Photo 230- Portrait Photography

Cerritos College
Photo 230 - Portrait Photography Syllabus
Fall , 2009
Teacher: Ed Heckerman
Room: FA 40
Office: FA 64A
class hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 4:00 - 7:00 PM
office hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 3:00 - 4:00, and Tuesdays 10:00 - 11:00
office phone: (562) 860-2451 x2603

Detailed Course Description:
This is a course in the theory and practice of portraiture. Lectures present lighting and contemporary retouching techniques for professional studio photographers. Topics also include self-portraiture, extended environmental portraiture, typological portraits, narrative, documentary portraiture, candid camera, the snapshot aesthetic, figurative portraiture, directorial portraiture, and fashion. Issues regarding idolatry, gender and sexuality, "the gaze," ethics, exploitation, and legal questions will be explored. For most of the assignments the student will have the choice to either work in the traditional black and white darkroom, or work digitally.

Lab Fee: $ 15.00

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. Workbook (10%) including an open book test. See Appendix B at the end of this document
a. Participation (10%) See Appendix A at the end of this document.
b. Excellence and punctuality of assignments. (80%)
- 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.

1. The Self-Portrait (10%)
2. The Studio Portrait (10%)
3. The Casual Portrait (10%)
4. The Documentary Portrait (20%)
5. The Extended Portrait (20%)
6. The Final Project (10%)

For additional information on attendance and grading see the Cerritos College Class Schedule.

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. Wash and dry your own fiber-based prints. The lab tech will wash and dry your RC proofs and prints for you. 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
Required:
- camera with manual exposure possibilities
- 4 x 5 inch black and white film
- 11 x 14 inch black and white fiber-base enlarging paper. Recommended papers are:
Illford, Foma, Oriental Arista EDU Ultra, and Arista EDU Classic
(archival inkjet paper is acceptable for specific assignments)
- Dodging wand and burning board (make your own)
- Negative notebook
- Negative sleeves
- conservation board
- thermometer
- scissors
- can opener
er- 11 x 14 dry mounting tissue for fiber-base paper
Optional:
- color film
- Polyethylene or polypropylene storage bags
- Gray card
- Compressed air and/or blower brush (for removing dust from negatives)
- Darkroom apron
- Gloves
- Towel
- 11 x 14 inch blotter book (for drying prints)

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, 585 Venice Blvd., Venice, (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

Camera Repair:
Steve's Camera Service Center, 4355 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, (310) 397-0072
Lenor's Camera Repair, 571 S. Fairfax Ave. Los Angeles, (323) 936-0894

Class Calendar
This calendar is subject to alteration, additions, and omissions at the teacher’s discretion, including due dates for assignments. If absent the previous session make sure to check 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 or negatives and 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. 8/17/09
Review of syllabus / materials needed for class
Discussion: What is portrait photography? What are your portraiture goals?
Lecture: The Self-Portrait
Assignment #1 explained
Homework: read the handout by Herve Guibert. Bring to class one quote from each essay you agree with, and one quote you either disagree with or don’t understand. Please write the quotes on a piece of paper with your name on it.

2. 8/19/09
Discussion of reading homework
Lecture: An introduction to studio terms; light, lighting, and light ratios
Homework: study the handouts on studio terms, light, and lighting. Prepare a list of any questions you need clarified.

3. 8/24/09
Demo: How to set up and use studio lighting equipment
Lecture: Classic studio lighting strategies for formal portraiture
Assignment # 2 explained

4. 8/26/09
Lecture: The Casual Portrait
Assignment #3 explained

5.8/31/09
Lab / Studio

6. 9/2/09
Lab / Studio

School closed 9/7/09 for Labor Day

7. 9/9/09
Lab / Studio

8. 9/14/09
Critique of Assignment #1

9. 9/16/09
Lab / Studio

10. 9/21/09
Lecture and Discussion: The Varieties of Documentary Portraiture
Assignment #4 explained
Homework: read handout by Max Kozloff. Bring to class one quote you agree with, and one quote you either disagree with or don’t understand. Please write the quotes on a piece of paper with your name on it.

11. 9/23/09
Lab / Studio

12. 9/28/09
Lab / Studio

13. 9/30/09
Lecture and Discussion: The Varieties of Documentary Portraiture (continued)
DVD: The Jews of Greece by Morrie Camhi
Homework: read the selections from the reader by Italo Calvino and Terry Barrett. Bring to class one quote from each selection you agree with, and one quote you either disagree with or don’t understand. Please write the quotes on a piece of paper with your name on it.
Lab

14. 10/5/09
Lab / Studio

15. 10/7/09
Critique of Assignment #3

16. 10/12/09
Lab / Studio

17. 10/14/09
Lecture: The Extended Portrait
Assignment #5 explained

18. 10/19/09
Special Guest: to be announced

19. 10/21/09
Lab / Studio

20. 10/26/09
Lab / Studio

21. 10/28/09
Critique of Assignment #4

22. 11/2/09
Lab / Studio

23. 11/4/09
Lecture: The Snapshot Aesthetic in Contemporary Photography
Lecture: The Clinical Portrait Aesthetic
Demo: Digital Portrait Retouching
Assignment #6 explained
Homework: read the handout on the Cameron Diaz vs. John Rutter case. Formulate an opinion on the matter for class discussion.

24. 11/9/09
Lab / Studio

25. 11/11/09
Lab / Studio

26. 11/16/09
Lecture and Discussion of Reading: The Celebrity Portrait: From Dignity to Audacity, the Uses and Abuses of Desire and Portraiture
DVD: Blow Up (excerpts)
DVD: Girl With A Pearl Earring (excerpts)
Video: Ways of Seeing (On Women) by John Berger / BBC

27. 11/18/09
Critique of Assignment #5

28.11/23/09
Lab

29. 11/25/09
Critique of Assignment #2 (no redo)
Deadline to hand in redo assignments

Thanksgiving Break

30. 11/30/09
Lab

31. 12/2/09
Minimum of two proof sheets for final project to be reviewed by teacher in individual meetings
Lab

32. 12/7/09
Lab

33. 12/9/09
Critique of Final Projects (no redo)

34. 12/16/09
Final Exam
Pick-up Final Project

Assignments
Enough lab and studio time will be provided to complete all assignments during class hours. However, a considerable amount of extra time outside of class 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.)

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

Extra Credit Assignments (optional)

1. Additional Studio Portraits
Try different classic lighting scenarios than the one chosen to be used for assignment #2. Possibilities include: side lighting; butterfly lighting; Rembrandt lighting, etc. This assignment may be completed in black and white with either fiber-based or RC paper, or it may be done in color and outputted digitally. In the latter case, the student must provide both a print and the unflattened digital file on a CD. This file must have a retouching layer, dodging and burning layer, color balance layer, and a levels or curves layer, etc. If you do not have considerable experience with Photoshop do not attempt to do this assignment in color.

2. Fashion
Make one or more black and white or color prints from this genre. (See details regarding color work above.)

3. Figurative Photography
Make one or more black and white or color prints from this genre. (See details regarding color work above.)

4. Narrative and Staged Portraiture
Make one or more black and white or color prints from this genre. (See details regarding color work above.)

5. Exhibition Review
View an exhibition space currently housing a show with photographs. Write a one to two page review. This piece of writing should demonstrate that not only have you observed the exhibition, but also considered the works personal, cultural, and social import. Engage in the following four activities: describing, interpreting, evaluating, and theorizing, with the goal of increasing appreciation and understanding of the works in question.

Please note: poorly done extra credit assignments will not improve your grade.

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.

Appendix B

Workbook (10% of grade)

This includes reflections on the assignments; notes from critique; lecture notes; and reading assignments. Additionally, the workbook contains questions (an open book test) to be answered. Please organize the workbook meticulously. Neglecting to include any of the material listed above will result in a reduced grade.

Learning Outcome

A. 70% of the students will pass with 70% or above an workbook exam on issues and techniques involving portraiture.

B. 70% of the students will become proficient in the operation of studio lighting equipment for professional portraiture.

C. 70% of the students will complete a portfolio of portrait photography compiled of relavent assignments and a final project.

	Cerritos College Photo 230 - Portrait Photography Syllabus Fall , 2009 Teacher: Ed Heckerman Room: FA 40 Office: FA 64A class hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 4:00 - 7:00 PM office hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 3:00 - 4:00, and Tuesdays 10:00 - 11:00 office phone: (562) 860-2451 x2603 Detailed Course Description: This is a course in the theory and practice of portraiture. Lectures present lighting and contemporary retouching techniques for professional studio photographers. Topics also include self-portraiture, extended environmental portraiture, typological portraits, narrative, documentary portraiture, candid camera, the snapshot aesthetic, figurative portraiture, directorial portraiture, and fashion. Issues regarding idolatry, gender and sexuality, "the gaze," ethics, exploitation, and legal questions will be explored. For most of the assignments the student will have the choice to either work in the traditional black and white darkroom, or work digitally. Lab Fee: $ 15.00 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. Workbook (10%) including an open book test. See Appendix B at the end of this document a. Participation (10%) See Appendix A at the end of this document. b. Excellence and punctuality of assignments. (80%) - 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. 1. The Self-Portrait (10%) 2. The Studio Portrait (10%) 3. The Casual Portrait (10%) 4. The Documentary Portrait (20%) 5. The Extended Portrait (20%) 6. The Final Project (10%) For additional information on attendance and grading see the Cerritos College Class Schedule. 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. Wash and dry your own fiber-based prints. The lab tech will wash and dry your RC proofs and prints for you. 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 Required: - camera with manual exposure possibilities - 4 x 5 inch black and white film - 11 x 14 inch black and white fiber-base enlarging paper. Recommended papers are: Illford, Foma, Oriental Arista EDU Ultra, and Arista EDU Classic (archival inkjet paper is acceptable for specific assignments) - Dodging wand and burning board (make your own) - Negative notebook - Negative sleeves - conservation board - thermometer - scissors - can opener er- 11 x 14 dry mounting tissue for fiber-base paper Optional: - color film - Polyethylene or polypropylene storage bags - Gray card - Compressed air and/or blower brush (for removing dust from negatives) - Darkroom apron - Gloves - Towel - 11 x 14 inch blotter book (for drying prints) 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, 585 Venice Blvd., Venice, (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 Camera Repair: Steve's Camera Service Center, 4355 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, (310) 397-0072 Lenor's Camera Repair, 571 S. Fairfax Ave. Los Angeles, (323) 936-0894 Class Calendar This calendar is subject to alteration, additions, and omissions at the teacher’s discretion, including due dates for assignments. If absent the previous session make sure to check 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 or negatives and 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. 8/17/09 Review of syllabus / materials needed for class Discussion: What is portrait photography? What are your portraiture goals? Lecture: The Self-Portrait Assignment #1 explained Homework: read the handout by Herve Guibert. Bring to class one quote from each essay you agree with, and one quote you either disagree with or don’t understand. Please write the quotes on a piece of paper with your name on it. 2. 8/19/09 Discussion of reading homework Lecture: An introduction to studio terms; light, lighting, and light ratios Homework: study the handouts on studio terms, light, and lighting. Prepare a list of any questions you need clarified. 3. 8/24/09 Demo: How to set up and use studio lighting equipment Lecture: Classic studio lighting strategies for formal portraiture Assignment # 2 explained 4. 8/26/09 Lecture: The Casual Portrait Assignment #3 explained 5.8/31/09 Lab / Studio 6. 9/2/09 Lab / Studio School closed 9/7/09 for Labor Day 7. 9/9/09 Lab / Studio 8. 9/14/09 Critique of Assignment #1 9. 9/16/09 Lab / Studio 10. 9/21/09 Lecture and Discussion: The Varieties of Documentary Portraiture Assignment #4 explained Homework: read handout by Max Kozloff. Bring to class one quote you agree with, and one quote you either disagree with or don’t understand. Please write the quotes on a piece of paper with your name on it. 11. 9/23/09 Lab / Studio 12. 9/28/09 Lab / Studio 13. 9/30/09 Lecture and Discussion: The Varieties of Documentary Portraiture (continued) DVD: The Jews of Greece by Morrie Camhi Homework: read the selections from the reader by Italo Calvino and Terry Barrett. Bring to class one quote from each selection you agree with, and one quote you either disagree with or don’t understand. Please write the quotes on a piece of paper with your name on it. Lab 14. 10/5/09 Lab / Studio 15. 10/7/09 Critique of Assignment #3 16. 10/12/09 Lab / Studio 17. 10/14/09 Lecture: The Extended Portrait Assignment #5 explained 18. 10/19/09 Special Guest: to be announced 19. 10/21/09 Lab / Studio 20. 10/26/09 Lab / Studio 21. 10/28/09 Critique of Assignment #4 22. 11/2/09 Lab / Studio 23. 11/4/09 Lecture: The Snapshot Aesthetic in Contemporary Photography Lecture: The Clinical Portrait Aesthetic Demo: Digital Portrait Retouching Assignment #6 explained Homework: read the handout on the Cameron Diaz vs. John Rutter case. Formulate an opinion on the matter for class discussion. 24. 11/9/09 Lab / Studio 25. 11/11/09 Lab / Studio 26. 11/16/09 Lecture and Discussion of Reading: The Celebrity Portrait: From Dignity to Audacity, the Uses and Abuses of Desire and Portraiture DVD: Blow Up (excerpts) DVD: Girl With A Pearl Earring (excerpts) Video: Ways of Seeing (On Women) by John Berger / BBC 27. 11/18/09 Critique of Assignment #5 28.11/23/09 Lab 29. 11/25/09 Critique of Assignment #2 (no redo) Deadline to hand in redo assignments Thanksgiving Break 30. 11/30/09 Lab 31. 12/2/09 Minimum of two proof sheets for final project to be reviewed by teacher in individual meetings Lab 32. 12/7/09 Lab 33. 12/9/09 Critique of Final Projects (no redo) 34. 12/16/09 Final Exam Pick-up Final Project Assignments Enough lab and studio time will be provided to complete all assignments during class hours. However, a considerable amount of extra time outside of class 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.) Please note: Poorly done redos will not improve your grade. However, you may redo the assignments more than once. All assignment redos are due on. Extra Credit Assignments (optional) 1. Additional Studio Portraits Try different classic lighting scenarios than the one chosen to be used for assignment #2. Possibilities include: side lighting; butterfly lighting; Rembrandt lighting, etc. This assignment may be completed in black and white with either fiber-based or RC paper, or it may be done in color and outputted digitally. In the latter case, the student must provide both a print and the unflattened digital file on a CD. This file must have a retouching layer, dodging and burning layer, color balance layer, and a levels or curves layer, etc. If you do not have considerable experience with Photoshop do not attempt to do this assignment in color. 2. Fashion Make one or more black and white or color prints from this genre. (See details regarding color work above.) 3. Figurative Photography Make one or more black and white or color prints from this genre. (See details regarding color work above.) 4. Narrative and Staged Portraiture Make one or more black and white or color prints from this genre. (See details regarding color work above.) 5. Exhibition Review View an exhibition space currently housing a show with photographs. Write a one to two page review. This piece of writing should demonstrate that not only have you observed the exhibition, but also considered the works personal, cultural, and social import. Engage in the following four activities: describing, interpreting, evaluating, and theorizing, with the goal of increasing appreciation and understanding of the works in question. Please note: poorly done extra credit assignments will not improve your grade. 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. Appendix B Workbook (10% of grade) This includes reflections on the assignments; notes from critique; lecture notes; and reading assignments. Additionally, the workbook contains questions (an open book test) to be answered. Please organize the workbook meticulously. Neglecting to include any of the material listed above will result in a reduced grade. Learning Outcome A. 70% of the students will pass with 70% or above an workbook exam on issues and techniques involving portraiture. B. 70% of the students will become proficient in the operation of studio lighting equipment for professional portraiture. C. 70% of the students will complete a portfolio of portrait photography compiled of relavent assignments and a final project.

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