Wake Forest University
Photography and Digital Imaging II
Instructor: E. Brady Robinson
Email: robinseb@wfu.edu
Class Meets: Tuesday/Thursday 12:00-3:00 pm
Office Hours: 11am-Noon, Tuesday/Thursday or by appt., phone #4177
Course Description:
This combined lecture and studio course serves as an extension of Photography and Digital Imaging I. In this class students will gain greater control with the camera and in the darkroom. Students will be exposed to a variety of camera, film and paper types, special techniques/processes and use of artificial lighting through flash photography. Students will also be introduced to medium format photography and pinhole photography. Because digital imaging has become an integral part of photography, students will move back and forth between the darkroom (analog) and computer (digital) throughout the semester. The emphasis is on fine art photography and personal expression through camera vision and digital imaging. Critiques are a valuable component to this course. Critiques will take place throughout the semester to evaluate and discuss work produced in class. Students will also develop verbal and written skills through critiques and class presentations on contemporary photography.
Topics
A variety of camera, film and paper types, developers, special techniques, use of lighting techniques, flash/artificial lighting, medium format, presentation, editing, and selection of images will all be covered.
Objectives
1. To discuss and examine the criteria for creating a successful photograph.
2. To expand one’s technical knowledge of the photographic medium.
3. To experiment with different possibilities in equipment, film, paper, techniques & imagery.
4. To establish good lab habits, as well as a professional standard for good prints & print presentation.
5. To learn editing & aesthetic principles for communication of ideas through visual imagery.
6. To complete a final portfolio of images consisting of 8 prints based on one theme or idea.
Class Policies
1. Attendance is mandatory. You are expected to be present for the entire class, including lab time. You may miss two class periods without excuse. However, each absence thereafter will reduce your semester grade by one letter. Lectures and demos cannot be made up. Open darkroom time does not serve as a substitute for class time. 3 lates =1 absence.
2. Assignments are submitted when due. Late assignments will be reduced one full letter grade for each week past due. Late assignments over two weeks past due will be subject to failure.
3. Each student is expected to participate in class discussions and critiques.
4. Each student is required to complete all reading assignments assigned on course outline.
5. Develop good darkroom habits, clean up your enlarger station when leaving the darkroom, make sure tanks and reels are washed off and properly returned completely dry after processing film.
Bring a hand towel to reduce paper waste.
6. I will meet with each student at mid-term to discuss your grade and progress in the class.
We will review all assignments completed & outline steps that you can take to improve your performance if necessary.
7. Cell phone usage is not permitted during class..
8. No food or drink is allowed in the darkroom.
Evaluation and Grading
1. Just doing the assignments does not mean that you will earn an “A” in this class. You must complete the goals for each assignment, execute at the expected level of technical proficiency, and give a professional presentation to the final portfolio. Grades are a reflection of how well you accomplished objectives set out for the course. You will be evaluated on both technical and aesthetic values. When you have completed all assignments and course work at an exceptionally high level of achievement, you will earn a grade of A. When you have completed all assignments at a superior level of performance, you will earn a grade of A-, B+, B. When you have completed all assignments at an average/satisfactory level of performance, you will earn a grade of B-, C, C-. When you have failed to accomplish the course objectives by not completing assigned course work, not participating in classes and/or labs, or missed more than 4 classes, you will earn a grade of D or F..
2. Your personal contribution to class. Each student if partially responsible for the success of the class. Contributions include:
A. Regular Attendance.
B. Completion of assignments on time. Late assignments will be graded down.
C. Willingness to participate in class discussions, this includes preparation both in
terms of completion of projects & coming to class with ideas & opinions that will promote discussion. Come prepared!
D. Participation in the orderly functioning of the lab...set up/clean up, respect/ care of equipment, proper return of borrowed equipment.
Criteria for Evaluation:
1. An acknowledged understanding of the assignment and seeking of unique solutions.
2. Demonstration of sensitivity of the camera as an image-making tool.
3. Individual initiatives and an effort to carry assignments as far as possible.
4. The ability to work independently with guidance during open lab. This means bringing new work every week to class and taking advantage of open lab time and instructor feedback.
5. Willingness to discuss openly all solutions to the visual problems you face with the class as well as the ability to respond to constructive criticism from classroom critiques.
6. Technical proficiency - skills in processing, printing and final presentation are judged by fine art standards, technique should be appropriate to the image and idea.
7. The ability to execute and develop a final portfolio of work to it’s fullest.
Grade Breakdown
1. All assignments (excluding your final portfolio work) count for 50% of your final grade.
2. Class participation counts for 10% of your final grade.
3. Your final portfolio work counts for 40% of your final grade.
Instructor/Student Communication
Please contact me at immediately if you are experiencing any problems throughout the semester.
I expect and rely on good student/instructor communication.
Honor Code of Academic Integrity:
Student will independently produce original work during the semester. All assignments (written, verbal, visual) in this course will be completed in compliance with Wake Forest University’s code of academic integrity.
-It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with the code of academic integrity
-Images from negatives created from previous semesters will not be accepted
-Collaborations must be approved in advance; negatives and prints may not be shared
-Suspicious assignments will be brought to the attention of the appropriate authorities
Disability Support Services: Any student who is registered with the Disability Support Services must inform the instructor on the 1st day of class so the appropriate accommodations can be arranged.
Outside Readings, Library, Gallery Visits:
Many new books will be available to you at the Wake Forest Library. However, you are expected to take an active position in regards to looking and learning about contemporary photography. Go to as many gallery and museum exhibitions as possible. Take advantage of departmental lectures and visiting artists. Challenge yourself and your peers. Form critique groups outside of class to share ideas and new discoveries of contemporary photographers.
Be prepared for class. Shoot film weekly. Bring new work to class each week. Keep a journal/sketchbook of your experience. Come willing and able to generate classroom discussion of reading assignments.
Every Month purchase one periodical from the following list. Bring in an article to class that interests you. Suggested Periodicals;
Afterimage, Doubletake. Blindspot, Photography Quarterly, SF Camerawork, Flash Art
Art in America, Art Forum, Pinhole Journal
Student Presentations. You will be required to give a 25-minute presentation on a current contemporary art/photography topic or special technique. Your idea for this presentation must be pre-approved by the instructor on Jan. 27th.
Research photographers now. Below are lists of ideas.
Pinhole: Photograms: Nature/Traces:
Barbara Ess Adam Fuss Ana Mendieta
Ann Hamilton Robert Heinecken Guseppe Penone
Ruth Thorne-Thompson Richard Long
Steven Pippin
Nancy Spencer
Eric Renner
Camera Obscura: Photography and Voyeurism:
Aberlado Morrell Rear Window by Hitchcock
The Box Man by Kobo Abe
Dirty Windows, Merry Alpern
Other Considerations:
Snap-Shot Aesthics
Toy Cameras
Photobooth Machines
Flip Books
Cliché Verre
The Return of Vintage Cameras
Other Topics:
The Role of Mass Media on Postmodern Photography
Identity, Culture and Politics in Contemporary Photography
The Role of Appropriation in Contemporary Photography
Contemporary Portraiture, Contemporary Landscape
The Role of Digital Art, Contemporary Usage in Photography
Language and Photography/Writing and Photography
Alternative Processes and The Revival of Vintage Processes
Sexuality and The Body in Photography
Conceptual Photography
Performance Art and Photography, The Photo as Document
Installation Art and Photography
Course Calendar
Photography and Digital Imaging II
January
Tuesday 11: Introduction to the class. Review of Basic Concepts.
Demo: “Film and Development Tests” Handout on Assignment #1 Old Business
Intro. to Book + Reading Assignments. Slides on Assignment #2 Real/Unreal
Thursday 13: Lecture: Exposure Techniques. Demo: Using Hand-Held Light Meters.
Required Lab: Work on Current Assignments
Tuesday 18: Lecture: Flash Photography. Assignment # 3 “Flash Techniques”, Lab time.
Thursday 20: Critique on Assignment #1, Old Business
Tuesday 25: Demo: Special Techniques: Toning, Liquid Light, etc..
Thursday 27: Handout on Assignment #4 The Face. Open Lab
February
Tuesday 01: Discussion/Handout on Medium Format. Handout on Assignment #5, Holga
Thursday 03: Book Review/Discussion
Tuesday 08: Critique: Assignment #2, Real/Unreal, #3 Flash Techniques
Thursday 10: Book Review/Discussion
Tuesday 15: Lecture/Assignment #6: Lowtech Approach to Photography and Funky Cameras
Thursday 17: Open Lab. Brady @ CAA Conference
Tuesday 22: Critique on #4, The Face, #5 Holga
Thursday 24: Book Review/Discussion
March
Tuesday 01: Individual Mid-Term Student/Instructor Meetings
Thursday 03: Slide Lecture: Contemporary Photography
Tuesday 08: No Class. Spring Break.
Thursday 10: No Class. Spring Break.
Tuesday 15: Introduction to Pinhole, Assignment #7 Pinhole Photography
Thursday 17: Pinhole Workshop
Tuesday 22: Critique on Assignment #6, Funky Photo
Thursday 24: Visiting Artist: Vickie Fruehauf
Tuesday 29: Student Presentations
Thursday 31: Student Presentations
April
Tuesday 05: Critique on Assignment#7, Pinhole Photography
Thursday 07: Open Lab
Tuesday 12: Individual Student/Instructor Critiques on Work in Progress for Final Portfolio
Thursday 14: Individual Student/Instructor Critiques on Work in Progress for Final Portfolio
Tuesday 19: Open Lab
Thursday 21: Open Lab
Tuesday 26: Final Critiques
Thursday 28: Reading Day
Supply List
Required Text:
Criticizing Photographs; an introduction to understanding images by Terry Barrett,
Copyright 2000, Mayfield Publishing Co., ISBN: 0-7674-1186-2
35 mm SLR camera with manual aperture/shutter
Medium Format Camera. optional
24 rolls of B&W Film, ASA your choice
35mm flash (although you may borrow one from the photo dept.)
Toy Camera: TBD (to be discussed)
Holga Camera and 4 rolls of Ilford B&W FP4, ASA 125, 120 film
110 camera
Lots of film
Lots of Paper
Energy
Enthusiasm
Willingness to Take Risks and Experiment with the Photographic Process
Hard Work
1 box 100 sheets, Ilftord Multi-Grade Fiber Paper, 8x10” or larger
scissors, can opener
hand towel
negative cleaner, q-tips
canned air
spot-tone pens
mounting board, 11x14” white
dry mount tissue for fiber paper, 8x10” or larger if needed
plastic negative sleeves
3-ring plastic binder to keep negatives
hardbound sketchbook
256 MB, USB memory stick (or other backup devices)