PH 200 A, Photo II Core The Corcoran College of Art & Design Instructor: E. Brady Robinson Fall 2003 Class Meets: Tuesdays, 8am - 12:30 pm. Downtown 18 A & B Instructor Email: Brady, er39@georgetown.edu, Photography Dept. Phone: 202.639.1800 ext 454 Course Description: The sophomore program is structured and based on a range of assignments that encourage the student to explore personal sources of image making as well as different ways of seeing. While assignments provide the basic structure for the class, students are allowed ample freedom for individual expression and interpretation. Frequent group and individual critiques provide the basis for intensive dialogue on the content and style of each student’s work. In addition, time will be used for darkroom work, field trips and presentations by visiting artists. Reading assignments, slide lectures and class discussion will examine various critical approaches to photography. Course Objectives: 1. To discuss and examine the criteria for creating a successful photograph. 2. To expand one’s technical and aesthetic knowledge of the photographic medium. 3. To experiment with different possibilities in equipment, film, paper, techniques & imagery as appropriate to the types of images created. 4. To establish good lab habits, as well as a professional standard for good prints & print presentation. 5. To learn editing and aesthetic principles necessary for the communication of ideas through visual imagery. 6. To complete a final portfolio of 10 images based on the 20/40/10 assignment. Develop a personalized approach to working on a series throughout of the semester. 7. To develop written criticism regarding a contemporary photography exhibition. Attendance: No unexcused absences, or tardiness will be allowed at class meetings, lectures, critiques or individual appointment. One unexcused absence or two lates can result in lowering you class standing by one letter grade, depending on your scheduled class activity and circumstances of your absence. If you know ahead of time of being absent, notify the instructor as soon as possible and do not schedule any appointments on a critique day. Critiques start promptly, come prepared and on time. If you are late, do not interrupt a critique that has started. 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. ** Please turn off cell phones/beepers before entering class discussions, lectures, and critiques. Remember no eating/drinking in the darkroom. * Cancellations due to weather will be announced on Channels 4, 5, 7, WTOP radio, and the college phone line is: 202.639.1800. Grading: Grades are given equal weight to attendance, participation, and your work. 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. Poor work; lack of participation will earn a “D.” When you have failed to accomplish the course objectives by not completing assigned course work, not participating in classes and/or labs, and have excessive absences/lateness classes you will fail and earn an “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. Failure to participate continued lateness. F=Failure - lack of understanding in all technical areas, portfolio is incomplete and student lacks ability to submit work of any significance or quality. Lateness/Excessive Absences. 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, which includes being on time, and not leaving early. 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. D. Participation in the orderly functioning of the lab...set up/clean up, respect/ care of equipment, proper return of borrowed equipment. 3. A final grade will be determined by both Core II instructors. 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. 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. 5. Technical proficiency - skills in processing, printing and final presentation are judged by fine art standards, technique should be appropriate to the image and idea. 6. The responsibility of reading the book and generating class discussion. Course Calendar: Tuesday AM 8:00-12:30 w/ Brady Sept. 9 Intro. Class, Assignment #1: Unfinished Business Sept. 16 1st Critique, “Unfinished Business” Intro. to Book + Reading Assignments. Sept. 23 Handout on Assignment #2 Vantage Point & Empty Full Sept. 30 Work on Vantage Point & Empty/Full Assignment. Oct. 7 2nd Critique. Vantage Point, Empty/Full Assignment Oct. 14 Intro. to Assignment #3 Real/Unreal Oct. 21 Work on Real/Unreal Assignment. Review prints with instructor. Oct. 28 Intro. to Final Assignment 20/40/10 Nov. 4 3rd Critique. Real/Unreal Assignment Nov. 11 Visiting Artist Lecture: TBA Nov 18 Visiting Artist Lecture: TBA Nov 25 Review Work Prints. Dec. 2 Review Work Prints. Dec. 9 Finalize 20/40/10 Assignment. Mount/Spot. Dec 16 Final Critiques with Entire Class Supply List Core Photo II 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 1 box, 100 sheets Ilford RC Paper, 5x7” 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: Criticizing Photographs, An Introduction to Understanding Images, 3rd edition by Terry Barrett. Mayfield Publishing Co. Mountain View, CA. Copyright. 2000. ISBN#0-7674-1186-2