Course Syllabus
Photo 1

Department: Fine Arts
Course Title: Photography I
Level: College Prep

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Prerequisite: none
Open to: All
Length: Year
Credit: 1 credit
Summary
Photography 1 is designed to acquaint the student with basic camera operations, darkroom procedures,and processing techniques for black and white film. Students develop and print their own negatives in this class. The aesthetics of the photographic image as an art form will be introduced. Other imaging techniques and manipulations including collage, hand coloring, and electronic imaging, etc.  will be introduced in this class. Photog requires organization skills because three or more activities are done concurrently.
Additional out-of-class work is assigned. All make-up work requires after school lab attendance.
Special Note: The student is expected to obtain a 35mm, adjustable SLR camera. Additional supplies are needed at the student's expense.

TEXTBOOKS and MATERIALS
Text: Photography by London and Upton
Every student pays a lab fee, which covers the use of enlargers, darkroom equipment, film and the necessary chemistry to process and print the film.
The student, however, is expected to furnish some supplies:
   *Kodak Multicontrast III RC (or Ilford Multigrade RC) 5x7 Photographic Paper - Start with a box of 100 sheets. Available at the H-FBookstore. (Individuals use varying amounts throughout the year, but average use is 3 boxes. DO NOT OPEN THIS BOX! 
   *35mm film cartridges - Buy two or more to hold the film that you will bulk load in class. These are also available at theH-F Bookstore.
   *35mm film storage sheets - These are clear plastic pages for storing negatives. (at bookstore)
   *3-ring Binder Notebook - For storing negatives, photos, notes, gradesand assignments. Available at H-F Bookstore or local stores. (Need immediately)
Optional items that you might want to purchase if your budget allows:
   *Plastic storage sheets to accommodate 5x7 prints (H-F bookstore has these)

Note: Plastic aprons are available for use in the classroom if you wish to protect your clothing. In addition, plastic goggles are available at the bookstore if you wish to protect your eyes when using chemicals. Chemicals are dangerous if splashed in eyes, and care must be taken when dealing with chemicals.
Each student will be supplied with one roll per assignment. If this roll is ruined, or if you wish to take more pictures, you must supply your own film. (B&W film is usually only available at camera stores.)
Buy:
lford HP5 B&W 400 ASA 35mm film;
Kodak B&W TMax 400 ASA 35mm film; or
Kodak B&W Tri-X 400 ASA 35mm film.
DO NOT purchase Kodak T400CN (process C-41) film as we cannot process this film in the classroom.
Students will share locked storage compartments with a partner. All supplies, including the textbook, may be stored in the storage locker in the classroom. It is each student's responsibility to lock up their storage compartment at the end of each class period. Also, all personal equipment should be labelled with the student’s name.
Most supplies are also available at many camera stores. Some in this area include:
Wolf Camera (located in Orland Park and Lansing)
(Most camera stores give student discounts. Ask at the store.)

ABBREVIATED COURSE OUTLINE
First Semester Initially, we will begin using the text: Photography by London and Upton. We will cover most chapters by first reading the text, followed by lectures, worksheets, demonstrations, and/or projects. Quizzes will be given on the information in the text.
We will begin with a photogram design project. Students will then build their own simple pinhole camera from a food container. We will then cover the parts of a camera and do a number of shooting projects designed to increase the student's understanding of camera techniques, printing techniques, and artistic content.
As we progress, we will split into two groups. While one group is reading the text, completing a worksheet, or taking a quiz, the other group will be in the darkroom.
Second Semester Students will continue working on traditional darkroom projects. Eventually students will also scan their photographs and manipulate them on the computers in our room to complete some digital photography assignments .

HOMEWORK
Students will be given shooting assignments about once every week or so. The student is responsible for shooting pictures at home (or a location of their choice) as homework. No other homework is regularly assigned. Students may have to finish reading assignments at home to make up for work not completed in class.
Note: If the student is in attendance every day, and is prepared for class, there is adequate time to complete all darkroom work. Since there are seven photo classes running all day long, makeups are difficult. There is one after-school day of open darkroom time, and it is on a first-come, first-served basis. Students that fall behind may have a difficult time catching up.

GRADING
Note: Students and parents should know that grades are posted by ID in the classroom. Parents are invited to email requests for progress reports at any time.
Philosophy  The photography student is expected to complete all printing and processing work in HF's darkroom. Work done outside of the class will not be accepted for a grade. If the student needs more lab time due to an excused absence, only limited after-school time on pre-arranged dates will be available. Assigned darkroom time that is not used because the student is unprepared for the assignment or because the student was kept out of the darkroom for disruptive behavior or for any other negligence, will not be allowed to be made up. Being prepared and organized is the key to success in this class. All work is due on the assigned dates. Late assignments will only be accepted on the following basis:
1) Student was absent (excused) from a lab on the day before a project was due and work was up-to date at that time.
2) Student was absent (excused) for several lab days and requested an extension.
Photography class involves the use of many pieces of expensive equipment. Use of these facilities is a privilege and will be treated as such. Students are liable for any damage to school equipment. A security letter with a parent signature will be retained on file. Also, work completed for school assignments may be retained by the art department as part of a student work collection.
Criteria and Scale
Grades for this class are derived on a point basis. Points are given for worksheets, projects and tests, etc. Points earned by a student are recorded in the teacher's gradebook. At the end of each grading period, all total possible points for that quarter are added up and computed as follows:
90 to 100% = A
80 to 89% = B
70 to 79% = C
60 to 69% = D
0 to 59% = F

Each quarter counts 2/5ths of the semester grade, with the exam counting 1/5th.
All photographic projects handed in must be accompanied by a contact sheet, negatives and camera log, or the project will not be accepted. The contact sheet will also be used in the evaluation of the project. Most print projects are worth 100 points, distributed among the following criteria:
25 points for Exposure
25 points for Composition
25 points for Creativity/Aesthetics
25 points for Technique
Since participation in the critiques is part of your learning experience, projects that are not hung up on the bulletin board at the beginning of the critique period will be considered late and a 10% penalty will apply.
Additional points will be given for worksheets, quizzes, etc. Negatives and camera log will also be turned in for points when each roll is due to be processed.

(Parents and students: please consult individual teachers for grading policies, extra credit info, class procedures, etc.)