Photo 250 - Contemporary Photographic Expression

Please hand in your assignments together with proof sheets, and the appropriate assignment description sheet with your name on it.

Unless your exposure was dramatically off, the contact sheets (also known as proof sheets) should be made using the shortest exposure possible in order to get the clear part of the film (known as "film base plus fog") to print black. If you are working digitally, make digital contact sheets in Photoshop.

Please note: Poorly done redos will not improve your grade. However, you may redo the assignments more than once.

Learning Outcome
Students will create projects based on techniques and concepts discussed and demonstrated in class. Students will critique projects based on a rubric of standards developed in class.

Appendix A

Participation (10% of grade)

Attendance: The participation grade will be reduced a grade for every unexcused absence.
A = 0 unexcused absences
A- = 1
B+ = 2
B = 3
B- = 4
C+ = 5
C = 6
Unexcused absences in excess of 6 will cause the student to be dropped from the course.

Reading Assignments The participation grade will be reduced 1⁄2 a grade for every reading assignment the student fails to complete on time.

Critique
Participation is required.

Courtesy and darkroom etiquette shall also be considered as part of the participation grade.

Cerritos College Photo 150 - Contemporary Photographic Expression Syllabus Spring 2009 Teacher: Ed Heckerman Room: FA 40 Office: FA 64B class hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00 - 7:00 office hours: Wednesdays 10:00 - 11:00, Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:00 - 4:00 office phone: (562) 860-2451 x2605 http://www.cerritos.edu/eheckerman/ Catalog Course Description: This course is an in-depth study of the use of visual language for contemporary photographic expression. Imagery is stressed, with process used as a tool for achieving a particular expression. Students will explore photographic genres, as well as discover the uniqueness of their own approach through the creation of a personal body of work. Lab Fee: $ 12.50 Attendance Three tardy arrivals are equivalent to one absence. Any student with more than six unexcused absences, including lab days, will be dropped. Absences due to illness, family emergencies, jury duty, and religious holidays will be excused unless excessive only if it is feasible for the student to make up the lost time. It is the student's responsibility to notify the instructor promptly of the expected dates of predictable excused absences. Also, if a student arrives fifteen or more minutes late, or leaves class early without requesting to do so for whatever reason, they will receive a half-absence. If a student does not work on lab days they will be marked absent even if physically present. Grading and Withdrawal Criteria: The following factors will influence the final grade: a. Participation (10%) See Appendix A at the end of this document. b. Excellence and punctuality of assignments. (90%) - Each assignment should be handed in together with proof sheets and assignment description sheet. - Late assignments will receive one full reduced letter grade. The grade will be further reduced 1/2 a grade each week thereafter. - All assignments except the final project may be redone numerous times after the due date for a higher grade, but late assignments will not receive an "A" unless the student's absence on the due date was excused. For additional information on attendance and grading see the Cerritos College Class Schedule. Plagarism Statement Representing the ideas of another as one's own is not acceptable. Classroom Conduct Please turn off your cell phone. Do not cause disturbances in class. Please do not chat while the teacher is lecturing and during class discussions and critiques. Make an effort to be courteous to the teacher and remain vertical during all classroom activities. Do not take extra long breaks. Please do not come to class under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol. Darkroom Conduct Please do not handle other student's work unless unavoidable. If you must touch another student's prints or negatives please handle them as if they were your own. Be careful to recycle the appropriate chemicals (stop bath, fixer, hypo clearing agent) when developing film. Always thoroughly wash all beakers and return all checked-out equipment clean and dry when finished. Be sure not to mix up the tongs in the darkroom trays, otherwise the next student's print will be contaminated. You will be responsible for washing and drying your own prints. If you are unsure what to do regarding any darkroom activity or cleanup procedure, ask the teacher without hesitation. Special Needs / Disabilities If you think you will require any special assistance please contact the Disabled Persons Programs and Services (562) 860-24511 x2333 (DSPS) office on campus immediately and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Materials Needed - camera with manual exposure possibilities - black and white fiber-base enlarging paper or archival inkjet paper Darkroom chemistry, film development hardware, and ink in the digital lab will be supplied by the school. Professional camera stores (a selection): - Samy’s Camera, 4411 Sepulveda Blvd. Culver City, (310) 450-4551 - Samy's Camera, 431 Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 938-2420 - Bel Air Camera, 10925 Kinross Ave. at Gayley in Westwood Village, (310) 208-5150 - Calumet, 1135 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood, CA (213) 466-1238 - Calumet, 1430 S. Village Way, Suite A, Santa Ana, (714) 285-0143 - Freestyle, 5124 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 660-3460 - Freestyle Catalog Quick Order Counter 12231 Florence Ave. Santa Fe Springs, (800) 292-6137 Class Calendar This calendar is subject to alteration, additions, and omissions at the teacher’s discretion, including due dates for assignments. If you were absent the previous session make sure to check http://www.cerritos.edu/eheckerman/ (click on "teaching" link) for updates and revisions to the calendar. In the event that we should find ourselves ahead of schedule, a field trip to a gallery or museum housing a photo exhibition may be arranged. Please always bring film to be developed, and negatives or digital files to be printed on non-lab days in case the lecture or critique ends early. Otherwise, bring in your camera so that you can use the time to take photographs. 1. 1/13/09 Review of syllabus / materials needed for class Lecture: The Overlapping Discourses of Photographic Practice Assignment #5 explained Student Presentations Scheduled 2. 1/15/09 Student Presentation #1 Slide / DVD Lecture: The Snapshot Aesthetic Assignment # 1 explained 3. 1/20/09 Student Presentation #2 Lecture / Discussion: Professional Possibilities Assignment #2 explained 4. 1/22/09 Student Presentation #3 Slide Lecture / Discussion: Fine Art Photography (old school) Assignment #3 explained 5. 1/27/09 Student Presentation #4 Lab 6. 1/29/09 Student Presentation #5 Lab 7. 2/3/09 Student Presentation #6 Critique of Assignment #1 8. 2/5/09 Student Presentation #7 Slide / DVD Lecture / Discussion: Photo-Based Art (new school) Assignment #4 explained 9. 2/10/09 Student Presentation #8 Lab 10. 2/12/09 Student Presentation #9 Lab 11. 2/17/09 Student Presentation #10 Lab 12. 2/19/09 Student Presentation #11 Critique of Assignment #2 13. 2/22/09 Student Presentation #12 Lab 14. 2/26/09 Student Presentation #13 Lab 15. 3/3/09 Student Presentation #14 Lab 16. 3/5/09 Student Presentation #15 Critique of Assignment #3 17. 3/10/09 Student Presentation #16 Lab 18. 3/12/09 Student Presentation #17 Lab 19. 3/17/09 Student Presentation #18 Lab 20. 3/19/09 Student Presentation #19 Critique of Assignment #4 Assignment #5 and #7 explained 21. 3/24/09 Student Presentation #20 Lab 22. 3/26/09 Student Presentation #21 Lab 24. 4/2/09 Student Presentation #22 Lab Spring Recess 25. 4/14/09 Student Presentation #23 Individual student meetings with instructor Lab 26. 4/16/09 Student Presentation #24 Individual student meetings with instructor Lab 27. 4/21/09 Student Presentation #25 Discussion of Exhibition Reviews Lab 28. 4/23/09 Individual student meetings with instructor Lab 29. 4/28/09 Individual student meetings with instructor Lab 30. 4/30/09 Final due date for all redos and late assignments Lab 31. 5/5/09 Lab 32. 5/7/09 Lab 31. 5/12/09 Critique of Assignment #7 32. 5/14/09 Critique of Assignment #7 continued 33. 5/21/09 Pick-up Final Project Review class Grades Assignments Enough darkroom time will be provided to complete all assignments during class time. However, a considerable amount of extra time outside of class hours will be required to successfully take photographs and complete the reading necessary to actively participate in class discussions. Do not use old work. New images must be generated for each assignment. (See individual assignment sheets for descriptions, related reading, objectives, suggestions, and evaluation criteria.) Percentages do not include participation (10%) 1. The Snapshot Aesthetic (10%) 2. Job (10%) 3. Fine Art Photograph (10%) 4. Photo-Based Art (10%) 5. Presentation of Influences (10%) 6. Exhibition Review (10%) 7. Final Project - Future Trajectory (30%) Please hand in your assignments together with proof sheets, and the appropriate assignment description sheet with your name on it. Unless your exposure was dramatically off, the contact sheets (also known as proof sheets) should be made using the shortest exposure possible in order to get the clear part of the film (known as "film base plus fog") to print black. If you are working digitally, make digital contact sheets in Photoshop. Please note: Poorly done redos will not improve your grade. However, you may redo the assignments more than once. Learning Outcome Students will create projects based on techniques and concepts discussed and demonstrated in class. Students will critique projects based on a rubric of standards developed in class. Appendix A Participation (10% of grade) Attendance: The participation grade will be reduced a grade for every unexcused absence. A = 0 unexcused absences A- = 1 B+ = 2 B = 3 B- = 4 C+ = 5 C = 6 Unexcused absences in excess of 6 will cause the student to be dropped from the course. Reading Assignments The participation grade will be reduced 1⁄2 a grade for every reading assignment the student fails to complete on time. Critique Participation is required. Courtesy and darkroom etiquette shall also be considered as part of the participation grade. HOME TEACHING