Creative Photography I ART 244 A

Kia LaBeija, Aurora

Creative Photography I ART 244 A Monday and Wednesday 9:30 AM – 12:15 PM Online Fort Hays State University Spring 2021

Instructor: Nick Simko

Assistant Professor, Photography Zoom Office Hours:

Mondays from 2:30 – 4:30 Tuesdays from 3:30 – 5:30

Wednesdays from 2:30 – 4:30 appointments by request

[email protected]

Course Description This online course is an intensive exploration of the medium of digital photography. Students will be introduced to camera functions, image capture, and digital editing. They will also learn how to think conceptually and to create photographs as works of art. Through weekly assignments, lectures, demonstrations, and critiques, students will cultivate a variety of new tools for creative exploration and expression in the medium. Students will also consider the rich and complex history of photography as well as a range of contemporary photographic practices. The course culminates in a self-directed final project that will require each student to use their technical knowledge to create a cohesive group of digital images. Class time will be a combination of technical demonstrations, lab time, class critiques, in-class discussions, and slide presentations. Students are expected to participate in every class session, and to devote a considerable amount of time outside of class to making their photographic work. This class is time-intensive, and will require each student’s consistent engagement and self-directed problem-solving. Critiques are an integral part of this course, where students will share their work and ideas with each other in a thought-provoking and constructive environment.

This course requires each student to have a digital camera or smartphone that can shoot at least 18 megapixels (MP). Smartphones must be able to download the Adobe Lightroom Photo Editor App. A reliable computer operating system that can open both Zoom and Adobe software is also required. Students must also have a stable internet connection in order to participate. Students will also need an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription to use the programs addressed in this class, specifically Adobe Lightroom Classic and Photoshop. Please note that Chromebooks cannot accommodate Lightroom and Photoshop. This course does not include darkroom instruction. Course Goals

● Gain fluency with the digital camera/smartphone and camera principles ● Cultivate an awareness of historic and contemporary issues in fine art photographic practice ● Develop the ability to critically analyze and discuss photographic images

FHSU ART 244 A Creative Photography I - Simko 2 / 7

Projects & Project Schedule Students will turn in 5 projects over the course of the semester. Each project is designed to help students gain familiarity with the overall practice of photography as both a technical medium and as a conceptual way of creating art. These projects make up the majority of each student’s grade. Each project will conclude with in-class critiques. Part of learning to make outstanding photographic images requires an understanding of the diverse ways in which people see images and the underlying histories that they bring to looking at works of art. This process can only be carried out through discussion. Attendance and participation in Zoom critiques is required, no exceptions. Failure to attend critique results in a zero for that project. In addition, projects lose one letter grade for each day they are late.

There will be a number of technical assignments designed to help students with the various projects. These assignments are required and will be graded.

Unit Dates Projects Themes Skills

1 1/20-2/3 Sound into Vision WIP Meetings: 1/27 Group A Crit Date: 2/1 Group B Crit Date: 2/3

Abstraction as a visual language

DLSR/Smartphone basics, manual mode, exposure, RAW, ISO, shutter speed aperture/depth of field, focal length, reciprocity, color temperature, composition Lightroom basics, contact sheets, exporting

2 2/3-2/24 Narrative WIP Meetings: 2/17 Group A Crit Date: 2/22 Group B Crit Date: 2/24

Visual storytelling Lightroom editing, color correction, image sequencing, cropping, selective edits, hue, saturation, luminance, black and white presets

3 2/24-3/17 Portraiture WIP Meetings: 3/10 Group A Crit Date: 3/15 Group B Crit Date: 3/17

Collaborative image-making

Lighting, working with available light, shooting indoors, interviewing subjects

4 3/17-4/15 Landscape WIP Meetings: 4/7 Group A Crit Date: 4/12 Group B Crit Date: 4/15

Notions of place, space, and time

Outdoor lighting, HDR, panorama

5 4/15-5/5 Final WIP Meetings: 4/21 Groups A & B Crit Date: May 3 & 5

Self-directed Synthesis of skills for self-directed final project


Evaluation All major projects are graded equally on evidence of developing photographic skills such as fulfilling works-in-progress (WIP) requirements on time, exploring and experimenting with the conceptual dimensions of personal work, formal decision-making (exposure, composition etc.), correct formatting of projects, and participation in critique. Students can expect full points for each category according to the following criteria: In-Progress Students seeks the opinion of peers/instructor, experiments with multiple ideas,

submits contact sheet on time, participates in required meetings with instructor

Conceptual Outstanding commitment to developing ideas, original and creative problem solving, clear visual demonstration of ideas expressed from abstract vision to photographic image

Formal Excellent execution overall, in-camera choices appropriate, digital editing perfected, carefully formulated compositions

Critique Prep/Participation

Images are submitted and presented with the correct formatting; student has thoughtful, constructive feedback to offer to classmates in critique

Work that possesses several of the above qualities, but not all of them, will not receive full points. Above all, each student’s success in this course will be determined by their individual willingness to explore the many facets of photographic image-making paired with satisfactory progress towards a working familiarity with digital imaging technologies. In other words, students will be evaluated on their personal commitment to making photographs that are exciting and meaningful to them AND their understanding of how the camera and software operates. For more details, please review the detailed rubrics included at the end of the syllabus. Grading

A Outstanding commitment to developing ideas, original and creative problem solving, demonstrating clear evidence of risk-taking. Excellent technical execution.

B Work that possesses several of the above qualities, but not all of them.

C Assignment completed according to expectations, doing what is asked, minimal risk-taking, technique not entirely refined

D Less than satisfactory completion of expectations, minimal results, late, sloppy, or incomplete.

F Failure to complete minimum expectations.

Late Work This is a college-level course and all work should be completed and turned in on time. For every day that a project is late, students will lose a full letter grade for that project. Projects will not be accepted after three days of being late. When a project is submitted after the deadline, the student must also make the instructor aware that it has been submitted to Google Drive via e-mail in order for it to be graded. If a student misses a critique, that student will receive a zero for that project.


Grade Breakdown (Detailed rubrics are included at the end of the syllabus)

Assessment areas Possible points

Unit 1 Project - Sound into Vision 12

Unit 2 Project - Narrative 12

Unit 3 Project - Portraiture 12

Research Presentation 6

Unit 4 Project - Landscape 12

Unit 5 Project - Final 16

Projects Total 70 / 100 points

Exposure Basics & Composition (Parts A & B) 4

Recreation Assignment 2

Description Assignment 2

Lighting Assignment 2

HDR Assignment 2

Panorama Assignment 2

Assignments Total 14 / 100 points

Participation - Attendance 4

Participation - Engagement 4

Participation - Questions 4

Participation - Respect 4

Participation Total 16 / 100 points

Points Total 100 / 100 points

Class Meetings, Studio Time, and Critique This course will meet synchronously (i.e. live) via Zoom on Mondays from 9:30 AM – 12:15 PM. We will use the same link for every class session. It is located on the Blackboard homepage for the course. During this time, we will have critique, lectures, review assignments, and discuss digital imaging skills. Most Wednesdays will be reserved for studio time. This means that we will NOT usually meet together as a class on Wednesdays via Zoom. However, students will be assigned video tutorials and exercises related to


skill-based areas of image capture and editing. It is expected that students will be working during this time on Wednesdays. The professor will also be available on Wednesdays from 9:30-10:30 AM for any questions that students might have about assignments or the course in general. The Wednesdays ahead of critique will be reserved for individual meetings with the instructor, where students will meet with the professor via Zoom to discuss their works-in-progress as well as their performance in the course. These meetings are required. Further, class critique will happen in two groups. Group A will have group critique on Mondays, while Group B will have critique on Wednesdays. Students are only required to participate in the group critique of the group that they are assigned to. However, the final group critique on May 3 & 5 will involve BOTH groups participating in BOTH sessions together. This is required. Also note that ALL projects must be submitted by the Sunday night deadline before critique week regardless of which group that a student is participating in. Otherwise, projects will be considered late and students will lose points. If you have any questions, please come to the instructor Zoom office hours on Mondays from 2:30 – 4:30 PM, Tuesdays from 3:30 – 5:30 PM, or Wednesdays from 2:30 – 4:30 PM. Attendance and Participation Attendance is absolutely mandatory on all days that the class meets synchronously and for the entire duration of class time. Student grades will be adversely affected by absences, lateness, or premature exit from class unless otherwise arranged with the instructor beforehand. More than three (3) unexcused absences will result in a lowering of a grade by a full letter grade. Being late to class or leaving early three (3) times is equal to one (1) absence. All of the instructor’s contact information is listed on this syllabus; therefore, it is the student’s responsibility (and that student’s responsibility alone) to notify the instructor, in advance, about any absences. Students should not allow attendance ruin their grade. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they have obtained all of the material they missed for any absence by checking the online resource portal (Blackboard) first. Everything is organized by unit and date on Blackboard. If the student has further questions after reviewing the requirements on Blackboard, then they may e-mail the professor. If a student is aware that they will be absent ahead of time, all work, including in-class assignments, must be done in advance in order to get full points. Note that the expectations with regard to attendance and participation portion of a student’s grade is further outlined in the Attendance and Participation rubric at the end of this syllabus. Online Component / E-mails This class will utilize Zoom for synchronous (i.e. live) class meetings and Blackboard for course content. All projects will be uploaded via Google Drive. Announcements for the class will be sent out through Blackboard directly via FHSU e-mail. It is essential that students check their FHSU e-mail on a daily basis to receive assignments, lectures, directions, and updates with regards to the class. Failure to do so will adversely affect student performance in this class and ultimately a student’s grade.


Expectations and Academic Dishonesty The work presented in class MUST be made by the student from initial idea to final finished product. Any work made by anyone other than the student will NOT be accepted; nor will work that was made prior to this class; nor will work that is/was made for another class. If students have questions about academic honesty in relation to this course, please ask the instructor. Turning in someone else’s work will result in an automatic failure of the course (a letter grade of “F” with academic dishonesty). Creative Photography I, like all studio and academic classes, demands a commitment of time in order to perform successfully. Students are encouraged to read FHSU’s Academic Honesty Policy, which is found in the University Catalog and online at: https://www.fhsu.edu/academic/provost/handbook/ch_2_academic_honesty/ Zoom Etiquette, Screen Fatigue, and Rest Please come to class on time as important updates are covered during the first 10-15 minutes of class, as well as the agenda for that week’s lessons. Students should be situated in a quiet area with minimal amount of activity in the background. No one else may be within view of your camera during class as it is a distraction and infringes on the privacy of those enrolled in the class. For additional privacy, students are encouraged to use a virtual background in Zoom. Also, no one else may be present and/or in view of the camera as this also infringes on the privacy of everyone involved in the class. Upon entering the chat, students should set their microphones to mute and unmute when they would like to contribute to the conversation. The best way for a student to “raise a hand” is to indicate this in the chat. Please refrain from eating during Zoom meetings. If students need to step away from the computer during a live Zoom meeting, they should mute their video and audio feeds. Much of this semester will take place in front of a screen. It is important that students set their screens at medium brightness and sit in comfortable chairs with adequate lower back support. It is also very important for students to make sure that they step away from the computer once every hour, even if only for a few minutes, to grab a snack, a glass of water, or to touch base with a friend or loved one. Finally, it is important that students rest. If students do not take the time to rest, they cannot fully engage with the material in a meaningful way. That said, all students should have designated times during the day to take a break. They should also have a routine of regular sleeping hours, as well as restricting use of portable electronics such as cellphones and laptops several hours before bedtime. For more resources on how to cultivate a better work-life balance as a student, please contact the Kelly Center at FHSU. Cell Phones and Technology As a matter of courtesy, students should mute cell phones and other devices prior to the beginning of class. If students are using their phone for any reason (which includes text messaging, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, etc.), I will give that student one (1) warning after which time I will count every instance of use as a late to class / early departure. That being said, three (3) instances of in-class engagement with non-related devices or applications (or any combination of the two) will result in one (1) absence. Further, students may not make images, screen captures, videos, or any other kind of recording of any individual during live class meetings without that party’s expressed verbal consent, written consent, or knowledge. Please remember that it is a violation of privacy to post images online of someone without their consent and without their knowledge.


ADA FHSU is committed to full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These and other federal, state and local laws prohibit discrimination against qualified persons with disabilities. Under the ADA, “disability” means a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity of an individual; a record of such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment. A substantial impairment is one that significantly limits or restricts a major life activity such as hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, performing manual tasks, walking, or caring for oneself. For information pertaining to services, activities, and facilities that are accessible to persons with disabilities, contact the Human Resource Office, Sheridan Hall Room 110, 600 Park Street, Hays, KS 67601, (785) 628-4462. Students can also visit the following page for more information: https://fhsu.edu/president/Compliance-Office/Americans-with-Disabilities-Act/index.html Harassment It is expected that all students enrolled in the course will abide by the terms and conditions of student conduct and academic honesty as cited in the FHSU campus-wide policy. FHSU is committed to creating and maintaining a community in which students, faculty, administrative, and academic staff can learn and work together in an atmosphere that enhances productivity and draws on the diversity of its members; an atmosphere free from all forms of disrespectful conduct, harassment, exploitation or intimidation, including sexual. No form of harassment will be tolerated in this class. Title IX In an effort to meet obligations under Title IX, FHSU faculty are considered “responsible employees” by the Department of Education (see pg 15 - http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/qa-201404-title-ix.pdf). This designation requires that any report of gender discrimination which includes sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and sexual violence made to a faculty member must be reported to one of the University's Title IX Officers. Please visit the following page for more information: https://fhsu.edu/president/Compliance-Office/Title-IX-Policy/index.html Student Support Services:

● FHSU Computing and Telecommunications Center Help Desk http://www.fhsu.edu/tigertech/

● Forsyth Library

http://www.fhsu.edu/library

● Writing Center https://www.fhsu.edu/WritingCenter/

Creative Photography I (Art 244 A) Spring 2021 Simko Thematic Project Rubric (12 points possible per project, 4 projects total)

No points 0 points each

Half points 0.5 points each

Full points 1 point each

In-Progress Work 3 points possible

● Student has no ideas to discuss with the group ● Student does not submit contact sheet ● Student does not participates in one-on-one

meetings with instructor

● Student has less than 2-3 ideas to discuss with the group

● Student submits contact sheet late and/or with less than the required number of images (less than 100)

● Student participates in one-on-one meetings with instructor after the scheduled time

● Student discusses 2-3 ideas with the group ● Student submits contact sheet with correct number

of images (100-200) ● Student participates in one-on-one meetings with

instructor

Conceptual: 3 points possible

● Ideas are reflected in few, if any, of the images ● No creative risk-taking is evident ● The included images are not cohesive and are not

related thematically

● Ideas are somewhat reflected in the images, but not

clearly or consistently ● Some creative risk-taking is evident ● Some of the included images are purposeful in the

project, but not all of them

● Ideas are successfully reflected in the images ● Creative risk-taking is evident ● All of the included images are purposeful in the

sequence/series

Formal 3 points possible

● Exposure has many technical issues that

demonstrate little to no technical control of camera

● Composition is thought-out in a few images, but overall the compositions are not refined

● Editing has many errors with color balance, chromatic aberration, etc.

● Exposure is adequate with some technical issues that

demonstrate some lack of control of camera ● Composition is standard, relying on basic methods of

composing an image ● Editing is mostly correct, but has some errors with color

balance, chromatic aberration, etc.

● Exposure is outstanding and very successful on a

technical level ● Composition is sophisticated and complex ● Editing is refined and inspiring

Critique Prep/Participation 3 points possible

● Image files are not present ● Google Slides presentation is not present ● Student does not participate in critique or only

does so when asked

● Image files are not correctly formatted in Google Slides ● Image files are incorrectly labeled or the wrong size in

Google Drive ● Student sometimes participates in critique

● Image files are correctly formatted in Google Slides ● Hi-res image files are correctly uploaded to Google

Drive ● Student actively participates in critique while also

making space for the opinions of others

Final Project Rubric (additional points) (4 points PLUS the thematic project rubric expectations listed above, for a total of 16 points)

Participation Rubric (16 points total, cumulative throughout the semester and different from the participation grade in critique)

No points 0 points

Half points 2 points

Full points 4 points

Personal and Creative Growth 4 points possible

● The student has not shown an interest in the cultivation of their creative vision or honing in on the technical and conceptual aspects of their work.

● The student is somewhat interested in the cultivation of their creative vision and honing their technical and conceptual abilities in their work.

● The student is deeply invested in the cultivation of their creative vision and consistently pursues new and exciting ways of approaching the technical and conceptual dimensions of their creative practice.

No points 0 points

Half points 2 points

Full points 4 points

Attendance 4 points possible

● Student does not attend class ● Student is sometimes absent without explanation ● Student is present for practically every class

Participates in group conversations 4 points possible

● Student does not participate in group conversations

● Student sometimes participates in group conversations ● Student actively participates in group conversations

Asks questions 4 points possible

● Student does not ask questions ● Student sometimes asks questions ● Student always asks questions that benefit the entire class

Respects and makes space for the opinions of others 4 points possible

● Student does not respect nor make space for the opinion of others

● Student sometimes respects and makes space for the opinion of others

● Student respects and makes space for the opinion of others

Documents

Creative Photography I ART 244 A