ART 206

Digital Photography 1

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: None

School of Art

Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts

Arizona State University

Summer 2018

Platforms to be used

Blackboard and CritViz

Overview

Students will be taught the basics of camera operation, digital imaging software, color theory,

composition, basic optics and an understanding of the concepts behind both analog and digital

technology in photography.

Development of understanding of photography’s metaphoric and poetic aspects.

digital technology affects how we read and use still photographic imagery. We will look at how digital

technology has changed the functions and meanings of the photograph and has created new

complexities that accompany electronic imagery. In this course, we will work toward an integrated

understanding of what the translation to digital means for still photography. Beginning with an

introduction to using digital cameras, sorting, storing and developing a workflow, students will be

exposed to a variety of digital applications to create, disseminate and reflect on images through a

variety of formats including social media, personal Web pages, and one-to-one electronic

conversations.

Course Objectives

Learning Outcomes

• Working knowledge of the basic tools of digital photography including camera operation, sizing, file

format and basic work-flow.

• Understanding of photography’s metaphorical potential.

• Development and understanding of basic ideas of critique.

• Understanding of ways in which composition, color, focus, depth of field and lighting affect images.

• Knowledge of ways photographs are used and consumed digitally.

• Awareness of how photography’s versatile functions and purposes.

• Awareness of using photography as a tool of creative and personal expression.

• Awareness of the ways in which photographs function socially and politically.

• Introduction to photography in the art world and knowledge of several important contemporary photo-

based artists.

• Week 5: Space/Place/Land

• Week 6: Self-Guided Final

• Finals Week: Self-Guided Final

Readings

•Jim Stone and Barbara London, A Short Course in Photography: Digital (3

rd

Edition)

•Other reading TBA

week and perhaps even daily. The class requires sustained engagement and development

Submitting Assignments

To submit Assignments and Critiques we will be using CritViz.com. Please familiarize yourself with

the submitting procedures under the CritViz Info Tab of the Course Content Menu. Quizzes and test

will be taken and submitted through Blackboard.

Grading

implement critical feedback

• Initiative and risk level

• Technical skills/craft (relevance of skill/craft to the ideas being expressed)

• Presentation (as above, is it appropriate to the ideas being expressed and does it reflect

your sense of the importance of your work).

• Volume of production and Work in Progress (you must make many pictures and fully

participate in the in progress critiques)

Grading Scale

This class will be graded according to the following break-down of 1000 points.

A+ 1000-980 points

A 979-920 points

A- 919-900 points

B+ 899-880 points

B 879-820 points

B- 819-800 points

Each assignment will be worth a total of 100 points for your execution and understanding of the

material and 50 points for your participation in the critique.of 5 of your peer's work

150 Points - 6 Weekly Quizzes 25 points each

50 Points - Final Exam: written assessment of the material covered over the semester—

including technical knowledge and conceptual understanding of ideas covered and synthesis of

discussions. Everything including critiques, discussions, readings, and lectures is subject to inclusion

in the exam.

200 Points Final Project

a total of 200 points for your execution and understanding of the material

20 Bonus Points for Optional Participation in Final Critique

as text messages or Facebook posts. Do not expect an instantaneous reply, especially the night

before an assignment is due. I will do my best to reply within 12-24 hours, so please plan accordingly.

Note about Course Content

As is often true with college courses, you may find the images, discussion or issues raised in this

class a challenge to your belief system. This class will engage with contemporary art, sometimes

shocking, sometimes offensive, sometimes explicit, if this is something you might not want to deal

with, I suggest you enroll in another course. If you decide to stay I assure you that while I will not

censor the images or the discussion, I will pay attention to what you have to say either to me

personally or as part of the class. Your point of view is a valuable part of the discussion. Please feel

free to come to me with any concerns you might have about course content.

announcements via email and blackboard as well as other course venues for changes.

Academic Integrity

No cheating. That means you must do the work for this class yourself. Not only is it unethical and

immoral to pass work off that someone else has done as your own, it’s kind of silly to take a class and

then not do the work. You just won’t learn. This is especially true in a process-oriented class. So if

you don’t do the work you might as well be doing something else with your time. That said, if you still

decide to cheat and you are caught, you will fail the class. And depending on the severity of your

offense you may be subject to further disciplinary action.

ASU expects and requires its students to act with honesty, integrity, and respect. Required behavior

Students are entitled to receive instruction free from interference by other members of the class. An

Drop and Add Dates/Withdrawals

This course adheres to a compressed schedule and may be part of a sequenced program, therefore,

there is a limited timeline to drop or add the course. Consult with your advisor and notify your

instructor to add or drop this course. If you are considering a withdrawal, review the following ASU

policies: Withdrawal from Classes, Medical/Compassionate Withdrawal, and a Grade of Incomplete.

Course Evaluation

Students are expected to complete the course evaluation. The feedback provides valuable

information to the instructor and the college and is used to improve student learning. Students are

notified when the online evaluation form is available.

Syllabus Disclaimer

The syllabus is a statement of intent and serves as an implicit agreement between the instructor and

the student. Every effort will be made to avoid changing the course schedule but the possibility exists

Accessibility Statement

In compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, and the Americans with Disabilities

Act of 1990, professional disability specialists and support staff at the Disability Resource Center

(DRC) facilitate a comprehensive range of academic support services and accommodations for

qualified students with disabilities.

Qualified students with disabilities may be eligible to receive academic support services and

accommodations. Eligibility is based on qualifying disability documentation and assessment of

individual need. Students who believe they have a current and essential need for disability

accommodations are responsible for requesting accommodations and providing qualifying

Computer Requirements

This course requires a computer with Internet access and the following:

• Web browsers (Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari)

• Adobe Acrobat Reader (free)

• Adobe Flash Player (free)

To contact the help desk call toll-free at 1-855-278-5080.

• read announcements

• read and respond to course email messages as needed

• complete assignments by the due dates specified

• communicate regularly with your instructor and peers