Syllabus - Basic B&W Photography, 31AB Section 33086, 33087

Syllabus - Basic B&W Photography, 31AB Section 33086, 33087 Photography Laboratory, 291AD Section 31214 Class Meetings: Monday & Wednesday 6-10 PM rooms K143 + K119 Instructor: Sarah G. Vinci E: sarahvinci@charter.net Text book: Black & White Photography: A Basic Manual by Henry Horenstein "If your photographs aren't good enough, its because you are not close enough." Robert Capa Course Description: This is a basic course in Black and White Photography for the beginning student. Emphasis will be on practical applications in the use of a manual 35mm camera, basic lens, shutter speed, measuring available light, film processing, and enlarging and mounting prints. Course Objectives: This is a beginning course to familiarize students with the fundamentals of photography. Students will gain experience in the understanding of how photography works through lectures, demonstrations and hands-on applications, including camera controls, processing film and making photographic prints in the dark room. The basic elements of good composition, proper exposure and print finishing such as mounting and spotting techniques will also be covered. Assignments and Grading: Grades will be based on attendance, progress and improvements, and completion of assignments; and will be based on the point system. Six hours of unexcused absence (lecture and/or lab) may result in a drop from the class. Failure to drop a class you are no longer attending after the 11 th week will result in a course grade of F. It is your responsibility to drop a class you are no longer attending. Each assignment must be turned in on the due date to receive full credit. Points will be deducted each week the assignment is late. Assignments submitted on time may be re-done and re-submitted to raise assignment grade. Please check the schedule for due dates of each assignment; presentation and critique will be done at the beginning of class time on the date scheduled. Lectures will be given only once and students are responsible for any information given in class and all information on the syllabus. Syllabus is subject to change. Total class points is 100. Assignments must be presented as follows, unless otherwise noted: 1. Prints must be either 5x7 or 8x10 see Assignment section for directives 2. Name, class, and assignment # printed on back 3. A proof sheet must be printed for every roll of film and reviewed with instructor 4. Prints must be spotted 5. Mounted on 11 x 14 smooth (not pebble) mount board. Black or White (no color board) Photography Labs 281AD, 291AD sign up by January 30th! All Photography classes require lab work outside of our regularly scheduled hours. Unless you have private access to a full traditional/digital darkroom and printing facilities you are required to sign up for an access lab: Photo 281AD which may be taken up to 4 semesters at which point you will use Photo 291AD. These lab classes give you access to our facilities at either campus outside of this class s scheduled hours. You may select any section that does not conflict with your existing LBCC schedule, but will be free to attend during any open lab period. Photography 31AB Spring 2008 LBCC Instructor Sarah G. Vinci 1 of 7

Requirements: You must turn in 4 finished prints to your lab instructor by May 2nd. Prints must be spotted but need not be matted. Place the prints in a folder or large envelope with your name and lab section number and on the outside. This folder/envelope then goes to the faculty mailbox for your instructor. The following instructors faculty mailboxes are at LAC K101 (on the right as you enter the door): Kierelyn Barber, Tommi Cahill, Sean Fox, Danny Jauregui, Scott Moore, Sarah Vinci, Jeff Smeding, Ann Mitchell The following instructors faculty mailboxes are at PCC in the downstairs Administration section of the AA building (or ask at the lab checkout room): Jay Ahrend, Jeff Atherton, Neil France, Corina Gamma, Craig Havens, Amanda Keller Konya, Victoria Sanchez. Photography @ City Festival The first annual PhotoFest@City will be held in Long Beach, California with 4 days of photographyrelated events and celebrations on April 15, 16, 17th and 19th. The festival will bring together a wide array of accomplished photographers from Southern California and will showcase the work of renowned photographic artists and photojournalists. Our goal is to celebrate photography and it s impact on our world. The main emphasis of the festival will be the workshops, demonstrations and seminars held over a threeday period. These events are free and open to all levels of expertise. The festival will feature a Photography contest that is open to all LBCC students as well as a juniors section for high school students. The closing exhibition and reception will showcase work from the LBCC photography program as well as reveal the photography contest winners. Dates and Locations Festival Seminars will be held at the Pacific Coast Campus Photography Facility on Tuesday, April 15th, Wednesday April 16th and Thursday April 17th - Closing Reception and Exhibition will be held at the Mark Anthony Gallery in the East Village Arts District Saturday evening, April 19th. Seminars & Workshops: Digital Image-making From RGB to B&W + RAW: Conversions Non-destructive image Correction B&W Digital Fine Art Printing Marketing: Portfolio development Websites for photographers Working with Galleries Studio Photography: Digital Capture in Studio Beauty Portrait with Large Format The Editorial Portrait Product Photography General Interest: Sports Photography Handmade Books Understanding Color: How it works and How to use it effectively Traditional and Alternative Lith Printing Master Toning Seminar Cyanotypes using digital negatives Non-toxic methods of image making (Albumin, Salt) (seminars subject to change) Photography 31AB Spring 2008 LBCC Instructor Sarah G. Vinci 2 of 7

SUPPLY LIST MANDATORY 1. 35mm manual camera, any manufacturer: must be capable of manual control for shutter speed and f/stop; and posses a built in metering system or you must have a hand held light meter. Buy a NEW battery. (some cameras available for check out) 2. Film black and white film, 24 or 36 exposures it is recommended that you shoot at least one roll of film for each assignment. a. ISO 100 or 125 Kodak T-max or Plus-X; Agfapan APX 100; Ilford Delta Pro 100 b. ISO 400 Kodak Tri-X, Agfa, or Ilford 3. Photo Paper; any manufacturer of RC multigrade, either type F-Glossy or type E-Luster (Ilford s luster is called Pearl). It is more economical to purchase it in packs of 100. a. Ilford Multigrade Warmtone or Cooltone RC, 8 x 10 is recommended 4. Canned air: any brand [available at Office Max, Office Depot, or Staples] 5. Darkroom Towel, any old, clean towel will do 6. Cotton darkroom gloves, [keeps fingerprints off your prints] 7. 35mm Negative preservers by Clear File, to hold 6 strips of 6 negatives, comes in packs of 25 8. Archival Storage Binder with rings, to house your negative preserver files. (Any 3-ring binder will do, however the archival models prevent dust from reaching your negatives.) 9. Matt Board, 11 x 14, white (or black, but no color) 25 sheets minimal 10. Dry Mount Tissue, 8x10 25 sheets (don t buy Kodak) 11. Ruler, scissors, pocket folder or 3-ring binder to hold handouts, small notebook & pen for taking notes in the field, something that fits in your camera bag or pocket is ideal 12. Flash drive, CD s, Epson Premium Photo Paper (25 sheets) OPTIONAL SUPPLY LIST 1. Darkroom Apron, this will save you from spills and splashes, vinyl or rubber 2. Chemical thermometer 3. Tripod, cable release to fit your camera 4. Lens cleaning tissue 5. Film cleaner 6. Print tongs, either bamboo or plastic with rubber tips 7. Negative antistatic brush 8. Loupe, 8x 9. Rubber gloves, the disposal ones are best 10. Archival storage box for your prints, 8x10 (purchase at any art supply store) PHOTOGRAPHIC SUPPLIERS Samy s Camera Freestyle Camera Tuttle s Camera Calumet Los Angeles 431 S. Fairfax Ave., LA, CA 90036 Tel: 323-938-2420 E-Mail: lacamera@samys.com Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00 am-7:00pm; Sat: 9:30am-6:00 pm; Sun: 10:00 am-5:00 pm 5124 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90027 800 292-6137 323-660-3460 4019 Atlantic Ave. Long Beach, CA 562-424-4706 1135 N. Highland Ave. Hollywood, CA 90038 323-466-1238 Hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm Santa Ana 3309b S. Bristol St. Santa Ana, CA 92704 E-Mail: infosa@samys.com Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00am-8:00pm; Sat: 9:30am-6:00pm; Sun: 10:00 am-5:00pm Photography 31AB Spring 2008 LBCC Instructor Sarah G. Vinci 3 of 7

Schedule Week# Date Lecture/Demos/Lab Time Homework #1 Jan 14 Jan 16 Introductions Tour of Labs Demo: How to make a Photogram Demo: How to process a print Lab Time: make a photogram Read chapters 1 & 2 Bring objects for photogram Read chapters 3-6 Assign #1: Photogram-Due Jan 23 #2 Jan 21 NO CLASS Bring camera, 1 roll of 400 film Jan 23 #3 Jan 28 Jan 30 #4 Feb 4 Feb 6 #5 Feb 11 Photogram critique Demo: Shutter Speed & F-stop Exercise: Shooting 1 st roll of film Demo: developing film Demo: T.O.B. Contact Sheet Critique: Assign #2 Demo: Making an enlarged print Demo: Using contrast filters NO CLASS Flex Day Critique: Assign #3 Lecture: Depth of Field Exercise: shooting depth of field Read chapters 8-10 Assign #2: 1 st roll film & proof sheet-due Jan 30 Assign #3: 1 st print-due Feb 11 Reread: Chap 4, pg 49-53 Bring camera, 1 roll of 400 film Assign #4: Depth/Field-Due Feb 20 Feb 13 Develop film & make proof sheet #6 Feb 18 NO CLASS Feb 20 #7 Feb 25 Feb 27 #8 Mar 3 Critique: Assign #4 Lecture: Repetition Discussion: Term Paper Demo: Making a negative print Demo: Spotting Demo: Mounting prints Critique: Assign #5 Lecture: Night photography Assign #5: Repetition-Due Mar 3 Read: Chapter 11 Assign #7: Term Paper-Due Mar 19 Read: Chapter 12 Bring camera, 1 roll 400 film Mar 5 Field Trip: Shooting on Street at Night Assign #6: Reflections-Due Mar 12 #9 Mar 10 Mar 12 Critique: Assign #6 Lecture: Portrait #10 Mar 17 Demo: Portrait/available light/studio Mar 19 Assign #7 Due Student/teacher meetings #11 Mar 24 SPRING RECESS Assign #8: Portrait-Due Mar 31 Bring camera, 1 roll 100 film Bring print & negs to scan, & CD or Flash drive Mar 26 #12 Mar 31 Apr 2 #13 Apr 7 Apr 9 SPRING RECESS Critique: Assign #8 Lecture: Computer Lab/scanning/printing Computer Critique: Assign #9 Lecture: Assign#9: computer-due Apr 7 Proof sheets due Apr 14 Photography 31AB Spring 2008 LBCC Instructor Sarah G. Vinci 4 of 7

Week# Date Lecture/Demos/Lab Time Homework #14 Apr 14 #15 Apr 21 Review proof sheets Assign #11 Student instructor meetings Apr 16 Field Trip to PCC Campus - Photofest Assign #10: Photofest-Due Apr 21 Apr 23 Discussion: Photofest & Assign #10 Lab Time #16 Apr 28 Apr 30 Computer Day #17 May 5 Computer Day May 7 #18 May 12 May 14 #19 May 19 FINAL CRITIQUES printing printing Scanning/burning cd s Scanning/burning cd s Spotting/mounting Spotting/mounting Spotting/mounting Final day to use darkroom Final Day to turn in old work May 21 FINAL CRITIQUES Assignment #1 2 points Photogram: bring an assortment of objects to class to place under the light source to create a photogram. Partially transparent items work well, i.e. tape, lace, or any sheer fabric; interesting shapes make interesting images; look in the kitchen drawer! Use 8 x 10 paper. Due Jan 23. Assignment #2 3 points 1 st roll of film and proof sheet: The first roll of film you shoot will be shot during class time. This assignments purpose is for you to learn your equipment and how it responds to you; how to develop film; and how to make a readable proof sheet. To learn how your cameras light meter responds to hues, you will photograph a gray card, and two objects, one white and one black. Take notes while you shoot so you ll remember which settings you used for each frame. Finish the roll of film using the campus art department as subject matter, bracketing your shots. Develop film; make a proof sheet. Due Jan 30. Assignment #3 5 points 2 Prints: Take your proof sheet from Assignment #2, examine the frames with a loupe and choose the best negative with details in both the white and the black objects. Make one 5x7 print matching the medium gray. Choose a negative from your bracketing exercise, make a 5x7 print. Due Feb 11. Photography 31AB Spring 2008 LBCC Instructor Sarah G. Vinci 5 of 7

Assignment #4 7 points 3 prints - Depth of Field: This assignment is designed for you to understand what the camera sees in focus and how you control the f-stop, and the distance from the subject matter in other words depth of field. You will choose a scene with at least 15-20 feet of space that has objects in the foreground, background and something in between. Photograph the same subject repeatedly; use up the entire roll of film. Keep your notebook handy and jot down the settings for each frame. Once your film is developed, compare your notes to your contact sheet. Your goal is to be able to produce 3 prints: 1. Everything in the frame completely in focus more depth of field 2. The foreground in focus and the rest out of focus 3. The object in the middle in focus, and both the foreground and background out of focus Use ISO 400 film. The three prints, plus the contact sheet and your field notes, are Due Feb 20. Assignment #5 5 points 2 prints - Repetition: The subject matter for this assignment is light and shadow. Find patterns that have been created by light, either from nature or structure. Use tight framing; the goal is to pick this pattern out of its environment to create an abstract photograph. Once you have a great positive print, make a negative print. Any film speed. Both prints must be spotted and mounted on matt board. Due Mar 3. Assignment #6 3 points 1 print - Reflections: This assignment is designed to teach you to see more closely, to scrutinize subject matter through glass; using the urban environment to make photographs through mirrors, and glass. The object in the glass and the surrounding environment may or may not be in focus, however everything should be recognizable. This assignment will be organized as a field trip; the class will meet in downtown Long Beach s East Village Arts District, and shoot together. Use ISO 400 film, make one 8x10 print, spotted and mounted, due Mar 12. Assignment #7 7 points Term Paper: Write a review on a photographic exhibition. You must visit a museum or professional art gallery. Take notes, ask the gallery guides if there is any printed material on the exhibition or artists, research the processes the artist uses at the library and on the web. What are his/her photographic influences? Research the influences. Did you like the work? How did the space and/or subtract from the work? Include: cover page with your name; 500 words, type no larger than 12 point, double-spaced; include bibliography, you may not use Wikipedia! You may use the web, but only if it cites an expert; use the library to search books. You must include a picture of the photographer s work. Due Mar 19. Assignment #8 5 points 2 prints - Portrait: What makes a good portrait? We will investigate this issue through slide lectures and discussions in class to assist you in answering this question. The goal is to create a portrait of a person that tells the viewer something of the individual. This assignment is in two parts, the first roll of film will be shot in the class studio, as a straight ¾ posed image. The second will be an environmental portrait you will shoot on your own time. Use ISO 100 film. Two prints; spotted and mounted. Due Mar 31. Assignment #9 5 points Computer skills for photography: instruction and demo will be given in the use of digital skills important for photographers, including scanning negatives, and prints, understanding resolution, file types, naming Photography 31AB Spring 2008 LBCC Instructor Sarah G. Vinci 6 of 7

files, and burning cd s. You will use your previous projects as material to scan one negative and a print from that negative into the computer; in Photoshop you will learn to change the size of files from the original scan to a resolution of 300 dpi at 3x4 and save as both a jpeg and a tiff. Save to your Flash drive. Burn the four files on to a CD. Print one image from the print file and present to class along with the original photographic print. A handout will be provided for this assignment. Due Apr 7. Assignment #10 Fotofest 5 points Presentation: Students will attend the Fotofest seminars/workshops on the PCC Campus on April 16. See page 2 of syllabus for more information. Attend seminars or workshops of your choice, take notes, and report your activities to the class on April 21. Student must turn in a one page typed sheet with their name, the title of the activity they attended and what they learned in paragraph form. Due Apr 21. Assignment #11 FINAL PROJECT 20 points 5 prints - : Photography has been used to document events, social injustices, and different cultures since the beginning of its inception. Creating narratives, or stories, can also be culled from photographing like objects, such as all the donut shops in Long Beach! We will explore some of these uses and determine how a visual grouping of images can tell a story. Your assignment is to choose a subject and create a narrative/documentary series. This can be an event, a historical or educational focus, or a study of a particular culture or structure. You will produce five photographs to tell your story or point of view. In addition you will scan your 5 finished prints into the computer and save to a cd that includes an image list with titles; and a brief artist statement, a paragraph on who you are and what the series is about. This project is due in various stages: Proof sheets are due April 14; you must have your project approved by the instructor. Printing must be completed by May 5. Scanning/cd s completed by May 12. 5 prints spotted and mounted will be critiqued on May 19 and 21. Points Attendance: 33 days @ 1 point/day = 33 points Assignments: 1 10 47 points Final Project: 20 points Total: 100 points Grading 90 100 = A 80 89 = B 70 79 = C 60 69 = D 50 0 = F Photography 31AB Spring 2008 LBCC Instructor Sarah G. Vinci 7 of 7