Digital Imagery

Photography I

Welcome to Photography I. Everyone taking this class should have taken Studio Art I & II and passed with an average of no less than 85%. This is an upper level art class and students will be creating artistic works using the digital and 35mm camera as their media. All students need to understand all the technical information associated with operating a camera, using and maintaining a dark room, processing film, using a digital camera and processing these images using Adobe Photoshop. Quizzes will be given weekly.
Supplies for this class are extremely expensive. Students must provide some of the film we will be shooting. The school will attempt to supply all the chemicals and the paper. Black and white film is increasing difficult to find these days. I am willing to make a group order for students but I must have the money up front before I order the film. You cannot buy this film at Walmart or any local stores. The black and white film they sell cannot be processed in our darkroom. (The film will say “for C41 processing”, which means it must be developed using color film chemicals.) The film we will be using currently sells for about $4.00 a roll before tax, shipping and handling. The price is always changing though. I can usually sell it for about $3.50 a roll if I bulk order. All students will need to buy a minimum of 4 rolls for the semester. (Students who are very interested and enthusiastic will easily use more film.) Unique Photo seems to sell it the most reasonably as does B & H Photo. Unique Photo’s website is www.uniquephoto.com or call them at 1-800-631-0300 if you want to order the film yourself. Just google B & H to find their site and check on prices. The film you will need is Kodak TX-400-135-24 or you can use Kodak TMY-400-135-24. Please plan to order it yourself or send money in so I can order it as soon as possible. I will provide as much film as I can, depending on the number of students enrolled, but I have a limited budget. If you do not arrange to have film once the school supply is gone, you will fall behind in your work. (You may pay for and order just one or two rolls of film at a time from me.)
The 35 mm cameras we are using are manual SLRs. If you have access to a camera, please bring it in so I can take a look at it. If you have never used the camera before, and if it is one that I am not familiar with, you will need a manual and possibly someone familiar with the equipment to teach you how to use it. Each brand of camera is very unique and I have found that I am often not able to figure them out! Also, it is a really good idea for students to put a roll of color film through the camera if they haven’t used it before so they don’t waste their black and white film.
We will also be taking digital images. At school, there are six Nikon D40 cameras for students to use. Students may use any digital cameras they have at home but the ones we have at school are excellent cameras with good lenses and the quality of the images may be much different. Students may sign them out for one night at a time or one weekend at a time. Student’s who don’t bring the cameras back the next day will not be allowed to take them out again. They must fill out a permission form before they may take them out.
Some of the images we have created with film will be scanned on to the computer and manipulated. This will give everyone an opportunity to learn how to create and produce photographic images using traditional and current techniques.
Working in the darkroom will be challenging. It will be extremely important that all chemicals are mixed well and recycled properly. Students must pay attention to their notes and what they are doing when they are using the darkroom. All students must act responsibly.
Much of this class is of a technical nature and there will be tests given on a regular basis. Be prepared to study hard for these quizzes. Students cannot be successful in photography if they are not familiar with the equipment and the chemistry involved. You must keep a good notebook and keep yourself organized. I will attempt to get all information on the docushare site for easy access.

Assignments

- Initially we will be shooting still life in the art room. We will experiment with window light and controlled lighting. Use natural light for half the images you take and use spotlights for the other half. Be aware of indirect and direct light sources. Make sure to consider both the highlight and shadow areas. Use both digital and 35mm film cameras to make your imagery.
- Leaves: using leaves as the subject matter, we will be shooting our imagery inside and out. Be considerate of the ones you want to take using the black and white film. Save the bright fall colors for the digital camera.
- Fruits and vegetables: use fruits and vegetables as your subject matter. Study the work of other photographers first, like Steichen and Weston. Consider doing some close up work to make your imagery more abstract. Also, think about your choices of fruits and vegetables and try to get some of the more unique and unusual varieties. As you are photographing, try isolating one to three elements. Make sure your background choices don’t interfere with your focal areas.
- Shoes: use shoes, sandals, boots, sneakers, and other types of foot wear for your subject matter. Think carefully about the type of background you are using. You need to cut down on the clutter and focus on the interesting aspects of the objects you are photographing. Be very thoughtful about the lighting and location. Make it personal and bring in your own shoes or shoes of your family. (But remember to ask first!)
- Clothing: choose some garments to photograph and think about how your will showcase them. Hang them on hangars, drape them over chairs, arrange them in a pile. Set your light source carefully. Backlighting with sheer fabrics may produce interesting results.