AP 2D Design Photography Portfolio Syllabus. O'Brian, M and Sibley, N. The Photographic Eye: Learning to See With a Camera. Davis Pub., 2006.

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1 Mrs. Billett S110 Class Text: AP 2D Design Photography Portfolio Syllabus O'Brian, M and Sibley, N. The Photographic Eye: Learning to See With a Camera. Davis Pub., Digital Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0 or higher, Adobe Photoshop CS2 or higher Class Resource Books: Fuller, Laurie Ulrich and Deke McClelland, Photoshop CS2 Bible Gassan, Arnold and Meek A.J., Exploring Black and White Photography Airey, Theresa, Creative Photo Printmaking Golden, Reuel, 20 th C Photography Hans-Michael Koetzle, Photo Icons Suess, Bernhard, Mastering Black and White Photography: From Camera to Darkroom Peterson Bryan, Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Film or Digital Camera These texts, as well as a number of other photography books will be available in the photography classroom and may be checked out with my permission. 24 quality photographic works will be required for submitting a portfolio for 2-D design This class is designed for experienced, highly motivated, dedicated photography students. Students will be required to take the AP Studio Art 2-D exam.

2 The exam is broken down into three sections: Quality, Concentration, and Breadth. The following pages will describe what is required in the these three sections as well as the assignments and requirements that will guide you through the school year. Quality In the Quality section of the exam, you will be required to submit five examples of your best work in either black and white or digital photography. In this section you do not need to show a variety of techniques or approaches, just your best work. Your best work will be chosen from the bi-weekly student critiques, as well as the guest photographer critiques, student/teacher critiques, and your own personal vision. These pieces can be chosen from class assignments as well as personal projects that you will work on throughout the year. They do not have to have a theme or be connected in any way. In the Quality section, works at this level should be: consistently of high quality, although not all pieces will necessarily be at the same level of expertise; an imaginative, inventive, and confident articulation of the principles of design; an accomplished use of the elements of design guided by the principles; a well-informed sense of composition; an obvious evidence of thinking; evidence of confidence and verve; fairly complex visual and or conceptual ideas; using materials effectively; technique should be excellent; successful engagement with experimentation and or risk taking; notable for sensitivity and/or subtlety; demonstrating informed decision making. Breadth In the Breath section you must document your experience with a variety of concepts and approaches that demonstrate your abilities and versatility with techniques,

3 problem solving, and ideation. You will need to submit 12 quality works that demonstrate these principles. The concentration should be on demonstrating an understanding of the principles of design. This range of principles should be explored: Unity/Variety Balance/Emphasis/Contrast Rhythm Repetition Proportion/Scale Figure/Ground Relationship The following assignments will help to guide you in exploring these areas. Composition Scavenger Hunt Assignment Number 1 Using these five elements of composition, you will shoot photographs that best express their principles. You will shoot at least ten photographs for each of the five areas. 1. Rule of Thirds - The photograph is divided into three areas of interest which create a balanced and interesting image. 2. Lines - Dominant lines run through the image to create an exciting rhythm for the eye. 3. Geometric Shapes - Dominant geometric shapes are pleasing the the viewer and help to create excitement. These shapes create excitement and keep the eye moving through the image. 4. Balance - Without dividing the image in half, the photograph contains equal amounts of visual imagery. 5. Fill the Frame - Be aware of everything that is within the viewfinder of your camera before you click. There should be nothing that is extra or unimportant. This is about finding the essence of the image. The subjects that you explore are up to you to choose. This can be completed with either black and white film or shot on a digital SLR camera. You will have three weeks to complete this assignment and prepare for an in-class critique. A minimum of ten images should be prepared for examination.

4 Rhythm and Repetition Assignment Number 2 In this assignment you will explore subjects and objects that repeat. The subjects can either be those that naturally repeat in your environment or subjects that you manipulate in order to show repetition and rhythm. You will need to keep in mind the elements of composition as well as strong camera technique. A minimum of two rolls of film or 50 shots will be required. You will have three weeks to complete this assignment and prepare for an in-class critique. A minimum of ten images should be prepared for examination. Depth of Field and Perspective Assignment Number 3 In this assignment you will use minimum and maximum depth of field to show perspective. Using subject matter of your choice you will use your f-stop and shutter speed combinations to express proportion/scale and figure/ground relationships. You will shoot one roll of film or the digital equivalent using minimum depth of field and one roll of film or the digital equivalent using maximum depth of field. You will have three weeks to complete this assignment and prepare for an in-class critique. A minimum of ten images should be prepared for examination. Assignment Number 4 Color Photography and Polaroid Manipulation Bright, intense color and contrast one the goal of this assignment. Students will shoot one roll of color slide film of either fashion portraits, flowers, or a combination of the two. Filling the frame and proper lighting will be the key to the success of these images. The slides will then be transferred to Polaroid film and manipulated and transferred onto a surface of your choice. You will have two weeks to complete this assignment and prepare for an in-class critique. A minimum of ten images should be prepared for examination. A Day in My Life Assignment Number 5 From the time that you wake up in the morning to the time that you go to sleep you will photograph your day every half hour. Choose your day carefully to express the most typical day in your life. Include elements of your surroundings and typical interactions that you have. Emphasis should be on proper lighting, focus, composition, and

5 technique. You will have two weeks to complete this assignment and prepare for an inclass critique. A minimum of ten images should be prepared for examination. Formal and Informal Portraits Assignment Number 6 Choose a person that you either know well, or would like to get to know better. Interview this person to find out hobbies, interests, and activities. Shoot one roll of film or the digital equivalent of your subject in that person's environment expressing unique interests. Using the studio set-up in the the photography classroom shoot another roll of film or the digital equivalent of your subject. These portraits should also express what makes your subject unique but instead of the environment you will need to incorporate props, interaction between subject and photographer, and facial expressions to show the essence of your subject. You will have three weeks to complete this assignment and prepare for an in-class critique. A minimum of ten images should be prepared for examination. Long Exposures Assignment Number 7 This assignment will test your abilities with tripods, cable releases, and long exposures. Think of a scary story that you have either heard or make a up a story of your own. Find a poorly lit location either here at school or at home. Using models and props play out this story and photograph it using long exposures and hand held flashes. A minimum of two rolls of film or 50 shots will be required. You will have three weeks to complete this assignment and prepare for an in-class critique. A minimum of ten images should be prepared for examination. Non-Traditional Darkroom Techniques Assignment Number 8 Using film that you have shot for previous assignments, you will explore various types of non-traditional darkroom technique including sabatier, solarization, liquid emulsions, bleaching and toning. You will have three weeks to print 15 black and white photographs using these techniques and prepare for an in-class critique. Infrared Film Assignment Number 10

6 You will first study the visible and invisible spectrum of light and how traditional film and infrared film handle light differently. You will then choose a subject and photograph it with one roll of infrared film. You will have two weeks to print five quality photographs and prepare for an in-class critique. Journals Throughout this class you will be expected to keep a journal of your notes and imagery. You will receive a photograph of the week which will highlight a particular photographer or photographic style that will relate to the current Breadth assignment. You will also be required to add written critiques into the journal both self critiques and critiques of your fellow students work. You will also be expected to keep detailed notes on each project including lighting, f-stops, darkroom techniques, and computer processes. The previous assignments are geared to help you with the Breadth section of the exam, but they will also give you some ideas and inspiration for the Concentration section. Concentration A concentration is defined as a body of work unified by an underlying idea that has visual coherence. The 12 photographs will be scored on four major areas of concern: Coherence and/or development- is the work presented actually a concentration? Quality of concept/idea represented- is there evidence of thinking and of focus? Degree of development and investigation that is evident in the work- including the amount of work or number of pieces represented. Quality of the work in both concept and technique. This is the section that will take the most time to complete. You will choose a theme to explore and work on that theme throughout the school year. This will be your chance to study and investigate what interests you most in photography. A theme can be as simple as Portraits or as complex as the continuous study of a singular subject. It is most important that this be a theme that is chosen early and investigated for a long period of time in order to best meet the concerns of the Concentration portion of the exam. You will also be expected to write a concentration statement. This must be completed no later than December 15 th.

7 Photographers that will be studied will include the following: Eugene Atget Elliot Erwitt Arnold Newman Eve Arnold Bernice Abbot Mary Ellen Mark Ansel Adams Alexander Rodchenko Cindy Sherman Diane Arbus Amy Arbus James Nachtwey Lewis Hine Andreas Gursky and many many more... PHOTO ASSIGNMENT GRADE SHEET AP Version NAME: Photo Shoot 642 Assignment: follows all instructions follows general idea vaguely follows Negative Focus: all shots in focus most shots in focus few shots in focus Lighting: all shots clearly lit most shots clearly lit few shots clearly lit

8 Composition: all shots well composed most shots well composed few shots well composed Darkroom Negatives: clean and sharp fairly clean /sharp barely clean/sharp Print Exposure: strong white/black/gray slightly dark or light noticeably dark/light Chemical handling: clean and clear slight discoloration dark stains Final Prints Choices: All strong photos Most were Strong Few were strong Dust: clean, no spots slight dust spots multiple dust spots Scratches: clean, no scratches a few small scratches noticeable scratches Editing well edited fair attempt at editing no apparent editing Participation: actively participates often participates rarely participates Attitude: positive attitude good attitude poor attitude Preparation: always prepared mostly prepared rarely prepared Punctuality: always on time mostly on time rarely on time

9 Follows Guidelines in the AP syllabus 10 points Grade: Donation Requirement Each student will be required to donate at least one quality to print to Linden Hall to be used in future displays throughout the school.