FILM 165 Digital Still Photography for Non-Majors
Summary
In this course we will shoot, edit and critique a series of photography projects. These projects cumulatively provide guidance on the best practices of lighting and composing an image that tells a compelling story. Students will leave this course with a basic understanding of how digital cameras work, as well as how to use them creatively.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completing DC 125, Students will be able to-
- Create well lit, well composed photographs.
- Analyze a photograph and make recommendations for improvement.
- Explain, in well-written prose, what a work of art is about and how it was produced (i.e. they should be able to articulate and explain the “content” of that work and its methodology of production)..
- Comment on the relationship between form and content in a work.
- Assess the formal aspects of their subject and put those qualities into words, using, when appropriate, specialized vocabulary employed in class and readings.
This course carries Arts & Literature Domain Credit; as such, a minimum of 5-7 pages of well-written prose must be written as part of this course. Each student will meet these requirements by writing a 2 page "process" paper as part of each of the 3 major assignments for the course. We will discuss these papers in the lectures, but in brief, in each paper you will describe your thought process and methodology while completing each major project.
Texts
OPTIONAL Textbook:
Light and Lens: Photography in the Digital Age by Robert Hirsch ISBN-10 024081827X | ISBN-13 978-0240818276
I’m not picky about what edition you get. Mostly, this book is great for inspiring you if you are struggling to come up with an idea for an assignment.
Grading
Grading Policy:
20% Project 1
20% Project 2
30% Project 3
20% Midterm exam
10% Participation
(Roughly one participation assignment will be assigned each class, worth 1 point each) Late assignments:
-All projects except the final project will be accepted with points taken off for up to a week after the due date. After they are a week late, they will not be accepted.
-The Final Project (Project 3) is due June 11th before 12pm (noon). No late final projects accepted.
Prerequisites
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course
content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The
evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely
separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation.
Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.
This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you
have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.
All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that
you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296