Assignments:
1: Place
2: Make Darkroom Prints
3: Motion
4: Depth of Field
5: Frame/Vantage
6: Portraiture
7: The Thing Itself
Tutorials:
Using BB/Teams/Office: https://mcccphoto.com/online-platforms/
Cameras & Exposure: https://mcccphoto.com/cameras-exposure/
MIMIC Presentation
Final Presentation (see Unit 3)
NO REQUIRED TEXTBOOK FOR THIS COURSE
You will have to attend open lab hours to complete your assignments. Open lab times will be posted.
You will be given a starter kit to get you up and running for class, this will include:
- 35mm camera
- film
- photo paper
- film sleeves
- mounting boards
You will eventually need to purchase some film and paper supplies:
- https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/95769-REG/Ilford_1858468_HP5_MG4_8X10_25_Glossy_Multigrade.html
- I recommend buying from – New York Camera Of Princeton 173 Nassau St, Princeton, NJ 08542 (609) 924-7063
Get a light meter app for your iPhone or Android phone (set your ISO to 200 on your phone)
- Try Pocket Light Meter for the iPhone (or search for a free app)
- Try beeCam Light Meter for Android
Units (subject to change)
The No Photographs List:
MCCC Campus or Princeton Univ – Closeup Baby Faces – Closeup Horse Faces – Closeup Flowers – Sunsets without People – Cars without People – Unhoused or other at-risk populations (unless you have a connection or relationship to an at-risk population)
Exceptions can be made to this list if you can demonstrate a genuine connection and interest in the content and make a really interesting or different kind of photo of the content.
UNIT 1 (weeks ~ 1-4)
Introduction and review of syllabus.
What is an SLR? What is Film?
Camera Obscura:
https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/abelardo-morells-stunning-camera-obscura-images/
Demo: Loading film in camera, camera functions. Film Exposure; Practice Loading Film.
- Use Camera Simulator to go over exposure and effects:
- https://camerasim.com/original-camerasim/
- http://www.andersenimages.com/tutorials/exposure-simulator/
Expose a roll of film and process it next class
***Starting in week 3 you must always have printing and processing to do during lab hours, unless otherwise stated.***
Processing Film, Making Contact Sheets
You must have all of your materials by now. You will need your photo paper, film pages for every lab session.
Lecture: Editing Contact Sheets and Making Prints; Comparing exposures to Exposure logs. Discuss Exposure Log
Printing Photos and Contact Sheets
Shutter Speed and Aperture
UNIT 2 (weeks ~ 5-11)
Resolve any difficulties with basic print and film development.
Exposure Bracketing
Cleaning film – Dodging and Burning
Review for Quiz on exposure – processing – camera functions
Depth of Field and Motion
https://petapixel.com/2016/05/18/depth-field-explained/
Look at work by Ralph Eugene Meatyard for interesting blur photos
Schedule Mimic Presentations
QUIZ on Chemicals and Contrast Layers
OPTION TO SWITCH TO COLOR VERSION OF BW FILM: ILFORD XP2
Watch this in class: DOF – Video Tutorial
UNIT 3: Assemble Final Presentations (Weeks 11-14)
Window Mounting
Spotting prints
Making Final Selections
Final Critique: 15 PRINTS FROM THE SEMESTER; ANY 3 WINDOW MOUNTED; ONE PRINT SHOWING SOME ATTEMPTS AT SPOTTING.
-Final 10 Prints will include: 6 from any assignment during the semester, can include MIMIC; 4 from the last assignment + 2 contact sheets from last assignment
ESTIMATE AND DETAIL OF SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR THE SEMESTER
The photo programs will give every student a starter kit consisting of six rolls of film, 25 pages of darkroom photo paper, negative pages, and a darkroom towel
Students will need to supplement those materials with more film and paper at an estimated cost of $50.00-$75.00
Students do not need to purchase a film camera
Additional Supplies:
Three ring binder for negatives and 3-ring sheet protectors for prints. A Sharpie permanent marker.
Evaluation of student learning
70% – Assignments/Quizzes
Photo assignments require that you integrate many of the skills and techniques demonstrated in class. The assignment will reinforce technical concepts and require you to investigate what you want to photograph and how you want to treat the matter. You will be graded on both technical and creative aspects of your work. Quizzes will test your comprehension of assigned readings and lectures.
15% – Mimic Photographer Presentation
An oral presentation that combines biographical and aesthetic analysis of a well-known photographer with photos made by the photographer and made by the student in the style of the chosen photographer.
15% – Final Presentation
Students will organize their best work into a presentation for a final group critique. Grades are based upon technical and aesthetic concerns as well as participation in the group critique.
Course Description:
Foundation course in photography emphasizes basic techniques for the still film camera and darkroom. The development of creative visual expression is strongly encouraged.
Course Student Learning Outcomes (SLO):
Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate the use of a camera with all of its controls, including focusing, viewing, and regulating the shutter speed and aperture control (ILG 4; PLO 1)
- Utilize natural light in an effective way (ILG 4; PLO 1)
- Demonstrate proper exposure under different lighting conditions (ILG 4; PLO 1, 4)
- Demonstrate proper processing of film and photo paper (ILG 4; PLO 2, 3)
- Utilize various darkroom techniques to create silver gelatin prints (ILG 4; PLO 3, 4)
- Evaluate how well an image communicates a concept (ILG 1, 11, PLO 5)
- Criticize and defend photographs in a group setting (ILG 1, 11, PLO 5)
Course-specific Institutional Learning Goals (ILG):
Institutional Learning Goal 1. Written and Oral Communication in English. Students will communicate effectively in both speech and writing.
Institutional Learning Goal 4. Technology. Students will use computer systems or other appropriate forms of technology to achieve educational and personal goals.
Institutional Learning Goal 11. Critical Thinking: Students will use critical thinking skills understand, analyze, or apply information or solve problems.
Program Learning Outcomes for Photography (PLO)
- Demonstrate proficiency with photographic capture devices;
- Process, manipulate, and print images in photographic labs;
- Practice archival image work flow;
- Integrate different techniques and approaches to photography and digital imaging;
Analyze and evaluate images in the context of group critiques;