George Washington University, Spring 2004 Exp Photo: LowTech, 3.0 credits Class meets in SMTH 214 on Wednesday, at 1:50pm-05: 30pm from: 01/12/04 to: 04/28/04 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 utilizing lowtech capabilities such as photograms, pinhole photography and toy cameras. 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 the lowtech process 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 and use of lowtech processes in contemporary photographic practice. 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. Field trips and lectures by visiting artists are also an important component of class, as well as individual student research into contemporary photographers embracing lowtech. Course Overview: 1. Achieve an informed awareness of lowtech photography as it relates to your personal process of producing artwork. 2. Develop a more critical dialogue w/ student work & contemporary lowtech photography. 3. Develop verbal and written skills in regards to lowtech contemporary photography. 4. 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, student presentations and class participation = 50% of final grade 2. Final portfolio = 50% of your final grade. Outside Readings, Library, Gallery Visits: Many new books will be available to 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 Pinhole Journal Student Presentations. You will be required to give a 15-minute presentation on a current lowtech topic/photographer. Your idea for this presentation must be pre-approved by the instructor. Research photographers now. Below are a list 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: Aberlado Morrell Other Considerations: Snap-Shot Aesthics Toy Cameras Photobooth Machines Flip Books Cliché Verre The Return of Vintage Cameras Course Calendar, Exp Photo: LowTech, 3.0 credits George Washington University, Spring 2004 Class meets in SMTH 214 on Wednesday, at 1:50pm-05: 30pm from: 01/12/04 to: 04/28/04 Instructor: Professor Robinson Instructor Email: ebr@gwu.edu January Wednesday 14: Intro. Class. Intro. 1st assignment Photograms Wednesday 21: Discuss Agitate CD Rom/Readings. Open Lab. 1:1 meetings w/ instructor Wednesday 28: Kelly Rosebrock Visit February Wednesday 04: 1st critique on Photogram Assignment Wednesday 11: Handout/Lecture on Assgn. #2 Toy Camera Round 1 - Student Presentations Wednesday 18: Visiting Artist: TBA Wednesday 25: Round 2 – Student Presentations March Wednesday 03: 2nd critique Wednesday 10: Handout/Lecture on 3rd assignment: Pinhole Round 3 – Student Presentations Wednesday 17: No Class. Spring Break Wednesday 24: Bruce McKaig Visit Wednesday 31: 3rd critique April Wednesday 07: Review Prints for Final Portfolio Wednesday 14: Review Prints for Final Portfolio Wednesday 21: Open Lab. Wednesday 28: Final Critiques Materials List George Washington University, Spring 2004 Exp Photo: LowTech, 3.0 credits Instructor: Professor Robinson Instructor Email: ebr@gwu.edu Toy Camera: TBD (to be discussed) Holga Camera 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