Art 7: Digital Photography, Spring 2021
http://www.lehigh.edu/~anc304/Art7/
Course Instructor: Anna Chupa
Contact: anna.chupa@lehigh.edu
Class: MW 1:35-4:15 p.m.
Office Hours: MW 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Other hours by appointment
Art 7 provides intensive work in fine art photography as a vehicle for self-exploration with an emphasis on development of thematic content.
You will learn to use digital SLR or mirrorless cameras, Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop as the primary tools for capturing, editing and compositing photographic imagery. You will acquire technical skills through demonstrations, guided studio exercises, online tutorials, assigned studio problems and independent practice.
Presentations, gallery visits, readings and a blog describing historic photography and contemporary artists’ work will develop critical observation and analytical skills while introducing you to a variety of styles, influences and approaches to content.
Lectures and blog activities are the primary means of introducing, exploring and extending concepts, expanding visual vocabulary, and identifying a historical context within which to place your work. From this experience you will gain an understanding of the range of possibilities in human expression in lens-based media. Description, analysis, criticism, reflection, identification of personal affinities with other artists, and interpretation are part of the process of informing ideation and decision-making.
Individual presentations provide the opportunity to study one photographer in more depth and to share that knowledge with the group.
Assigned studio problems, group and individual critiques, creative process, research, revision and review are at the heart of the studio experience in and outside of class. From these experiences you will begin to develop insight into your individual aesthetic choices. Exhibition submissions encourage you to seek public acknowledgement of work well done. Student work may be reproduced for sample material in print and online. Blog entries may be reproduced on the LUAG site.
Basic Tools
Digital SLR (dSLR) and mirrorless camera usage covers exposure levels, dynamic range, histogram, aperture, ISO, shutter speed, bulb, auto focus lock, depth of field control, noise reduction, tripod usage, and lighting.
The Digital Darkroom and Non-destructive Workflow: The complete workflow includes capture, image management, processing RAW files, using layers to isolate changes non-destructively, adjustment layers, layer masks for targeted adjustments, retouching, compositing, color management, printing* and archiving.
Designing on the Computer: Building from previous experience with tactile 2-D design media, emphasis will be placed on the subtle application of tools in lieu of out-of-the-can approaches, and on the creation of strong single images as well as cohesive image composites from multiple photographic sources.
Output: You will learn the color management workflow for the professional level printer. For the final project you will produce a printed book which will be outsourced.
On Course Site Menu
Schedule
Assignments (Projects)
Course Documents and Readings
External Links
Exercises
Lab Fee
Enrolling in this course requires the payment of a $100 Studio Lab Fee to be charged through the Bursar. This fee will be used to supply the student with SOME of the materials required to complete the course. Lab fees cover the cost of some of the software used in the lab for photographic editing, drawing tablets and electronic storage (for grading, not backup) plus the base charge for a printed book. For pages or substrates beyond the basic book provided by the lab fee, your Bursar account will be charged an amount relative to your choices and there will be PA sales tax added.
Materials
Portable backup drive capable of storing at least 500 G, notebook or sketchbook or both. You can also expect to pay $25-35 for an exhibition submission fee.
Recommended Tutorial Site
Linked In Learning At Lehigh (lts.lehigh.edu/linkedin-learning-lehigh) has excellent resources for Photoshop and general photography tutorials.
Evaluation
You are expected to be active participants in all levels of course activities and to promptly complete your assignments. You will be expected to come to class with cameras, batteries charged, USB sticks, and backup hard drives. Projects will be evaluated on demonstrated technical competence, aesthetic merit and well-crafted execution, evidence of research to support concept development, the creation of compelling and significant content that warrants sustained and repeated attention, and the quality of participation. Grades will be reduced for late work and will not be accepted for any more than a “C” grade after one week. Students may request to resubmit projects for an improved grade. Resubmissions will be graded and averaged with the original grade for a final grade. The final project and blog cannot be resubmitted.
Blog 15%
Presentation 5%
Exhibition preparation and submission 5%
Quizzes 5%
Exercises and Studies, (other than those related to projects) and File Management 10%
Projects 60%
Please keep in mind that, according to university grading policies, C+ and C are average or competent, not poor, and that B+, B B- are good. A and A- are to be reserved only for outstanding or excellent work. I generally give very few “A”s, and they are reserved for work that is extraordinary.
94–100 A 90–93 A- 87–89 B+ 83–86 B 80–82 B– 77–79 C+ 73–76 C 70–72 C– 67–69 D+ 63–66 D 60–62 D– 0–59 F
Each assignment in the course must be completed to receive a passing grade.
Zoom
We will meet during class time as a group and Zoom will be our primary vehicle for instruction, discussion, group work, demonstrations, student presentations and feedback. In remote synchronous Zoom meetings you will be expected to attend just as you would any other Lehigh class. Please be on time and attend with your camera on. If you have a strong preference not to do so, please contact me to let me know ahead of time. Please respect the privacy of your instructor and fellow classmates by not taking screenshots or recording class sessions. I will be recording some Zoom sessions; however, any recorded live sessions will be shared only with students in the class and will be deleted at the end of the semester. In additional to meeting over Zoom, I will have instructional content for viewing outside of class time. I will be clear with you all if and when these asynchronous materials might replace a regular class meeting.
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory and will be taken at the beginning of each session. Though I do appreciate an email concerning an absence, it will still be considered unexcused except under the most urgent circumstances. For each absence after two absences, a Section 3 notice will be sent to the Dean of Students. The final cumulative grade will automatically be lowered for 3 or more absences. In addition, every 3 late arrivals will count as an absence. Arriving 20 minutes late will count as a full absence. Lateness is defined as arriving more than five minutes after class starts. Leaving during class and/or leaving class early will also be considered as an absence.
Active participation during class is expected.
Bring your equipment (camera, hard drive, etc.) to class. Use of email, web browsing and cell phones during class is not permitted. Readings, online lectures, gallery preparation and web-based assignments should be completed before the class in which they will be introduced. Check the outline and announcements frequently for updates.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting accommodations, please contact both your instructor and the Office of Academic Support Services, Williams Hall, Suite 301 (610-758-4152) as early as possible in the semester. You must have documentation from the Academic Support Services office before accommodations can be granted.
The Principles of Our Equitable Community:
Lehigh University endorses The Principles of Our Equitable Community [http://www.lehigh.edu/~inprv/initiatives/PrinciplesEquity_Sheet_v2_032212.pdf]. We expect each member of this class to acknowledge and practice these Principles. Respect for each other and for differing viewpoints is a vital component of the learning environment inside and outside the classroom.
Academic Integrity
The Lehigh University Code of Conduct (Art. III, Section I, A.1.i) states “the possession at any quiz or examination of any articles which are prohibited will be regarded as evidence of responsibility [for cheating].” Quizzes are closed book/closed notes. You may not have additional browsers open on your desktop, and you may not use your phone, tablet or any other mobile device until everyone in the class has completed the quiz. I will announce when it is permissible to open a new browser or application window.
If a portion of your work (e.g., in a presentation, a blog or a montage) is not your own, you must cite the source completely. Images are also copyrighted. Even when you utilize “copy-free” work from Wikimedia Commons, there are rules for how the author is to be credited. From the Library Tutorials for Research Success: (http://library.lehigh.edu/teaching_support/information_literacy_teaching_research_skills/tutorials_research_success): “You need to steer clear of any form of plagiarism to be an ethical and information literate student, one confident in his/her ability to research a topic from different sources and to effectively synthesize that information with a clear understanding of when to quote, when to cite and how to paraphrase. Please read the guides provided here for help on being that kind of student, able to complete a research assignment with confidence and with the knowledge that your course assignment is your own work.”
Goals
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of digital photography terminology in general and the specific tools, techniques and terminology particular to the applications and media explored. (Visual Literacy)
- Use proper file naming conventions and file management skills to organize documents for storage and archival purposes. (Organization)
- Recall historic precedents that inform contemporary digital art in general and position individual work within the context of the history of photography and/or other fine art disciplines. (Critical Thinking and Context)
- Demonstrate strong research skills to strengthen concept development and articulation of goals. These skills will be evidenced by your ability to discuss process as well as image and compositional choices as they relate to intentions and meaning in your blog. (Content and Concept)
- Demonstrate technical proficiency in the use of a DSLR or mirrorless camera: image editing (retouching, color, tonal and perspective correction) and illusionistic rendering and compositing (through the skillful use of cloning and painting tools, layer masks, transparency masks, adjustment layers, targeted adjustments and blending modes). Develop and apply an understanding of color management principles for effective archival output. (Technical)
- Demonstrate proficiency in the use of input peripherals including the mouse, keyboard, graphics tablet, and camera (Input)
- Prepare images for multiple output formats (web and print) through manipulation of color space, size, resolution, file format and gamut. (Output)
- Develop an open and inquisitive approach to viewing unfamiliar directions in photography and to exploring intersections with other media. Resist premature closure in order to examine ideas completely. (Flexibility, Tolerance for Ambiguity)
- Develop aesthetically cohesive works that demonstrate an intermediate to advanced understanding of the elements and principles of design while moving towards a unique artistic identity in the medium of photography. (Aesthetics)
- Take risks with creative work, look for unique, individual and complex solutions to visual problems, demonstrate a willingness to explore several approaches to your work, and approach new and unfamiliar experiences with openness and curiosity. (Creative Process)
- Explore the use of photography as a medium for self–expression and social commentary. Visit and respond to exhibitions on campus and in the surrounding community. Explore and reflect on a wide range of styles and themes in blog assignments. (Themes in Art, Civic and Cultural Engagement)
- Examine and discuss the changing notions of boundaries in art and photography: issues of privacy and ethics, high vs. low art, “straight” photographers vs. compositors and individual notions of what is acceptable or offensive in art. (Analysis, Interpretation)
- Develop a qualitative understanding of quantitative operations underlying issues of resolution, compression (e.g., lossy and lossless) file formats, pixel aspect ratios, color spaces, and the possibilities and limitations inherent in digital color management. (Quantitative)
- Develop the ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team in group exercises and as an active participant during critiques and peer presentations.(Team and Collaborative Work)
- Transition from defined assignments to independently driven work in order to develop conceptually sound and technically proficient final projects. (Capstone Experience, Planning, Communication)
Lightroom® and Photoshop® are registered trademarks of Adobe, Inc.