Syllabus

Photo 100
Introduction to Photography

Winter Quarter, 2002 1/8-3/21
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 0900-1200 noon AC 275
5 Quarter hours

Instructor: Hans Klemmer
School Voicemail: (630) 942-2800, Mailbox # 56395
Personal cell phone: (847) 293-1906
Email: Medic1@FoxValley.net


Course Description: An exploration of the fundamental principals, techniques
and application of camera-based image making and chemical and digital black
and white photographic processes.

Course Objectives:
1.) Understand the basic components and operation of a camera.
2.) Learn the effects that light and development have on film and
photographic paper.
3.) Show the ability to use artistic control with the camera through the use
of shutter speed and selective focus.
4.) Demonstrate development of black and white film and show how to make an
aesthetically pleasing black and white photographic print.
5.) Demonstrate knowledge of the difference between density and contrast.
6.) Learn to use the photographic process as a tool to communicate an idea
or a concept.
7.) Demonstrate the ability to digitally scan, manipulate and output a black
and white photograph.









Meeting Schedule: The class will meet in AC 275 on Tuesdays and Thursdays
from 9am until noon. The first week we will have our introductions, you will
receive a copy of the (this) syllabus and we will take a tour of our lab
facilities. The second week, will be mostly lecture with some darkroom time
on either Tuesday or Thursday as availability and time permits. Beginning
with the third week, Tuesdays will be an all lab (darkroom) day and the lab
will be reserved for our class during our usual class time. I will be there
and available to assist and answer questions at these times. You may also
use the darkroom at other times as meets your needs as long as another class
is not utilizing the darkroom. We have priority during our class times and
they have priority during theirs.

Attendance is mandatory for all scheduled lectures. If for some reason you
simply cannot make it to class please call me on my cell phone before the
class starts, otherwise you will be marked absent.

Grading: Grading will be based on attendance, participation in class,
assignments and the exams. Late work will loose one letter grade for each
week it is late. Each assignment will require the finished prints and proof
sheets.

Your final grade will be:
40% Class assignments
20% Written tests
20%Final assignment
20% Participation and attendance

At the beginning of class each Thursday, we will be having a group critique
of the week’s assignments. Here you will have a chance to see what everyone
else in the class is doing and to receive constructive input on your work.

Facility guidelines: The rules for the lab areas are based on common sense
and safety. The guiding principals are courtesy and cleanliness. The rules
for particular areas will be discussed specifically when we are working in
those areas. Please clean up after yourself. Our lab is a great place for
learning and experimentation in all of the aspects of photography. Treat the
equipment and others here gently and with care.
No loud arguing or fights, especially with another instructor. If you have a
problem, come and see me.

NEVER OPEN A CLOSED DOOR WITHOUT KNOCKING!!!

Chemical safety: The chemicals that we will be using can be irritating and
must be used properly and with care. Always wash your hands after being
exposed to any of the chemicals here. Never touch your eyes or mouth until
your hands are chemical free. Needless to say, food and drink are not
allowed in any of the processing rooms. If you get any chemicals in your
eyes or mouth, rinse thoroughly and seek first aid. If you spill anything,
wipe it up. The chemicals can be really slippery when stepped in. They may
also stain your clothes, so dress accordingly or bring in an apron to wear.

Equipment and supplies:
The student will need:
1.) A 35 mm camera that can be used with full manual controls. (Bring the
instruction manual if you have it.)
2.) About 12-15 rolls of black and white film. This will be a combination of
Ilford XP-2 Super and Kodak Tri-X films.
3.) Photographic paper. Either Kodak Polycontrast RC glossy surface or
Ilford Multigrade RC glossy surface.
4.) Mounting board and tissue: At least 8 - 11x14 mounting boards.
5.) 35mm negative sleeves.
6.) Aerosol can of dust-off and/or an anti static brush or cloth for
removing dust from your negatives.
7.) A magnifying loupe for editing your negatives.
8.) Spottone and a fine (i.e. 000 sable) brush for touching up your prints.
9.) A gray card
10) Some other minor odds and ends (wire, cardboard and manila envelopes)
that we will discuss in class.
11.) An apron and a hand towel to help preserve your clothing and to keep
your hands dry.

Required Text: “A Short Course in Photography” By Barbara London and Jim
Stone. This book is available in the COD Bookstore.

Other suggested readings:
“Photography” by Barbara London and John Upton
“The Photographers Handbook” by John Hedgecoe
“Photography” by Bruce Warren
“The Tao of Photography” by Tom Ang
“Zen in the Art of Archery” by Eugen Herrigel
“Flow” by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
“The Camera”, “The Negative”, “The Print” by Ansel Adams
“The Daybooks of Edward Weston”


Tentative Schedule: Things may be adjusted and moved, as the needs of the
class and construction in the lab require.

Week 1: Jan. 8
Introductions, course overview, syllabus review, assignments and grading
etc… Tour of the photo department.
Read chapters: 1, 2,3 & 4 in your textbook for next class
Jan. 10
Camera basics and an introduction to exposure.
Bring your camera to class!!!

Week 2: Jan. 15 & Jan. 17
Film and photographic paper; types, characteristics and construction.
Darkroom safety and procedures.
Demonstration of making a photogram

Week 3: Jan. 22 (Lab)
Jan. 24
Hand in photogram assignment
Printing demonstration and lecture

Week 4: Jan. 29 (Lab)
Printing demonstration continued
Jan. 31
Hand in selective focus/depth of field project
Proper exposure of your images, evaluating your negatives.

Week 5: Feb. 5 (Lab)
Feb. 7
Hand in motion study project
Development of traditional, silver-based film.
Review for mid-term exam

Week 6: Feb. 12 (Lab)
Feb. 14
Hand in point of view project
Mid-term exam
Photographic vision, composition and just what it is that makes a photograph
interesting to look at.
Use of filters in photography.






Week 7: Feb. 19 (Lab)
Feb. 21
Color photography
Lighting; found, flash and ambient

Week 8: Feb. 26 (Lab)
Feb. 28
Digital imaging.

Week 9: March 5 (Lab)
March 7
Mounting matting and spot toning; making a good presentation of your work.

Week10: March 12 (Lab)
March 14 (Lab)
Last scheduled day to work on your final projects.

Week 11: March 19
Final projects are due today. Take your final test and have a group
critique of your final images.

March 21
Individual critiques to be scheduled, hand out final grades. Go home and
enjoy a whole week of spring break.



















Assignments:

Week 1) Get all of your equipment together, camera, film, paper etc. begin
reading your textbook, esp. chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4

Week 2)
Make a photogram using two and three-dimensional objects to create patterns
and shadows on photographic paper.
Also: Shoot one roll of Ilford XP2 film of any subject matter that you
choose using the metering techniques that you learned in class. Have this
film commercially developed and ready for class on 1/22.
Assignment due: 1/24

Week 3)
Use depth of field or selective focus to separate your subject from its
surroundings or background. Film: Ilford XP2
Assignment due: 1/31

Week 4)
Photograph motion. Freeze your subject or accentuate its movement through
your camera. Film: Ilford XP2
Assignment due: 2/7

Week 5)
Photograph what most people don’t see. Get under, over, inside or behind
something to show a different point of view or new twist on an old theme.
Film: Kodak Tri-X
Assignment due: 2/14

Week 6)
Photograph interesting subject matter with repeating patterns such as arched
windows in an old church or rows of chairs or… well, you get the idea. Film:
Kodak Tri-X
Assignment due: 2/21

Week 7)
Portrait time; use what you have learned in class to create either a formal
or an informal portrait
Film: Kodak Tri-X
Assignment due: 2/28



Week8)
Tell a story; communicate an idea or a concept with your photograph. Get
your message across with a single image.
Film: Kodak Tri-X
Assignment due: 3/7

Week 9)
Work on your final project and practice mounting matting and spot toning
your prints.

Week 10)
Work on final project.

Week 11)
Last week of class, final projects are due.

Final project
For your last assignment you may choose any subject matter you wish. This
assignment must have interesting subject matter, excellent compositional
skills, correct density and a full tonal range must be present. Try to keep
all of your images for this final project on the same theme or subject. The
prints must be clean of all dust. My judgment on these prints will be very
critical. 6 prints, mounted. Film: Kodak Tri-X
Due Tuesday, 3/19