PROBLEMS: COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY. Fall 2011
Mon-Wed : 7 to 10 pm. PHOTO LAB
PIPO NGUYEN-DUY, PROFESSOR
OFFICE HOURS: Tues 11am to 1pm
Email : pipo @oberlin.edu
…a polished and meticulous realism in which there is no sign of brush work and no traces of impressionism, the atmospheric effects being achieved by infinitely careful of ton, by the most exact study of the relative clarity of near and far , and by a precise rendering of the variations in texture and color produce by direct and reflect rays.
John I.H. Baur , Whitney Museum Director, 1954
“ Could Raphael have looked upon a Hillotype just before completing his Transfiguration, the palette and brush would have fallen from this hand, and his picture would have remained unfinished.” The Daguerrian Journal 1850
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 for intermediate photography students with a strong foundation in picture taking and darkroom practice. This is an Art Studio Class dealing with Color 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 negative, and learning how to make a fine color 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: A Sense of Place
#3: Interpretations and Reinterpretations
#4: Eden
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
= 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.
Robert Hirsh .Color Photography( open reserved). Also available at the Dome.
RECOMMENDED PUBLICATIONS
Color
Aperture Magazine
CameraWork
RECOMMENDED TEXTS
Barret, Terry. Criticizing the Photograph
Jonathan Green . A Critical History. American Photography
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://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
Manual Camera
Film
Negative Storage Container
Color photo paper
Photographic Grey Card
Hand towel
Scissors & Can Opener*
Tripod*
Cable release*
Lock for lockers
Intro to color. Fall 2011
09/07 Intro
09/12 Lecture: Intro to color
Demo: Film Developing, Color Processor, Printing
Lecture: Project #1
09/14 Work Day ( exercise #1)
09/19 Workday
09/21 Project 2
Workday
09/26 Critique
09/28 Critique
10/03 Movie: Box of Moonlight
10/05 Demo: Lighting
10/10
10/12Workday
10/17 Critique
10/19 Critique
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
