Syllabus Burlington-Edison High School Fine Arts -.5 credit per semester Mrs. Hamilton (360) 757-4074 ext. 3218 mhamilton@be.wednet.edu Supplies used in class: o Digital Camera o Film Camera o Dark Room o Computer Software PHOTOGRAPHY II Course Description The photography program is a very popular fine arts elective, with a long history at Burlington-Edison. Use of digital cameras, analog cameras and in-depth knowledge of PhotoShop software will be a significant part of this class. Photography II welcomes students who are interested in cameras, how to take a good picture and various methods in creating digital and dark room affects, as well as expanding their knowledge of Digital Photography Software and camera functions. A photo club was started in 2007. The club goes on field trips, takes pictures at some school functions and has fun with photography. We meet the first and third Thursdays of the month, from 3:00-4:00. Being active in this club will help make you a better photographer. Method of Instruction Lecture, demonstration, laboratory explanation and experimentation Studio and Office Hours The studio is usually open for 45 minutes after school for student work. Please check in advance for specific hours or if more time is needed. Conferences can be arranged before and after school. Please call or email me for an appointment. Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. Course Objectives This course is semester long and is offered as a.5 credit course. It includes half a year of classroom instruction and can be taken as an art or vocational elective. The goal of this class is to prepare students for entry-level jobs and/ or training beyond high school in design, merchandising, and marketing careers. As a Photographer you will attempt to develop photographs which are creative as well as aesthetically pleasing. After taking this class the understanding of PhotoShop Software and working with various types of cameras, and developing film will be understood. You will be taking thousands of pictures, editing them, learning about PhotoShop software, and researching the history of Photography and its processes. Many students may consider building a portfolio to show to potential clients. Photography II - Syllabus - 1 -
Attendance Be here now: When you come into the classroom, be ready to engage in work. You have a lot going on, but try not to let what happened before class or what s coming next distract you too much. Take advantage of studio time. Have fun and learn as much as you possibly can. Knowledge is power! It is the responsibility of the student to get notes and/or homework if he/she is absent! If the student is aware that he/she will be absent, notes and/or homework can be obtained in advance. When a student is absent, he/she will be required to turn in work or take any test/quiz on the day he/she returns to class. Unless other arrangements are made in advance, the student will have to come in after school or during lunch to make up work. If the absence is unexcused the student will be required to make-up missed work, but it will be considered late. Please read and know the BEHS attendance policy. Tardy policy It is expected that students will be in their seats when the bell rings, or will be considered tardy and will lose professional points as below. Habitual tardiness will be dealt with individually. Grading This class is as much about process as it is about product, so you can expect that about half of your grade will be dependant on your participation, effort, and attendance. This will be recorded by professional points, which is a daily log of your professionalism in class. This means that if you show up on time for class everyday and put in your honest effort, you are about half way to an A! There rest of the points in this course will be based on evaluations of your work (Did you follow instructions? Did you take time to explore the technique? Did you actively participate in self-evaluations or critiques?). While I am counting on you to follow instructions and participate, you can count on me to make sure that there are no surprises! I will always let you know what criteria I will be evaluating ahead of time. Grades for Photography will be determined by assignments, project (group and individual) and quizzes throughout the semester. 15% of your grade will be determined by Professional Points, Leadership Points and other Participation Points. Each semester a comprehensive final will be given and may include a practical section. The grading scale for the classroom credit will be: 93-100= A 87-89= B+ 77-79= C+ 60-69= D 90-92= A- 83-86= B 73-76= C Below 60= F 80-82= B- 70-72= C- Professional Points In addition to the knowledge and technical skills taught in Photography, a focus will be placed on the soft skills necessary to succeed in Photography/Business careers. These soft skills include: professionalism, work ethic and responsibility, self- motivation, communication, interpersonal relations and teamwork. Every day each student has the opportunity to earn 5 points for: 1. Showing Respect to Everyone and Everything 2. Arriving On Time and Ready to Work 3. Being On Task/ Focused, Participating and Accomplishing Day s Activities Photography II - Syllabus - 2 -
4. Having a Positive Attitude 5. Maintaining a Commitment to Quality You are responsible for keeping track of your professional points, getting your points signed each day and turning your professional points in to earn up to 25 points each week. Due Dates Assignments must be submitted on the due date. In accordance with my no surprises policy, I will always give you a due date when we begin a project. If I see that the majority of the class will be unable to finish a project on time, I will adjust the due date accordingly. If you believe that you are unable to finish a project by the due date, please see me. Unless arrangements have been made with me, all late work will be deducted 10 POINTS each week it is late. After five weeks of not turning in a project it will be given a zero in the grade book. This is a silly way to lose points, so please be responsible. Course Requirements Because this class is so individual and so hands-on, students need to really engage. There is a lot of freedom in a Photography class, but I ask that you be responsible of your time. When I m giving instruction, you will need to be quiet and attentive. The Photography space is a place of respect. That applies to your own work and process, to the work and process of classmates, to the materials and facilities we use, and to everyone around us. Otherwise, you are free to speak quietly to other students while you are working. Unless you come to me with a specific rationale for why you should be permitted to do an alternate project, you will be expected to complete all of the assignments given in class. Projects must be fully completed, show real effort and thought. Remember, effort is not the same as expertise no one expects your work to be perfect every time. Finally, although group critiques may seem scary at first, you will have plenty of guidance on how the critical process works; all students are required to actively participate in class discussions. General Expectations Details: Be on time. We often play music in the background, but ipods and other personal music players are not allowed, unless you are actively engaged in class materials. Some supplies are toxic if ingested, and your hands will often get dirty, so please be aware of this if you have a snack with you. Drinks are fine so long as they are in bottles or sealed containers. Responsibility: The success of your own experience is up to you! If you have a question or problem, need help, want to suggest a change, need a new seat, want me to get supplies from the storage room, etc.all you need to do is ask. Take responsibility for your own experience. Assessment Assessment will be based on the following: - Art and Photography frameworks as set forth by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction - State Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) - Individual and Group Presentations - Self and Peer Evaluations - Teacher Observations Photography II - Syllabus - 3 -
Equipment Check Out Students may check out film and digital cameras to be used either during the school day or away from school. If a student loses or damages a camera checked out to him/her I expect the parent to cover the cost. The next student who needs that camera can t wait until the responsible student picks enough strawberries to cover the cost. Students don t have to use school equipment. They can bring a camera from home if desired. They do need a camera that can be operated manually or automatically, with aperture and shutter speed controls. The cameras must be returned before 1 st period on the first school day after checkout. We need them in class. There is a $5.00/day fine for late returns. Semester Course Outline Week Objective 1 About Me Art Snapshot 2 Poetry and Music Strength and Weakness 3 Famous Photographer Research/PowerPoint 4 Portfolio Theme 5 Styles of Famous Photographer 6 Pattern and Repetition Frame within Frame 7 Photoshop Study 8 Portrait Study 9 Quarter Critique 10 Dark Room Processes I 11 Dark Room Processes II 12 Color Study 13 Still Frames/Movie 14 Art Show Preparation 15 Art Gallery 16 Altered Imagery/ Postcard Exchange 17 Own Studio Project 18 Final, Project Evaluation Photography II - Syllabus - 4 -
Photography II Name (Print): Period: I have read and understand the school policies outlined in the student handbook and the photography course syllabus. I accept the standards outlined and understand that failure to comply with these standards will result in a discipline referral and may result in my removal from class with resulting loss of credit. I understand that my parents/guardians and I will be held financially responsible for any damage to equipment caused by my negligence. I will return cameras on time or pay the $5.00/day fine for late returns. Student Signature: Date: I have read the course syllabus and financial responsibility policy. I understand the expectations of my student and agree with the policies as outlined in this syllabus Parent/Guardian Signature: Date: Please return this page to your instructor Photography II - Syllabus - 5 -