syllabus

Digital Photography 1 (ART 128/DAR 128)
Fall 2008, Tuesdays 5:40 – 10:20 OR Fridays 9:10 - 1:40
Instructor: Rae Strozzo
Message phone: 520-206-6464 then enter 65314
Office hours: One hour prior to class start, one hour after class ends, or by appointment.
Email:rastrozzo@pima.edu
Class Blog: http://pimaart128.blogspot.com/

Head of Photography Area: Ann Simmons-Myers (Sam) 206-6629
Head of Digital Arts: Dennis Landry 206-6840
Photography Lab Supervisor: Linda Cooley 206-3126

Course Description/Class Objectives
An introduction to digital photography emphasizing the technical and aesthetic issues and how these qualities inform image content.

The purpose of this class is to develop competency in the digital darkroom through lessons and projects that teach photography and Photoshop skills. These skills will then be applied to developing an expressive visual language. It is the goal of this class to make each student competent in the conceptual, aesthetic and technical aspects of digital photography. Each student will be encouraged to use digital photography to develop a personal vision as evidenced in his or her final portfolio.

Over the course of this semester, you will learn the technical necessities: how to operate a digital camera, manage the image files, and various ways to output the images. You will learn aesthetics and design concepts, lighting techniques using both ambient and studio lights, concepts about perspective and color, ways to control - correct - alter your image, and much more. All of these skills, techniques and concepts are of little use, in and of themselves, but combined they will be of great importance. They are the tools with which you will express your thoughts-ideas-feelings-concepts-agendas-opinions-emotions-beliefs. Technique supports aesthetics, aesthetics supports content.

There will be 4 assignments during the semester, the class will critique each assignment, and each assignment will be worth 10% of your grade. You will also produce a final portfolio of work – made up of both images from assignments and additional work – that will be critiqued by the class and will be worth 40% of your grade. Each student is required to keep a sketch book for this class. The final 20% of your grade is a combination of in class assignments and sketchbook work, class attendance and class participation.

Class Blog:
***All assignments, class notes, important anouncements, and class calendar and calendar changes will be posted to the class blog. It is the student's responsibilty to check the blog on a weekly basis to ensure that he/she is up to date on things that are happening in and due for class. If you miss class, check the blog for any assignments that you may have missed! http://pimaart128.blogspot.com

The class is a hands on class, with demos, lectures, and student participation during every class. Students are responsible for all material delivered in each class. The class material and schedule will evolve out of the needs of the class throughout the semester; it is the student’s responsibility to know of these updates and revisions.

Contacting the Instructor:
I will accept emails at the provided address anytime. I try to check my email daily but please realize that I may not get back to you over weekends. Office hours are by appointment and can be made either the hour before our the hour after class.

Recommended Texts and Equipment:
Students are strongly recommended to own or have access to a digital camera with manual exposure control and access to a computer. Professional cameras, computers and software, lighting equipment and a studio will be provided. There may be additional supply costs in addition to course fees. Students will need a flash drive or external hard drive and a sketch book to bring with them for each class period. It is not necessary for you to bring your camera to each class. I will let you know when you need to bring it.

Required Text:
Photography Ninth Edition, London, Upton… (Pearson Prentice Hall).

Recommended Texts:
The Photograph as Contemporary Art by Charlotte Cotton
Photoshop CS3 Classroom in a Book
How to Wow in Photoshop, CS3
Teach Yourself Visually Adobe Photoshop CS3 (woolbridge)

Required Equipment:
sketchbook
jumpdrive, external harddrive or cds to save your classwork.

Recommended Equipment Purchases:
Photoshop CS4 for pc or mac
photo quality printer (these start at around $100)
extra memory card for your camera
card reader
cds
cd holder
external hard drive or jump drive
gray card
lens pen

Borrowing Equipment from PCC:
Students WILL follow all procedures for borrowing equipment from PCC. They will return said equipment in the time that PCC requires and in the same condition as at the time of borrowing. Students not complying with borrowing procedures will be restricted in their access to equipment as per the PCC Photography Department Policy. Restricted or limited access to school equipment IS NOT a valid excuse for late work.

Late Work:
I would prefer that work not be late or turned in on a different day other than your specified critique group day. If you miss your critique, you have until the next class meeting time to turn in the work for a reduced grade. Not participating in critique adds to the reduction of your grade if you are late. If it is NOT turned in by the next class meeting, the project will be given a ZERO. DO NOT turn in work to the art office without notifiying me.

Attendance:
Attendance is necessary for individual development and for valuable community contributions that each class member is expected to give. The student’s individual participation in discussions and critiques is necessary, expected and required. Regular attendance is required. Poor attendance will impact your grade, and more importantly, your learning.
Attendance and participation at every critique is required; it is the only direct method of feedback on your work and progress. The final critique is the final exam, and, therefore, attendance is mandatory. If emergency, illness, or required travel occurs during class time, please notify me through email.
**After three absences: overall grade will be reduced by a letter grade
**After four absences: overall grade will be reduced by 2 letter grades
**Upon five or more absences: the grade will be reduced to an F.
*An attendance grade is figured into your daily grades average and is worth 5% of that grade.
***I also give half absences based on missing large portions of class. I take roll before and after break, and I will dock you if you leave early or arrive well into the class. More than an hour late or leaving more than an hour early will result in a half absence for the class. Two half absences count as a absence just as if you had missed an entire day of class.

Grades:
Daily assignments 20 % (includes sketchbook, homework, in class
assignments, and attendance and participation)
Projects 40%
Final Portfolio 40%

Work completed by anyone other than you may NOT be used as a fulfillment of any project in this course. All work must be current. If you include previous work, it will be considered the same as cheating on an exam. Students are asked to conduct themselves according to the PCC Student Code of Conduct and The Scholastic Ethics Code. Copies are available in the Student Center Building and the Photo Lab Office.

Grading guidelines:
Grades are based on the following criteria:
• creative work produced in the class by the individual which successfully
communicates an idea and is aesthetically acceptable
• degree of growth made by the individual in their creative work throughout the course
of the semester.
• completion of projects by due dates
• contribution to group critiques and discussions
• timely completion of classwork work and quiz grades
• attendance

Grading Policy (for weighting scale and incompletes):
• Students may initiate withdrawal W” grade from a course only up to 2/3 into the semester. The specific date is listed in the schedule book and announced early in the semester.
• College policy now states: An Incomplete “I” automatically changes to an “F” after one year on record.
• “Y” grades are weighed as “F’s” at some universities. “Y” grades will only be given on request
• It is up to the student to withdraw from this class if so desired. Failure to do so could result in an “F”.

Photography is important, significant, meaningful, moving… and also fun. I intend to have fun his semester, I hope you do too. However… with the move of the Photography program to new facilities, there are many logistical issues that are not yet resolved. And this class will evolve as we learn both our students’ needs and abilities. These changes are good, but you will have to pay attention and stay up to date with the latest information. And, of course, your patience, cooperation and good humor will be greatly appreciated.


Classroom Behavior and Academic Integrity:
Students will comply with policies and procedures designated by the Photography Program and Digital Arts. These policies as well as other policies posted elsewhere or that develop over the semester, are binding. These policies address attendance, withdrawing from class, grading, course requirements, course content, course intent, and requirements and procedures for using the photography program’s and Digital Art’s facilities and equipment.


Saftey and Health:
Please read the Photography Program Policy and Procedure Manual

Students with Disabilities:
Reasonable accommodations, including materials in an alternative format, will be made for individuals with disabilities when a minimum of five working day’s advance notice is given. It is the policy of Pima County Community College District to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. In addition, Pima County Community College District complies with other applicable federal and state laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. No qualified person will, solely by reason of disability, be denied access to, participation in, or the benefits of any program, activity, or service offered by the College. Students who require accommodations under the ADA or Section 504 are encouraged to contact a Disabled Student Resource (DSR) Specialist on any campus. DSR personnel conduct intake interviews, prepare student service plans, and make eligibility determinations. West Campus (520) 206-6688 (Voice/TTY). http://www.pima.edu/dsr/


Students Rights and Responsibilities:
By enrolling in this class, you have specific student rights as well as responsibilities, a code of conduct, and a scholastic ethics code to follow while enrolled at Pima Community College. These policies are listed in the current student handbook and on the Pima web site. Read the student handbook completely and refer to it when necessary. Your student responsibilities are available online at: http://www.pima.edu/studentserv/studentrights

Please note, course schedules and assignments are subject to change as deemed appropriate to the instructor and reasonable advance notice of such changes will be given to students.