Course Title: 440 - Photo IV
Term: Fall

Course Description

 

Second of the two advanced photography courses that encompasses an individual exploration in photo-based media focusing on series/suite related works. Conceptual components are to be further explored by way of academic research in conjunction with the student’s choice of either traditional, digital, or experimental/alternative photo processes.

 

Course Objectives 

1. Implement the students to create a proposal that encompasses a semester-long, independent photography project that leads to series-based works that challenges their grasp of concept, process, and overall scope of contemporary photography.

2. Implent the students to produce a semester-long photographic series that culminates into a quality based portfolio of works to be printed archivally.

3.  Initiate a semester-long, personal Print-On-Demand book project resultant in a finished publication.

4. Engage the class in critical dialogue by conducting open lines of communication during critiques that analyze historical and contemporary sources in visual problem solving.

5. Deliver critical feedback to the students on applying for juried shows/publications based upon their portfolio of series-related works.

6. Help foster internships within the community that provide the student with hands-on training while working with professional photographers or offering their services to a local business.

 

Course Outcomes 

1. Students will produce a page long document that proposes their semester-long projects, including concept and content, means in which the images will be captured,  final print output, time-line/strategy of execution, and what they will gain as a fine-art photographer.

2. Students will be able to exercise keen judgment in regards to documenting images, critically examining their output in order to choose a conceptually sound body of finished works and executing precise craftsmanship in the final prints.

3. Students will be able to document and collate images, provide appropriate written statements and design the layout for their Print On Demand publications.

4. Students will be able to critically examine their own work, as well as their peers in a positively uplifting manner during critiques and presentations.

5.Students will take part in national juried printmaking exhibitions and publications that are geared towards publishing or exhibiting series-related bodies of work. 

6. Students will gain experience by assisting a professional in the field/studio and/or working with a business within the community.

 

Final Digital Portfolio

Advanced photo students are required to maintain a Digital Portfolio documenting all photo-related projects created in the course. Documentation techniques will be covered in the class. The work and digital portfolio will be reviewed and graded for accuracy and quality. High resolution images should be utilized for personal websites, social media, as well as the shared ART 440 Google Drive folder. 

 

Digital Presentation/Paper

All Art 440 students are required to present one Digital Presentation via either Powerpoint or Google Slides. At the beginning of the semester, intermediate and advanced photography students (ART 240-440 is a stacked section) are divided into two groups to present either the week before midterm (ART 240) or the week prior to final critique (ART 340 and 440). One four and ½  page paper, which includes a formal title page and works cited, along with a 12 minute digital presentation is required. Students are timed for the duration, which should include a grouping of at least twenty high-res images by a photographer whose work is no older than the year 2010. Advanced students utilize a comparative/contrast format, in which their work must be similar by way of concept, with possible contrast in photographic process/technique. Images and documents  are to be saved via Google Docs and all hardcopies must be honor-pledged by hand. Students can also choose to imbed videos no longer than one minute in duration for their peers to view any process-technique related studio footage.   

 

Skill Building Exercises 

Semimonthly Reading References/Resources: Students are provided a variance of articles found in the shared Google Drive that supplement each project. Twice a month, pertinent links are updated to promote dialogue during class and beyond. Topics include: idea generation, theoretical concepts that prompt imagery, technical proficiency, and critical procedures and processes. Students are encouraged to submit articles of interest by emailing the faculty. 

 

Exposure Log/Photo Binders: Students are required to collate an archival three-ringed binder or an archival containment system of storage in order to keep a chronological history of their digital +/or film negatives, test exposures and working/trial prints. This practice leads to a more sequential understanding, allowing for early and continued success and a thorough grasp of the dual nature of this semester’s analog/digital hybrid photo offering. 

 

Portfolio:  Students are to first protect all working/final prints/projects inside of clear print sleeves then placed inside of an archival Safe-T binder. Each final print must be accurately labeled with printing information, including: F-stop, exposure times, use of any filters, and detailed information on post-exposure techniques such as dodging/burning/toning. 

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Final Presentation: Students enrolled in ART 440 are required, when applicable to their body of work, to mat and/or mount each photographic image within the series as a final print for final critique/presentation. Due to the conceptual nature of this course, students are also allowed to archivally mount photoworks to varied substrates, including but not limited to cradled panels and pre-prepared surfaces. Students must propose alternative mounting options prior to the last workday. 

 

Professional Practices: Students are provided instructional methodology on the application to national juried show opportunities, as well as the procedures to apply to publications. Digital, device, and scanning based image capturing is covered along with Photoshop post production techniques in documentation. Students are required to upload all printed projects to Google Drive as well as any call-for-entry applications. 

 

Course Projects

Main Body of Work: Ongoing production throughout semester

Students enrolled in ART 440 propose a semester’s body of work by submitting a typed, well conceived document that entails the conceptual premise of their content/subject matter, specific photo media/process(es) and substrate(s) of choice, scale, color palette, and timeline of strategy. ART 440 students meet with the faculty to communicate their ideas in a group setting while projecting their preliminary visuals, along with examples of contemporary influence. Advanced Photography students engage in semiotic dialogue and critical discourse via an ongoing basis throughout the semester in order to assess whether or not their goals and visual outcomes are being met.