George Washington University, Fall 2003
FA 183 Section 13 Exp Photo: Contemporary Photo, 3.0 credits
Class meets in SMTH 214 on Wednesday, at 12:50pm-05: 30pm
CRN: 76121 from: 09/02/03 to: 12/08/03
Instructor: Professor Robinson
Instructor Email: ebr@gwu.edu
Course Goals: This class is for students who have a solid foundation in the technical aspects of black and white or color photography and want to learn more about contemporary photographic practice. This is a studio-based course. Students will be expected to create a personal body of work as they develop a more informed awareness of contemporary photography and culture as it relates to their personal approach to the production of art.
Methods of Instruction: Slide presentations, lectures and discussions will focus on the development of “modern” photography through contemporary photographic practice. A few of the topics will include: the “straight” aesthetic, the “constructed” and “directorial” modes, “conceptual” photography and the use of appropriation in personal and political image making, and the relationship between the photographic image and installation art.
Critiques will take place throughout the semester so that students will be able to develop a critical dialogue with each other’s work. The critiques are designed to help formulate questions that will encourage further production, as well as foster a more critical engagement with the work.
Course Overview:
1. To achieve an informed awareness of contemporary photography as it relates to your personal process of producing artwork.
2. To develop a more critical dialogue with student work and contemporary photography.
3. To develop verbal and written skills in regards to contemporary photography.
4. To complete a final portfolio of 10 images.
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. Meetings can be arranged by appointment.
Requirements and Class Policies:
1. Attendance is mandatory. 2 absences = final grade reduction by 1 letter, 3 absences = 2 letters, 4 or more absences will result in a failing grade. Lateness is not tolerated. If you are late to class, it counts as a 1/2 absence. The same rule applies to leaving class early.
2. Assignments are submitted when due. Late assignments will be reduced one full letter grade for each week past due. Later assignments 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.
7. New work should be brought to class each week. Review contact sheets with instructor.
8. Cell phone usage is not permitted during class. Please keep your cell phone off.
9. No food or drink is allowed in the darkroom.
10. Bring all necessary materials at each class.
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 Georgetown 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.
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 excellent level of performance, you will earn a grade of A. When you have completed all assignments at a good level of performance, you will earn a grade of B. When you have completed all assignments at an average level of performance, you will earn a grade of 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.
A=Excellent -thorough understanding in all technical areas as well as inventive and well executed solutions to all assignments.
B= Good - above average understanding in all technical areas, most solutions to assignments are thoughtfully executed, some need improvement.
C= Average - adequate understanding in all technical areas, most solutions do not yield significant interpretation or insight to the problem.
D= Poor - inadequate understanding in most technical areas, portfolio is incomplete and finished work is mostly of poor quality (out of focus, contrast problems, spots, poor presentation)
F=Failure - lack of understanding in all technical areas, portfolio is incomplete and student lacks ability to submit work of any significance or quality.
2. Your personal contribution to class is also taken into consideration. Each student is partially responsible for the success of the class. Contributions include:
A. Regular Attendance. Being on time. Staying for the full class.
B. Completion of assignments on time. Projects will be accepted one week late, but will be lowered by one letter grade. Projects will not be accepted any later than one week after due date. If a portion of an assignment is late, the entire assignment will be considered late.
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. A missed critique may result in a reduction in the project’s grade.
D. Participation in the orderly functioning of the lab...set up/clean up, respect/ care of equipment, proper return of borrowed equipment.
Grade Breakdown:
1. All assignments plus class participation count for 50% of your final grade.
2. Student Presentations and Quizzes count for 25% of your final grade.
3.Your final portfolio work counts for 25% of your final grade.
Outside Readings, Library, Gallery Visits… and yes, QUIZZES
You will be quizzed on all reading assignments as well as work shown in class. Many books will be on reserve for you at the GW 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. Participate in the NY trip. 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. Do this and you will be supercharged!
Every Month purchase two periodicals 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
Student Presentations. You will be required to give a 15-minute presentation on a current topic/contemporary photographer. Your idea for this presentation must be pre-approved by the instructor. Below is a list of suggestions. You are not limited to this list. Research photographers now. Presentations Due: October 15th
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
Voyeurism
Language and Photography
Writing and Photography
Literary Devices found in Photography
Alternative Processes and The Revival of Vintage Processes
Sexuality and The Body in Photography
Concerned Documentary, and Socially Concerned Photography
Conceptual Photography
Performance Art and Photography, The Photo as Document
Evidence and Photography
Installation Art and Photography
Course Calendar, Fall 2003
FA 183 Advanced Photography: Contemporary Photo
Class meets in SMTH 214 on Wednesday, at 12:50pm-05: 30pm
Instructor: Professor Robinson
Instructor Email: ebr@gwu.edu
September
Wednesday 03: Intro. Class. Intro. 1st assignment Vantage Point
Wednesday 10: The Constructed Image Handout @2nd assignment
Wednesday 17: 1st critique. Assignment#1 Vantage Point
Wednesday 24: Visiting Artist Lecture: Kate MacDonnell
Handout on 2nd assignment: Constructed Image
October
Wednesday 01: Handout on 3rd assignment. Exploring Identity
Wednesday 08: 2nd critique on Assignment #2 Constructed Image
Wednesday 15: Intro. Guidelines and Begin Final Portfolio
STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
Wednesday 22: Visiting Artist: TBA, date subject to change
Wednesday 29: 3rd critique on Assignment #3 Exploring Identity
Special Guest: Mr. Andy Grundberg
November
Wednesday 05: Open Lab
Wednesday 12: Review Prints for Final Portfolio
Wednesday 19: Review Prints for Final Portfolio
Wednesday 26: Spot/Mount Final Portfolio
December
Wednesday 03: Final Critiques
Materials List
FA 183 Advanced Photography: Contemporary Photo
Class meets in SMTH 214 on Wednesday, at 12:50pm-05: 30pm
Instructor: Professor Robinson
Instructor Email: ebr@gwu.edu
35 mm SLR camera with manual aperture/shutter
Medium Format Camera. optional
24 rolls of B&W Film, ASA your choice
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
Required Textbook:
Photospeak: A Guide to Ideas, Movements, and Techniques of Photography. 1839 to the Present. By Gilles Mora. Abbeville Press ISBN: 0-7892-0068-6 US. $19.95
Art and Photography. Edited by David Campany. Phaidon Press. ISBN: 0714842869
U.S. $75.
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