07

12/12

12/14

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