FILM 165 Digital Still Photography for Non-Majors

Summary

FILM 165 Digital Still Photography for Non-Majors Fall 2024

Instructor: Travis Chandler, Lecturer

This class will consist of lectures, demonstrations and hands-on projects. New class information will be available posted on D2L every Wednesday. Be sure to check it out as soon as you are able.
Assignments will normally be due the following Tuesday.

Office hours: Virtual.
Email me to make an appointment.
Please use office hours for discussion of your work or your grades.

If you wish to explain to me why you haven't turned something in, I'd like that in writing via email please,

Contact: tchandle@cdm.depaul.edu or travischandler@mac.com An email reply can be expected within 24 hours

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the aesthetics of still photography. Students will learn the fundamental concepts necessary to shoot, edit & manipulate photographs and critically evaluate the images. Throughout this course you will work on defining your individual aesthetic utilizing established composition and design elements. You will be introduced to best practices in workflow, visual data management and Adobe Photoshop. Photoshop will be used in two stages, first as a post-production tool in a standard photographic workflow, and then as a creative tool for compositing and collage. Every assignment will utilize a new skill towards a cumulative knowledge of professional standards in imaging. Students will be challenged to think conceptually about their own visual development while acquiring technical skills.

Summary of Course:

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.Prerequisites: None

Course Management System:

Assignments, feedback and grading will be given weekly online using the D2L system - https://d2l.depaul.edu/d2l/home. Students must check the information provided online each week. All images must be Jpegs, and should not exceed 3 MB. All assignments must be turned in to D2L, not emailed. Late assignments will have points deducted. Project 3 cannot be submitted late.

Last day to drop this course with no penalty is Tuesday September 17, 2024. Equipment use:

Every student will need to have access to some kind of digital still camera. Yes, you can use your phone.

If you have access to a better camera, great. Use that. Otherwise use what you have. You don't need something fancy for this course.

You can check out very good still cameras from DePaul’s equipment center for free (as long as they stay open):

https://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/Equipment-Centers.aspx

If you choose to buy a camera, any “point and shoot” with decent (better than 10x) optical zoom will work well for our class. Don’t feel pressured to buy an expensive camera: This is an introductory course.

Additional Required Supplies:
This class requires the use of Adobe Photoshop.

Here is a link to where you can get it free.

Week-By-Week Schedule:
This is tentative and likely to change!
Most classes will also include a go-and-shoot participation project, so always have your camera.

Class 1:
Introductions. Discussion of syllabus. Overview. Assignments:
1) Find your camera manual.
2) Find cameras and way to connect them next week 3) Read Light and Lens Chapter 1

Class 2:
Image file formats (JPEG, RAW, ETC.)
- Setting up image import
- High / Low project. Compositing.
Setting up projects, "save for web", basic tools, resolution, image size, canvas, layers Assignments:
Read Light and Lens Chapter 2

Class 3:
Midterm terms introduced Assignments: Project #1 Assigned

Class 4:
Project #1 due, view and discuss. Review for Midterm Shooting around the school. Assignments:
Read Light and Lens Chapter 3

Class 5:
Midterm exam
Composition, balance, rule of thirds, line, perspective.
Shooting around the school.
Photoshop: Image adjustments, color, levels, saturation, white balance.

Class 6:
Go over midterm Guest Speaker Street photography

Assignment:
Project #2 Assigned
-Read Light and Lens Chapter 4

Class 7:
Project # 2 due before 6pm, View and discuss. Photo Critique. Begin project 3 proposal.

Class 8:
Assignment #3 discussion (not due yet) Watch video: TBA

Class 9:
Final project proposal due. Discuss.
Photoshop: Clone Stamp tool, image removal, masks. Assignment: Have materials to work on in class next week.

Class 10:
Rough draft of final project due.

Finals Period:
Final Project Due Tue. Nov. 12th before 12pm (noon).

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Changes to Syllabus

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.

COVID-19 Health and Safety Precautions

Keeping our DePaul community safe is of utmost importance in the pandemic. Students, faculty and staff are expected to (1) wear a mask as required at all times while indoors on campus; (2) refrain from eating and drinking in classrooms; (3) keep current with their COVID-19 vaccinations or exemptions; (4) stay home if sick; (5) participate in any required COVID-19 testing; (6) complete the online Health and Safety Guidelines for Returning to Campus training; and (7) abide by the City of Chicago Emergency Travel Advisory. By doing these things, we are Taking Care of DePaul, Together. The recommendations may change as local, state, and

federal guidelines evolve. Students who do not abide by the mask requirement may be subject to the student conduct process and will be referred to the Dean of Students Office. Students who have a medical reason for not complying with any requirements should register withDePaul’s Center for Student with Disabilities (CSD).

Respect for Diversity and Inclusion at DePaul University as aligned with our Vincentian Values
At DePaul, our mission calls us to explore “what must be done” in order to respect the inherent dignity and identity of each human person. We value diversity because it is part of our history, our traditions and our future. We see diversity as an asset and a strength that adds to the richness of classroom learning. In my course, I strive to include diverse authors, perspectives and teaching pedagogies. I also encourage open dialogue and spaces for students to express their unique identities and perspectives. I am open to having difficult conversations and I will strive to create an inclusive classroom that values all perspectives. If at any time, the classroom experience does not live up to this expectation, please feel free to contact me via email or during office hours.

Online Course Evaluations

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. Please see https://resources.depaul.edu/teaching-commons/teaching/Pages/onlineteaching-evaluations.asp x for additional information.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. 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. More information can be found at https://resources.depaul.edu/teachingcommons/teaching/academic-integrity/Pages/default.aspx.

Posting work on online sites, such as Hero

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.

Academic Policies

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

Incomplete Grades

An incomplete grade is a special, temporary grade that may be assigned by an instructor when unforeseeable circumstances prevent a student from completing course requirements by the end of the term and when otherwise the student had a record of satisfactory progress in the course. All incomplete requests must be approved by the instructor of the course and a CDM Associate Dean. Only exceptions cases will receive such approval. Information about the Incomplete Grades policy can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/Grading-Policies.aspx

Preferred Name & Gender Pronouns

Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender, gender variance, and nationalities. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the quarter so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. Please also note that students may choose to identify within the University community with a preferred first name that differs from their legal name and may also update their gender. The preferred first name will appear in University related systems and documents except where the use of the legal name is necessitated or required by University business or legal need. For more information and instructions on how to do so, please see the Student Preferred Name and Gender Policy at http://policies.depaul.edu/policy/policy.aspx?pid=332

Students with Disabilities

Students seeking disability-related accommodations are required to register with DePaul’s Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) enabling them to access accommodations and support services to assist with their success. There are two office locations:
• Loop Campus (312) 362-8002

• Lincoln Park Campus (773) 325-1677
• Email: csd@depaul.edu
Autumn Quarter 2021-2022 Students who register with the Center for Students with Disabilities

are also invited to contact Dr. Gregory Moorhead, Director of the Center, privately to discuss how he may assist in facilitating the accommodations to be used in a course. This is best done early in the term. The conversation will remain confidential to the extent possible.
Please see https://offices.depaul.edu/student-affairs/about/departments/Pages/csd.aspx for Services and Contact Information.

Texts

Grading

Prerequisites

School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

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.

Online Course Evaluations

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.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

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.

Academic Policies

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 with Disabilities

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