This studio course focuses on the analysis and creation of portraits using the photographic medium. Through various exercises and projects students will gain an understanding of portraiture throughout the history of photography, while focusing on developing a personal style and creating depth through conceptual content in their work.

Choice of camera format is up to student, however choice of camera and also-more importantly-choice of LENSES will be scrutinized and evaluated. Cell-phones and point-and-shoots are not allowed.

Required Text: None

Recommended Text: Fred Archer on Portraiture (provided)

As a result of successfully completing this course, students...

Will be able to:

• Refine individual approaches to portraiture
• Produce a completed portfolio of dynamic and provocative portraits
• Demonstrate established compositional methods
• Use light deliberately to create emotive and narrative images
• Direct subjects to create effective compositions
• Develop strategies to engage with a variety of subjects
• Be self-critical of aesthetic concerns related to portraiture

Will display the following attitudes / professional behaviors:

• Meet assigned deadlines
• Accept and apply feedback
• Proper care for equipment
• Prepare for and contribute to class discussions and critiques

Specific Grade Points

• 94 to 100% = A
• 90 to 93.9% = A-
• 87 to 89.9% = B+
• 84 to 86.9% = B
• 80 to 83.9% = B-
• 77 to 79.9% = C+
• 74 to 76.9% = C
• 70 to 73.9% = C-
• 67 to 69.9% = D+
• 64 to 66.9% = D
• 60 to 63.9% = D-
• 0 to 59.9% = F

Please take a moment to read the below the breakdown of grade to quality to points in relation to your work. Most students over-estimate their grade by at least a full letter grade. Please note the "B" range which is ABOVE AVERAGE WORK. "A" work is outstanding, perfect, EXCEPTIONAL in quality and effort ....... think about it, take all the time you need.

• 225-250 = A Outstanding work. Work meets all class requirements and demonstrates an exceptional degree of quality and effort in assignments.
• 200-224 = B Above average work. Work meets all class requirements and demonstrates a high degree of quality and effort in assignments.
• 175-199 = C Average work. Work meets all the minimum class requirements and demonstrates an acceptable degree of quality and effort in assignments.
• 150-174 = D Poor work. Work meets some, but not all the class requirements and may be missing elements and/or lacks quality and effort in assignments.
• 0-149 = F Failure. Meets few of any of the class requirements. Inadequate and/or incomplete assignments.

Project Breakdown

Please note, each assignment will contain points for progress critiques, completion of various types, punctuality of progress etc. Please refer to the handout or rubric (if provided) for specifics on each. Failure to meet these specific parameters will result in a lowered grade and may not be made up.

• Assignment 1- The Self: Encounter the shadow- 25 Points
• Assignment 2- The Other: and other. Available light portrait. Reflected light/diffused light -25 Points
• Assignment 3- The Stranger: informal portrait Anything you can get your hands on -25 Points
• Assignment 4- The Message: Editorial/Narrative Portrait -25 Points
• Final-100 Points
• Journal Project 1 -25 Points
• Journal Project 2 -25 Points
• 250 Total possible points

Studio Exercises for participation and learn’in

• Available Light
• Constant Light
• Strobe
• Improvised Light
• Deconstruction Assignment

Friday are always open studio day for shoots we will be scheduling ahead for usage.

Week 1

1/7 W: Syllabus Intro.

Week 2

1/12 M: History of Portraiture Lecture

Homework: Bring in portfolio.

1/14-W: Review of portfolios class discussion. Previous student work slideshow. Reminder: 1st Journal turn-in week 4.

Week 3

1/19 M: MLK DAY No Class

1/21-W: Critique of Self portraiture. Discuss available light modification. modifier building demo. Homework: Get parts for modifiers.

Homework: Assigned reading--handout and web Link.

Week 4

1/26 M: Slideshow on “The Gaze” discussion of reading. Demo on diffuser/reflector construction and use.

Homework: Available light portrait hard light/diffused light.

1/28-W: In class exercise: “Identifying Character”. Do’s and don’ts of studio work.

Week 5

2/2-M: Available light 2 due/Critique. Lecture on constant lighting. Homework: Finish Journals.

2/4 W: No Class Sam out of town

Week 6

2/9 M: In class demo of continuous lighting.

2/11 W: In class demo of continuous lighting.

Week 7

2/16 M: Presidents’ Day No Class

2/18 W: In class demo of continuous lighting.

Week 8

2/23-M: Continuous light studio day

2/25-W: Slide show on strobe

Homework: Final Project Proposal. Think about Location Portraits. Strobe and studio étiquette demo.

Week 9

3/2 -M:

3/4 -W:

Week 10

3/9- M: Springggg Breaaakkkk

3/11 W: Spring Break for Evahhhh

Week 11

3/16-M: Critique Assignment Lecture/Homework: Deconstruction

3/18-W: Review WIP Deconstruction-set drawings/materials due Lecture: Location Portraiture.

PLEASE NOTE The last two assignments are “work ahead” please be sure to stay on top of due dates and make best use of your time.

Week 12

3/23-M: Studio Day

3/25-W: Studio Day

Week 13

3/30-M: TBD

4/1-W: TBD

Week 14

4/6 -M: Critique: Deconstruction. Homework: Journal 2 Due Thursday.

4/8 -W: Final Project Progress Critique Lecture: Editorial/Narrative Portraiture Homework: Proposal for Editorial Portrait

Week 15

4/13-M: Final Project Progress critique-schedule meetings. Editorial/Narrative Portrait Finishing Day

4 /15-W:

Week 16

Tuesday 4/21: FINAL PROJECT CRIT 7am (guys we gotta talk about that time yo)

4/20 M: Final Project Progress critique-schedule meetings. Editorial/Narrative Portrait Finishing Day.

4/22 -W: Critique: Editorial/Narrative Critique

Week 15

(we gotta talk about the final exam time)

ALL ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE IN CLASS ON THE DATE STATED ON EACH INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT SHEET AND MUST BE TURNED IN PERSONALLY BY EACH STUDENT.

NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED

Assignment Due Dates

Everything due for an assignment is listed on each individual assignment sheet along with the date when it is due. All assignments are due at the beginning of class. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of what is due and when it is due.

Late Work Policy

All assignments are due on the date as stated on each assignment sheet. Late work will NOT be accepted.

Individual Feedback

Students seeking in-depth, individual feedback about their work can set up one-on-one meetings with the professor at their own discretion during the professor’s office hours.

Written Document Policy

All written documents due for credit must be printed and turned in at the beginning of the class on the assigned due date. It is the student’s responsibility to have their written documents printed before class and turned in on time. No written document will be accepted late or electronical

Authorship / Quality Policy

All work submitted for credit must be new work made THIS semester for this class at this school and must be made personally by the student. Prints should be of the highest quality possible per the parameters of the assignment. The student is fully responsible for the technical and aesthetic quality of all the work submitted for credit in this class. Equipment/ facility problems will not be accepted as an excuse. These are common challenges that need to be overcome using planning and time. Lab monitors in the digital lab are not tutors. Assignments should be showcasing the student’s understanding of technology and their quality of execution, not the lab monitors. Students found taking excessive advantage of the lab monitors assistance will be treated as being academically dishonest. Lab monitors have been advised on this issue.

Challenging Content Policy

Art, and college, by their very nature are meant to challenge ideas. During this course you will be exposed to a wide range of Photographic and Contemporary Art. Triggering and challenging topics of all kinds will possibly be discussed and shown. Topics can and will likely include: Nudity, Political/religious issues, historical combat and medical photography, work about identity, race, gender, sexuality, tragedy, crime etc. If you have objections to this content please consult your professor or department chair.

Studio Days

Studio/work days are mandatory. Attendance will be taken and this will contribute to your attendance record

Attendance

In the studio class setting, regular attendance is required at all class meetings. Missing more than 4 class sessions will result in a final grade no higher than a C-. Critique days are required for turning in your work. If you are absent on your assigned critique day your work will not be accepted.

Tardiness

Class starts on time, please do not be late-most days there is a lot of set-up and break down. Tardiness from class exceeding 15 minutes will count as an absence. 3 tardies count as one absence (please refer to above regarding absences). The professor is not responsible for the content missed during an absence-or due to your tardiness.

Cellular Phone Policy

The use of cellular phones or any mobile communication device in class is not permitted. Students are responsible for silencing such devices and stowing them out of sight during class. If you interrupt class using such a device, you will be asked to leave and marked absent for that class. I do not allow recording of my course/lectures. Exceptions will be made for students with an accommodation letter.

Required Course Materials

• A functioning proper camera with lens
• A tripod
• A PC/Hotshoe Adapter
• A journal to turn in (for a grade).
• A portable hard drive and/or thumb drive-for your personal use
• Archival box for image storage and turning in assignments*
• At least one box (50 sheets) of Inkjet or Darkroom Paper (high quality)
• Any additional supplies & costs for production
• A remote shutter release cable for your camera
• Basic art tools:
  • Blade/Boxcutter etc.
  • Sharpies
  • Assorted tapes etc.
• * must be a photographic/fine art style archival box, no craft-store/scrapbooking boxes allowed

Required Course Materials That you REALLY NEED but I understand if you can't afford:

• A light meter-if you are a photo major you NEED a meter....really...
• A portrait lens something around: (SINGLE FOCAL LENGTH the faster the aperture the better)
  • 35mm to 50mm for APSC
  • 80mm to135 for 35/FF digital
  • 110mm to 150mm for Medium Format
  • 210mm to 300mm for 4x5
• White balance card/color checker
• Bounce reflector/board
• Translume/toughspun diffuser (this is really optional but it's really handy)
• Neutral density gels

Prerequisite

Prerequisite: ART3800: Photography Principles Color/Digital

A Note about Photo Books

Over the years I have had a large number of successful students. They share one common trait among them-the love of photography books-which is to say "coffee table books" or artist monographs. Along with this, a voracious appetite for magazines. The quality of imagery in printed form is a far better way to experience imagery than on a screen. While books and magazines are expensive they are a fantastic investment in your craft. If you cannot afford to collect books and magazines on your own you • must** make an effort to go to the library which is an equally valuable experience.

Photography Community Involvement

Advanced Photography students are encouraged to participate in co-curricular activities and events designed to create and foster personal and professional growth.

• SUU Photography Club
• SPE National Conference

B.F.A. Foundations Review

In the Photography program, at Southern Utah University, this review reflects the benchmark of basic proficiency in 2-D design, color theory, photographic and digital technology, and craft of the candidate. The review also reflects a general attitude and commitment towards the program by examining the candidate’s reaction to instruction and constructive criticism, as well as demonstrating the ability to generate original ideas, execute advanced thought, participate productively, and conduct themselves and present their work in a respectful and professional manner in the classroom. Ideally you should complete a minimum of three semesters after your acceptance into the program to give yourself enough time to develop a strong portfolio.

Please note that B.F.A students must complete 40.5 credits in Art and ARTH courses after they pass their foundation review.

Camera Format

You may shoot any camera format of your choice. If you have had the large format photography class and the class is not being offered concurrently with this class you may checkout a 4x5 camera kit and use the darkroom to develop film. If the large format photography class is being taught concurrently with this class and you choose to shoot that format you must supply your own equipment. Please note that if you choose to shoot film your deadlines and requirements for assignments are the same as if you were to shoot digitally, the use of film is always encouraged and supported.

Online Photographic Collections and Exhibition Sites

• The American Museum of Photography www.photographymuseum.com
• American Photography: A Century of Images CEPA Gallery www.pbs.org/ktca/americanphotography
• George Eastman House www.eastmanhouse.org
• J. Paul Getty Museum www.getty.edu/museum
• International Center of Photography www.icp.org
• The Library of Congress Print Room www.loc.gov/rr/print
• LOC: American Memory Collections http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html
• Light Work www.lightwork.org
• Luminous-Lint www.luminous-lint.com
• Masters of Photography www.masters-of-photography.com
• Museum of Modern Art www.moma.org/collection/depts/photography/
• New York Public Library index.html www.nypl.org/digital/index.htm
• Photo-eye Galleries www.photoeye.com
• The Photographers’ Gallery www.photonet.org.uk/index.php?archive
• Smithsonian Institution www.si.edu/art_and_design/photography
• Women in Photography International www.womeninphotography.org
• Zone Zero www.zonezero.com