Photography

Become a capable image-maker by training to be a competent image-evaluator

In an increasingly visually taxed world, with people’s ability to create and consume image-based media the easiest its ever been, knowing how to create compelling photography that can break through the content-laden din to get noticed is a valuable skill. After a grounding in general photographic and visual theory, we will apply principles of color theory, spatial abstraction, and human perception to learn how to organize a photograph. Students will also spend considerable time turning their attention towards documenting the urban and architectural landscape, learning how to capture the inter-relationship between people and their environments. Lastly, students will learn to apply the tools within the controlled studio environment to create purposeful people and product portraits.

Learning Objectives
Students will be trained on the technical, compositional and conceptual aspects of image-based visual communication. Besides lab time, class lectures and student critiques, much of the student’s education will take place outside of the classroom through students’ constrained experimentation with the medium. This course is intended not only to expand the students’ knowledge of the basic principles and practices of photography but also as a compliment to the principles and practices of the main program.

Learning Outcomes

• Develop a fundamental competency of the technical aspects of digital camera operations and photographic techniques for proper image capture.
• Learn the tools of the digital darkroom (Photoshop, Bridge, etc.) for image processing, and for digital manipulation of two-dimensional continuous tone images.
• Establish a working understanding of the principles of image construction, via the consideration and manipulation of light, color contrast, and visual gestalt as it pertains to the production of photographs.

Format & Grading

30% class participation, 40% final assignments, 30% demonstrated growth

Enrollment Restrictions

No prerequisites.