Title: Major Activities:
Author: Art Department
Last saved by: JOSEPH P YUTKINS
Company: Middle School

MASCONOMET REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Name: Photography 1							Department: Art
Course Number:  7901								Grade Levels: 9-12
Length of Course: Semester

Course Description:

Photography 1 is a course designed to introduce students to the photographic process through the use of the 35mm film camera and the traditional darkroom with its chemical processes. A sequence of assignments will be utilized to introduce both technical as well as aesthetic problems.  The critiquing process will be introduced, and practiced frequently. The history of photography, as well as some of the pioneers of that relatively short history will be introduced into the projects as appropriate.

Central Objectives:

Students will:
•	Gain a working knowledge of the camera, including all of its parts and functions.
•	Learn, understand, and use exposure theory, depth of field, selective shutter speeds, exposure bracketing, and the use of studio lighting and equipment.
•	Become proficient in wet darkroom processes, including film development, silver gelatin printing, local exposure control, contrast control, spot toning, and dry mounting final pieces.
•	Learn to recognize, and then create, technically correct black and white prints, while practicing introduced design concepts to infuse work with visual and conceptual structure.
•	Continually reflect to effectively visual problems .
•	Familiarize themselves with the works of historical/contemporary photographers as appropriate.

Major Activities:

Each student will photograph, develop, and print a series of projects which address the specific guidelines contained in the Massachusetts Visual Arts Curriculum Frameworks and the Masconomet Art Department’s list of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. Some projects will explore individual frameworks objectives, while others will address multiple objectives. Major units in the following areas will be explored:

Understanding the Camera:
•	Learn the names of all of the parts of the camera.
•	Gain a working knowledge of all of the major parts and functions of the camera.
•	Understand and be able to use the internal exposure metering system of the camera, and be able to demonstrate the ability to find multiple correct exposures under a variety of lighting conditions.

Vocabulary: camera body, camera back, shutter, shutter button, shutter speed, shutter speed dial, film speed, film speed dial, advance crank, film rewind crank, film rewind button, self-timer, lens, lens cap, f-stop, f-stop ring, aperture, zoom ring, focus, focus ring, mirror, prism, eyepiece, exposure worksheet. 

Darkroom Processes:
•	Learn to set up, break down, and test all darkroom chemistry. 
•	Learn and practice darkroom safety, including “darkroom manners”.
•	Learn the names of all equipment used in the darkroom.
•	Gain a working knowledge of the functions of all equipment used in the darkroom.
•	Gain a working knowledge of the chemical sequences, including the processing of photographic paper from the box to the print dryer.

Vocabulary: white lights, safe lights, enlarging stations, enlarger (head, mouth, height crank, height crank lock, contrast dial, lens, lens board), timer (on/off switch, seconds/tenths switch, time/focus switch, time dials, expose button), developer, stop bath, fixer, water wash, tongs, trays, drip tray, print dryer.

Film Development:
•	Learn and master all skills necessary to prepare film for development.
•	Learn, understand, and practice proper use of all chemicals involved in film development.
•	Establish consistent routine in film development procedures to prevent and troubleshoot inconsistencies in this process.

Vocabulary: film, emulsion, film canister, film canister opener, film reel, center column, developing tank, funnel cover, thermometer, time/temperature conversion chart, film developer, stop bath, film fixer, fixer remover, water wash, photo flo, film dryer.

Printing from Film:
•	Learn all processes involved in printing from developed negatives.
•	Gain skills in testing, judging, recalculating, then retesting exposure and contrast of prints.
•	Gain ability to complete final print containing proper exposure, contrast, and focus.

Vocabulary: negatives, filing pages, bonder, photographic paper, contact sheet, print, test strip, contrast, negative carrier, paper easel, grain focuser, final print, borders.

Finishing and Presentation:
•	Learn the names of all equipment used in the finishing process.
•	Learn, understand, and demonstrate proficiency with processes involved in preparing final photographs for presentation and display.

Vocabulary: paper trimmer, paper cutter, matboard, matboard cutter, X-acto knife, dry mounting, dry mount press, dry mount tissue, tacking iron, window matting, t-square, spot tone, film cleaner, pec pads, photo wipes.

Lens Free Photography:
•	Learn and understand the concept of pinhole photography.
•	Deepen understanding of the traditional film camera through deconstructive process of creating the basic pinhole camera. 
•	Design, construct, and use a pinhole camera to create a series of images.

Vocabulary: lens free photography, pinhole camera, minimal f-stop range (f32, f45, f64, f128, f256, f512), focal length, paper negative, contact paper printing, negative/positive juxtaposition, reciprocity factor.   

Shooting for Emphasis:
•	Become familiar with Masconomet Art Departments list of Elements of Art and Principals of Design, and gain ability to incorporate them into photographs. 
•	Gain ability to discuss photographs not only in regards to technical correctness, but also in terms of aesthetic visual characteristics. 

Vocabulary: emphasis, in-camera cropping, composition, elements of art and principles of design, depth of field. 

Studio Lighting:
•	Learn, understand, and demonstrate the ability to use and control tungsten-based studio lighting.
•	Gain ability to individually set-up, operate, then take down studio equipment, performing a photo shoot to completion.
•	Gain ability to manage all people involved in a portrait shoot. 

Vocabulary: studio lighting, main light, fill light, gobo, flag, umbrella, reflector card, portrait, self-portrait, multi-person compositional portrait.

Photographing from Nature:
•	Learn to work with various available light conditions. 
•	Use selective composition and focus to create illusions in scale and context.

Vocabulary: large format photography, view camera, bellows, perspective control, sheet film, cable release, zone system, available light, selective composition, selective focus. 

Behavioral Expectations:

The students will:
•	be on time to class.
•	be expected to put forth their best effort.
•	respect that the art room is a shared, cooperative space. You will be expected to show an ability to use, control, and
    clean up all tools and materials properly and safely.
•	assume responsibility to make up work due to absence.
•	come to class prepared to work.
•	receive a conduct grade that is reflective of their level of cooperation, behavior, attentiveness, alertness, interest and
    level of consistent participation in all classroom activities.

Student Evaluation:

Teachers will use the aforementioned criteria in combination with rubrics and/or performance checklists to arrive at a letter grade for each student.  Grades in Art 7 are as follows: 

A   The student mastered all the course objectives with an outstanding level of proficiency.
B   The student mastered all of the course objectives with a commendable level of proficiency.
C   The student mastered a sufficient number of the course objectives with a reasonable level of 				proficiency.
D   The student mastered the minimum number of course objectives.
F   The student failed to accomplish the minimum required course objectives.

(Pluses and minuses will also be awarded.)

Text and Materials:

Relevant handouts will be provided as appropriate.

Methodology:

•	Investigations: Students will be exposed to a variety of methods, materials and processes that will be used to uniquely solve visual problems.
•	Lectures: Lectures will be used to introduce new art problems, elements, techniques, media, artists, etc.
•	Discussions: We will have individual and small group discussions, (critiques) of work in progress. You will be expected to take part in these discussions and to use proper art vocabulary terms. You will reflect upon your work and will have the opportunity to make adjustments as needed.
•	Visual aides: Charts, samples, books, photos, websites, slides etc., will be used to motivate students and to strengthen their understanding of art elements, techniques, concepts, etc.
•	Demonstrations: Demonstrations will be used to safely introduce new methods, materials and processes as needed.