Skyline High School Meredith Giltner Room 215A

Digital Photography I giltnerm@aaps.k12.mi.us

Course Syllabus 994-6515 x55216
http://skylinehsdigitalphotography1.blogspot.com/

Course Information & Overview

Photography captures moments in time through light and allows us to view the world
through different perspectives either as the viewer or the photographer. The ever evolving
technology of photography is exciting and inspiring. This photography course is designed
to give students experiences with the creative and technical aspects of photography.
Students will use digital cameras, Adobe Photoshop and other applications to shoot,
compose, manipulate and edit digital photographs.

The course begins with a history of Photography, how photography is critiqued and how
to incorporate the Elements & Principles of Art in producing quality images with a digital
camera. Once we have covered the basics, the use of computer software in editing and
manipulating photos will be by themes. A minimal amount of internet research will be
done in this course and students will have a portfolio of images.

The course lessons and updates are posted on skylinehsdigitalphotography1.blogspot.com

& GoogleClassroom assigned to the class.

Digital Photography is a 1-term course where the student earns 0.5 credit. This credit may
be used as an elective credit or as half of the 1.0 art (VPAA) credit required for
graduation. This course can be used as an art credit or as an elective credit.

Learning Goals
1) To become proficient in the technical and creative aspects of photography.
2) Develop the habit of looking closely at the visual world around you in order to capture
an aesthetic moment.
3) Use digital cameras and associated computer equipment for creating, modifying, and
producing images for print and digital media.
4) Create a digital archive of your work via weebly portfolio.
5) Master specific composition techniques associated with digital photography including
the manipulation of images for enhanced design.
6) Learn about the history and aesthetics of fine art photography.

All work will be placed on the students Weebly for credit when due. Files that are not
uploaded and published will not receive credit. Weebly is accessible from anywhere and
anytime for students to upload and refine their work.

Digital Photography Grade Weights:

1) Mastery Projects .............................30%
2) Mastery Test ....30%
3) Process Homework and Participation ..20%
4) Mastery Quiz ...... 10%
5) Mastery Final Project ...... 10%

Participation includes: being on time, prepared for class, participating in class discussions
and critiques, cleaning-up, responsible use of equipment & supplies, work ethic, and
generally doing what you are suppose to do everyday.

Homework includes handouts and Journals. Due dates for Journals are always on Friday.
Please check PowerSchool and GoogleClassroom.

Skyline High School Grading Scale- Student Evaluation:

Letter Grade Percentage 4.0 GPA SCALE
A+ 97 - 100 4.0
A 93 - 97 4.0
A- 90 - 92 3.67
B+ 88 - 89 3.33
B 83 - 87 3.00
B- 80 - 82 2.67
C+ 78 79 2.33
C 73 - 77 2.00
C- 70 - 72 1.67
D+ 68 - 69 1.33
D 63 - 67 1.00
D- 60 - 62 0.67
E Below 60 is Failing 0.0

Classroom Procedures
In order to meet the aforementioned learning goals students are expected to:
~ NO cellphones unless given the okay to use to upload images. All photographs for
PROJECTS need to be taken outside of school.
~ NO food or drinks at the computer desks
~ music with only one headphone in is allowed DURING WORK TIME ONLY
~ NO watching MOVIES at anytime
~ be in class on time every day
~ follow the directions and turn your work in on time
~ be prepared for class everyday with images ready to edit on Monday
~ work productively in class everyday and take responsibility for work and time
management
~ clean up after themselves and help to maintain the classroom environment
~ work independently when the teacher is working with other students

Late work means the assignment was NOT ATTEMPTED. Late work will be accepted
when the student discusses the situation with the teacher ONLY and has to be before the
due date. Work that is later than ONE week late does not have to be taken. Final deadline
for all late work will be determined with teacher permission only.

Reshooting. Reshooting means a student misinterpreted the assignment. Students will not
lose points if they have to reshoot.

Homework and Journals.

After 5 absences it becomes difficult to know what is going on in a lab class where most
of the information is delivered via demonstrations and lectures. In these cases, the student
will be given alternative assignments that can be done at home.

Digital Photography 1 is a LAB CLASS. Lab Class time missed is the responsibility of
the student to MAKE UP. The media center has the Adobe suite, there are days I stay
after school (please confirm with me personally) and student can download a trial
program from adobe.com.

Students who misuse the classroom equipment or supplies will be given alternative
assignments that can be done without the classroom equipment and supplies. An example
would be a student not doing their assigned work because they did not do their homework
but are playing a video game in class. Students who do this will lose their computer
privileges.

Mastery Learning
Each student in the arts will accomplish a set of benchmarks in a cyclical manner
of learning where the students demonstrate their ability of each skill, working
towards the National Standards. Mastery work needs to be on time in order for it
to be graded properly. Late Mastery work will reflect the adjusted score.

Supplies
Students will need a AAPS email address and access to their email. Students will need a
flash or thumb drive that will hold 8GB/16GB or 32GB and a CAMERA. A camera can
be the students phone, it can be a point and shoot or a DSLR/ Cameras with Memory or
SD cards DO NOT need to be brought to class, student can bring in the card as the class
has card readers. Students will have room on the desktop in the lab but they will need to
back up their work. Students will be creating a digital journal via Google Classroom.

Skyline Writing Center Website: tinyurl.com/skylinewc

The Skyline Writing Center offers free writing support to all currently enrolled Skyline students. Writing
Center tutors are highly trained juniors and seniors that have been identified as having excellent writing
skills and teaching ability. The Writing Center is open every hour of every day that school is in session.
Writing Center tutors can assist students at any academic level and at any stage in the writing process from
initial brainstorming to final revisions. Students may use the Writing Centers services for writing
assignments in any course (except for world language courses). Students may also use the Writing Center
for creative writing, college essays, ACT writing preparation, and more.

Students can visit a tutor in person in room B429 on a walk-in or appointment basis. Appointments can be
made with specific tutors at specific times by using the Writing Center website. In-person sessions typically
last 15-20 minutes. Students can also submit their work through the Writing Centers website for online
tutoring in the Online Writing Lab (OWL). Writing is returned in 48-72 hours with suggestions and an
invitation to visit the Writing Center for a follow-up appointment.
Please sign, date the form below and have your child return to Mrs. Giltner as soon as
possible.

As the Parent/Guardian of _______________________________________, I agree to the

following:

(Please check all that apply to you.)

_ I have fully read the letter sent home explaining materials needed for the Digital
Photography 1 class.
_ My child has a camera they can use and can bring to school or bring the SD card or the
a flash drive with the images/ photos on it.
_ My child needs to borrow a camera from the school which can not be taken home. My
child has permission to sign it out and we will be responsible for its safe keeping.
_ I will contact Mrs. Giltner directly and immediately with any concerns I may have.
_ I will encourage my child to finish their assignments on time and ask about their work.
_ I will monitor my childs weekly homework assignments to ensure they are complete.
_ I would like to provide my email for communications from Mrs. Giltner as needed.

My email (please print clearly): ____________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature Date: ___________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Phone Number(s): __________________________________________