An introduction to the fundamentals of photographic practice within the darkroom. Students learn basic darkroom techniques, including black and white film development, making contact sheets and printing with an enlarger as they explore and respond to the visual qualities of the medium. Film cameras will be provided.

Required Text: None

Recommended Texts:

• “Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography” by Roland Barthes. ISBN 0374521344
• “How to Read a Photograph” by Ian Jeffrey ISBN 0810972972

Students will demonstrate:

• the recognition of the subtle nuances of vision through the negotiation of technical skills, composition and concept.
• the fine-tuned relationship between their mind’s eye and that of the vision of their camera.
• an understanding of the roll of photography and the photographer in contemporary society.
• required skills that is necessary for someone to be successful studying art through in-depth discussions about assigned readings.
• an advanced photographic vocabulary pertaining to technical, conceptual, critical, and historical dialogs and practices.
• a mechanical mastery of black and white film exposure, development, and darkroom printing.

Grading Breakdown

• Project 1: Magic Shadows (photogram) 20 Points
• Project 2: Plato’s Portable Cave-Pinhole Photography 30 Points
• Project 3: Serious Play-the plastic camera 50 Points
• Project 4: Holga Final 50 Points
• Attendance: 50 points

Semester 200 Possible Points

A level:Outstanding work. Work meets ALL class requirements and demonstrates an exceptional degree of quality and effort in assignments, work that goes beyond the basic level of completion needed for the assignment and combines concept, craft and research using refined skills often through refinement and repetition (multiple attempts at project). Written work in this category goes beyond the scope of the assignment, combining outside perspectives and sources.

B level: Above average work. Work meets all class requirements and demonstrates a high degree of quality and effort in assignments. Creative work in this category is often really good but stops just short of going further to the next place. May be aesthetically pleasing and well crafted but shows room for improvement and integration of concept/research. Written work is thoughtful and well written demonstrates an engagement with the content that is beyond the basic assessment of the reading and incorporates personal unique viewpoints.

C level: Average work. Work meets all the minimum class requirements and demonstrates an acceptable degree of quality and effort in assignments. For creative assignments this is work that is simply completed to the letter of the task assigned. May not demonstrate a high level of enthusiasm but is basically proficient. Written work is properly composed and proofread but does not delve very deep into subject matter. Shows basic completion of thought.

D level: Poor work. Work meets some, BUT NOT ALL the class requirements and may be missing elements and / or lacks quality and effort in assignments. Shows obvious room for improvement. Written work is misspelled or demonstrates vague or superficial ideas.

F level: Failure. Meets few, if any, of the class requirements. Inadequate and/or incomplete assignments.

Overview of Assignments & Projects

Reading Responses/Discussion: (60 points total)
The text(s) we will be reading are an integral part of the course. Reading and subsequently responding to the text constitutes 30 points to your overall average. Please do not disregard this aspect of the course. For each unit of reading assigned you will be asked to write a response to the reading and generate a set of no less than three questions. These questions are for the benefit of discussion and should be used by you to contribute to dialog during class discussions.

Creative Projects: (160 points total)
You will be provided with a handout (pdf) for each assignment with overview and grading rubrics.

1. Magic Shadows:
   Photograms created creatively in the darkroom
2. Plato’s Portable Cave-Pinhole Photography:
   Building and using your own camera of the simplest form.
3. Serious Play-The Plastic Camera
   Using one of the simplest forms of commercially made cameras to explore vision and technique.
4. Bringing it Together (FINAL)-
   Using lessons and problem solving skills learned in projects 1-3 the student will use a traditional, manual camera to create a refined series of images.

Progress Critiques:
For each creative assignment we will meet and discuss your creative and technical progress and give suggestions to improve-there will be points assessed for these progress checks.

Weekly Course Calendar

The Semester at a Glance

"Photography begins with learning to see. Throughout the semester we will explore light, history, materials, observation, experimentation, and the development of a personal photographic voice."

UNIT I — LEARNING TO SEE

• Introduction
• History
• Camera Obscura
• Magic Shadows

UNIT II — BUILDING A CAMERA

• Pinhole Camera
• Exposure
• Paper Negatives
• Contact Printing
• Critique

UNIT III — FILM, TRUTH & POSSIBILITY

• Truth & Photography
• Film
• Holga
• Personal Voice
• Working in Series

UNIT IV — PERSONAL VOICE

• Editing
• Printing
• Final Project
• Portfolio Review

Submission Timing:

Late work is unprofessional. You are responsible for turning in all of your work on time. I much prefer if you turn in work that you are not necessarily happy with rather than not turning in work at all. Late work will receive a point penalty and work that is excessively late may not be accepted at all.

Work Sessions:

Work session days are designed to work on your projects in a supervised environment alongside your peers and to receive crucial feedback from the instructor. You are expected to be present and engaged in your work on work sessions days. Absence on a work session day will result in zero credit for that date.

Written Documents 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 students’ responsibility to have their written documents printed before class and turned in on time. No written documents will be accepted late or electronically!

Professor/Student Dialog:

It is highly encouraged that students communicate with the professor about any issues that they may be experiencing during the semester in regards to the comprehension and completion of assignments in a timely manner. This practice will facilitate proactive relationship between the professor and the student as opposed to a passive post-semester response that the student will not benefit from first hand. I am here for YOU. Please take advantage of the opportunity to obtain assistance and participate in dialog about your work.

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 are caught using such a device during class, you will be asked to leave and marked absent for that class. CELLPHONES CANNOT BE USED IN THE DARKROOM.

Note Taking Policy:

Students are responsible for all materials covered in class and note taking is highly encouraged. The professor is not responsible to re-teach missed or neglected material (see attendance policy), but rather will review the student’s notes with the student to clarify misconceptions.

In the studio class setting, regular attendance is required at all class meetings. Missing more than 5 class sessions will result in a grade no higher than a “C-“ final grade. Arrival within the first 15 minutes will count as late. Two late arrivals count as an absence. Tardiness from class exceeding 15 minutes will count as an absence.

Absences are only excused through the submission of an official doctor's note or a preemptively excused school related function. Proper documentation is required. No other absences will be excused. The student is solely responsible for any missed materials covered during an absence. Upon the absent student's return, the student is responsible for acquiring notes on any missed materials from their peers, and then scheduling a time to review those notes with the professor.

Required Materials

• Black & White Photo Paper: 25 sheets of 8x10 inches (you will likely use more) @ $40-$60/minimum of 25 sheets required
• Paper type is** Variable Contrast (aka Multigrade)/Resin Coated/your choice of surface gloss/luster/matt. Good brands are Ilford, Kentmere, Arista, Foma.
• Black & White 120mm Film 400 ISO 5rolls OR 35mm @ $5.99-$10.00 per roll8.5x11 (8x10/11x14) inch Archival Box**

Optional additional items:

• 8.5x11 inch Binder to hold Negatives
• Gaffer’s Tape
• Artist Tape
• Xacto Knife and Blades
• Pinhole Camera Building Supplies

Materials Provided:

• Holga 120 Camera
• Camera Modification Supplies
• Negative Sleeves
• Photographic Chemicals

• Notebook
• Current project materials
• Camera (when assigned)
• Curiosity
• A willingness to experiment