SAN FRANCISCO ART INSTITUTE
PH-120-1 DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY I
SPRING 2012 TUESDAY, THURSDAY, 9:00 – 11:45AM, 20A
INSTRUCTOR
Sean McFarland
Email: mcfarland.sean@gmail.com (faster response) OR smcfarland@sfai.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of digital photography, applying the basic principles of the medium and the comparable concepts and history of traditional photography. Students will gain an understanding of digital image creation and capture, image adjustment, file management, and digital fine art printing methods. In the classroom, through lectures, critiques and discussions, students will develop an ability to think and participate in critical discourse regarding images and image making.
TECHNICAL STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
· Operation of manual, digital SLR cameras
· Basic color management
· Basic scanner operation
· Resolution management and output of digital files to print
· Adjustment and manipulation of digital photographs
· Fine art inkjet printing
· Archiving and storage of digital images
· Completion of successful and coherent portfolio of 10-15 exhibition quality images
GRADING
75% - Participation and Studio Project Assignments (all equal in weight)
25% - Final Project
25% - Final Project
Unexcused absences will result in a lower grade. Three absences will lower your final grade by 10 percent (one letter grade). Six or more unexcused absences will result in a failing grade. If you’re going to be absent, please let me know. Persistent lateness will result in a lower participation grade.
GRADING POLICY
A
Inspired growth and/or consistent excellence
Strong contribution to class critiques
Punctuality and outstanding class participation
Have no more than three unexcused absences
Punctual
B
Consistent high quality response to assignments
Active participation in critiques
Punctuality and appropriate class participation
C
Average response to assignments
Marginal attendance and participation
D
Little or no effort in work and in participation
F
Failing grade
TEXT
There is currently no requirement for purchasing a textbook. Most, if not all readings throughout the semester will be provided.
BLOG
All handouts can be found at the class blog. If you miss a lab/class, you are responsible for finding the time to make up the work on your own. This is be resource for you to use throughout the semester. However, do not rely on it as substitute for being present in class.
EQUIPMENT
DLSR or equivalent with manual adjustment of focus and exposure.
At least 16 gigabytes of portable storage, flash drives, hard drives - your choice.
RECOMMENDED MATERIALS
Notebook / Sketchbook, tripod, extra battery, extra memory card
MAIL ORDER SUPPLIERS
Freestyle Photographic Supplies (THIS IS THE BEST OPTION)
B&H
LOCAL SUPPLIERS
Calumet
2001 Bryant Street at 18th Street, San Francisco, CA, (415) 643-9275
Photographer’s Supply
436 Bryant Street (Between 2nd & 3rd), San Francisco, CA, (415)-495-8640
Adolf Gassers
2181 Second Street at Howard (downtown), San Francisco, CA, (415) 495-385
Looking Glass
2848 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705, (510) 548-6888
SOME HINTS AND RULES FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS by JOHN CAGE
Rule 1
Find a place you trust and then, try trusting it for a while.
Rule 2
General Outline of Duties of a Student:
Pull everything out of your teacher.
Pull everything out of your fellow students.
Rule 3
General Outline of Duties of a Teacher:
Pull everything out of your students.
Rule 4
Consider everything as an experiment.
Rule 5
BE SELF DISCIPLINED. This means finding someone wise or smart and choosing to follow them. To be disciplined is to follow in a good way. To be self-disciplined is to follow in a better way.
Rule 6
FOLLOW THE LEADER. Nothing is a mistake. There is no win and no fail. There is only MAKE.
Rule 7
The only rule is work. If you work it will lead to something. It is the people who do all of the work all the time who eventually catch on to things. You can fool the fans – but not the players.
Rule 8
Do no try to create and analyze at the same time. They are different processes
Rule 9
Be happy whenever you can manage it. Enjoy yourself. It’s lighter than you think.
Rule 10
We are breaking all the rules, even our own rules. And how do we do that? By leaving plenty of room for X quantities.
HELPFUL HINTS:
Always be around. Come or go to everything.
Always go to classes.
Read everything you can get your hands on.
Look at movies carefully and often.
Save everything. It may come in handy later.
Sean,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the rules you posted here... I love your approach to photo education!!
I teach at a community college in the foothills and just getting some ideas for digital photography curriculum!
allison