PHOTOGRAPHY I : Art 2090 - sections 08 and 12

Susan Bryant
Fall, 2009; TR 11:10 - 2:10 and 2:20 - 5:20
bryants@apsu.edu
Office: Trahern 204,
221-7348
Office Hours: Mon.11:15-12:15, Wed.2:30-3:30, Thur.10-11am &/or by
appointment

“I think there is an element of magic in photography … light,

chemistry, precious metals … a certain alchemy.”

“I believe in wonder. I look for it in my life everyday; I find it in the

most ordinary places.”
Keith Carter, Photographer

Course Description
“Introduction to creative black and white photography with small-
format camera. Introduction to development of film, camera use, and
darkroom procedure.”

Required Text
No text is required for this course

Course Objectives
In this introductory class you will address the fundamentals of black
and white photography to include study in the following areas:
• Technical skills: Use of the 35mm camera, film processing,
black and white enlarging and print presentation.
• Design Principles: the visual elements and compositional
elements as used in black and white photography
• Photography and Art: Effective artistic problem solving,
expression and image creation.
• Art Criticism: description, analysis, interpretation, evaluation
• Photographers and their work: Presentations of a variety of
photographers their work and ideas.

Course Structure & Requirements

Class Lectures and Demonstrations
* Especially in the beginning of the semester we will have several
introductory lectures that1 are essential to attend
* Photo Assignment Lectures (power point lectures with sample
of works relating to each assignment). These are extremely
helpful to begin shooting for each assignment.
* Demonstrations; important “hands-on” demonstrations.
Photo Assignments
• Each assignment involves artistic and technical issues
• Refer to class calendar for due dates
• Projects turned in after the due date will be graded lower,
depending on the reason.
• Shoot & process approximately 2 rolls of film per week (17-20
for the semester)
• Keep an organized notebook of your negatives and dated
contact sheets (proof sheets) in chronological order. Bring to
class each day.
* Keep an organized notebook of your class calendars,
assignment sheets, reading assignments, on-line
research, notes during class, etc.

Reading Assignments
Though no text is required, I will give hand-outs and on-line
reading assignments which you are expected to read and be ready to
discuss/or write about before the next class meeting.

Class Critiques
• Students are required to attend and participate in all class
critiques.
• Critiques are scheduled both as "in progress, informal crits" as
well as "formal critiques" when photo assignments are due.
• You must participate in the critique; part of your class
responsibility and grade is to give feedback to your
fellow students; your classmates; your peers.

Quiz There is a quiz at the end of the semester which counts as 10%
of your final grade. It will cover all lectures and demonstration;
technical elements of photography and processes learned during the
semester.

Extra lab hours  
Students can expect to put in extra lab hours (in addition to the scheduled class 
time) in order to complete projects. Your darkroom work, as well as your 
shooting of film, is your homework for this class (in addition to a few short 
reading assignments (open lab policy and times will be discussed in class).

Attendance Policy: Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class 
period. You must be here when I call your name. If you come to class after roll is 
called, it is your responsibility to make sure that I change you from absent to late 
in the roll­book. You are allowed as many unexcused absences as the class meets 
per week (2). After that, your final grade may be lowered by one letter grade. 
Excused absences such as illness, family emergency, etc. should be reported to 
the instructor by a verbal explanation, phone call, or e­mail (also, written 
documentation if this becomes habitual). If you are unsure about whether an 
absence will be excused, talk to me about it beforehand. 

The classroom experience is a vital part of college education.
* Interaction with instructors and other students is an important element 
in the learning process.
* Students are responsible for the material covered or assigned during any 
absence.  Find a classmate to exchange contact information and who will pick up 
handouts if you aren't in class. It is your responsibility to keep up with any 
changes in dates
Grading:  
Your final grade will be based upon the following:
Average of graded assignments/projects 80%
Quiz 10%
Attendance/punctuality, class participation,               10%
effort, attitude, commitment and deadlines) ____
100%

Methods of Evaluation:  Each project will be given a letter grade. In assigning 
grades to photo projects, the following are taken into consideration:
* creative problem solving
* creativity and originality 
* depth of thinking relative to content and/or visual organization
* technical quality (craftmanship) of your negatives, contact sheets, work 
               prints, final prints and presentation

 Another way of thinking of it is like this:
 90­100(A)   Work of distinctive excellence
 80­89(B)    Superior work, but not distinctive
 70­79(C)    Average work; expected; acceptable
 60­69(D)   Substandard work; accepted, but with disapproval
 0­60(F)    Not acceptable; work that fails to meet the objectives or 
        requirements of the assignment

Assignment Re­do Option: A completed project may be revised after grading, 
although only considerable improvement will suggest a grade change. If a 
project is revised, I will record only the higher grade, rather than an average. A 
project that was not completed on time cannot be revised.
Disability policy
Any student who has a disability that may affect his/her academic performance 
in this class is encouraged to make an appointment with me to discuss this 
matter and should also contact the office of Disability Services; telephone 221­
6230; voice 221­6278.

Academic and classroom misconduct
Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at all times. 
Academic and classroom misconduct will not be tolerated. Students must read 
the “Code of Student Conduct” in the new Student Handbook for an 
understanding of what will be expected of them within the academic setting.

Minors in the classroom
Minors (any non­student under the age of 18) accompanying staff, faculty, 
students, or visitors on campus are not permitted in the classroom.

Electronic devices
Please turn all cell phones and pagers to silent ring so as not to disturb the class. 
No cell phones used in the darkroom (light exposes film & paper)
No texting during class. Please be considerate to your students & teacher.

Significant Dates:
September 1 – Labor Day, No Class
October 18 ­ Midterm
October 19 & 20 ­ Fall Break, No Class
November 11, Veteran’s Day, No Class
November 26 & 29, Thanksgiving Holiday, No Class
Wednesday, December 9, Last day for this class
Tuesday, December 15, FINAL EXAM for this class, 1:30 – 3:30

Final Exam times  (all students are required to attend)
Monday, May 4, 1:30 ­ 3:30,     2:20 class
Tuesday, May 5, 10:30 ­ 12:30,    11:10 class

 Safety Regulations : 

1. DO NOT EAT OR DRINK IN EITHER DARKROOM.
You may eat in the classroom before or after class. (please clean up after 
yourself.)  You may drink during class if your container has a lid.
2. Certain chemicals used in photographic processes may irritate the skin and 
cause allergic reactions to individuals who are susceptible. Wear plastic gloves or 
use printing tongs if your ski n is highly sensitive.
* There will be certain chemicals used (in Photo II, Selenium Toner, where gloves 
are required to be used.)

3. Wash hands carefully with soap and water after working with photographic 
chemicals, before eating and during work breaks.

4. In case of spills or accidental skin contact with irritating chemicals, wash the 
affected skin immediately with water. In case of eye contact, rinse the eyes for at 
least 15 minutes (continue rinsing and call a physician).

5. If spills occur in the darkroom, act immediately by either cleaning it or 
contacting the instructor or custodian to avoid galls in the dark.

6. Items such as mat cutters, dry mount press, tacking iron will be demonstrated 
by the instructor, and should not be used until that time.

7. Disconnect all electrical equipment when not in immediate use (especially dry 
mount press and tacking iron).

8. A copy of OverExposure: Health Hazards in Photography, by Susan Shaw, is 
available in my office.

9. For information on pregnancy and photographic processes, see pages 41­44 of 
OverExposure and consult your physician.