Intro to Digital Photography
adriene hughes introduction to digital photography
adriene hughes introduction to digital photography

 

 

 

 

 

abhughes@ucsd.edu
http://www.adrienehughes.com
http://www.softservegirl.com
ART 4B237
6:30 –9:30 PM
Instructor: Adriene Hughes
OBJECTIVE

This course is designed to familiarize the beginning digital photographer to all introductory phases of digital data with the use of a digital camera, and entry level post-production applications using Photoshop CS2. Though technical in nature, this class is an art photography course, and as such, will emphasize the creation and exploration of photographic imagery both technically and conceptually. Experimentation, in any form, is encouraged.

ATTENDANCE Attendance is mandatory. Lectures, demonstrations, review and classroom critiques will occur throughout each class meeting. Because of this, arriving in a timely fashion is necessary. Lectures and demonstrations will not be repeated.
GRADING

Grading is based on, but not limited to: participation in class critiques, technical ability, personal progress and/or improvement, and innovation. Personal progress and improvement will be based on each individual and not based on the class as a whole. Attention will be focused on producing a final portfolio. A class critique by both Students and Instructor will take place on the last day of instruction. The final portfolio will consist of six (6) 8 x 10” images of your choosing from the assignments. A seventh image as a diptych is required of you as well.

40% Attendance and classroom participation
30% Weekly Assignments
25% Final portfolio of images
5% Extra Credit Photograph

Final Grades:
A = 90% - 100%
B = 80% - 89%
C = 70% - 79%
D = 60% - 69%

EQUIPMENT

This course requires the use of a digital camera. It may be a SLR or a Point-and-Shoot by any manufacturer. Please be familiar with the use of your camera. Bring your Manual to class with you in case you have any questions as to its function. You will also need a USB thumb drive which allows you to save any assignments in progress (or completed) during the class for later reference. An external firewire drive is also acceptable. Please bring your camera, all cables for camera, manual, and USB drive (or an external firewire drive) to each class so we can download your work for review.

Recommended Book The Photoshop CS3 Book by Scott Kelby

Week 1

Introduction by Instructor
Introduction of students

What is a digital chip (Charged Coupled Device) and how does it work in the camera?
What is RGB
What is ColorSpace?
The color default in Photoshop and your camera: sRGB
What does each colorspace occupy in the color spectrum?

What is White Balance
Depth-of-Field
Depth-of-Field Calculator
Aperture/fstop
shutter speed
ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
example of digital image with 400 ISO
image noise description


Homework: How to use your camera READ YOUR MANUAL!

For Creative Function: use your AV settings on camera, change f-stop and be sure to set ISO to 100
Read: The Digital Photography Book Pages 62-69, 77, 78, 90
Assignment for Week 2: Produce a series of five photos depicting a SCENIC VIEW/LANDSCAPE. Print up 3 images and have them ready for review by week 2


Interesting Outdoor Photography Techniques and Issues


Examples of Landscape Photographers

Edward Burtansky (WATCH VIDEO - TED AWARDS)
East Anglia
Durham Township
Steven Johnson
Patrick Kelly

Week 2

Review of SCENIC VIEW images (group critique)

Problem solving any issues with use of camera and/or questions
Introduction to Photoshop CS2
WHAT IS PPI vs DPI?
Learning to resize your large images to a smaller version for email (300 dpi vs. 150dpi vs. 72 dpi)

TONIGHT'S ASSIGNMENT: Working in Photoshop - Learning to resize
(Reference: Page 103, Photoshop CS2 for Digital Photographers)
making an image for email and the internet using Photoshop CS3 with SCENIC VIEW/LANSCAPE images.

HOMEWORK: Review at home and familiarize yourself with:
Tools in Photoshop CS3
Read: The Digital Photography Book Pages 150, 163, 164, 166, 167, 169, 171, 173


Assignment for Week 3: Produce a series of five photos depicting an CITYSCAPE as a thematic structure. Print up 3 and have them ready for review by week 3

Examples of Cityscape Photographers
Brian Rose
Brian Rose
Mark King
PenCam
Kiran Master
Damon Winter

Week 3

Review of CITYSCAPE images (Group Critique)

Problem solving any issues with use of image and/or questions

In Class Instruction:
Learning to make a DIPTYCH
example: jana leon, david hilliard and Student Examples of Diptych's

Assignment for Week 4: Produce a series of three photos using PORTRAITURE as the theme. You must emulate a photographer, paying attention to light and compostion. As an example, please review Student Examples of Portraiture Emulation.
Have your portraits ready for review by week 4

HOMEWORK Read: The Digital Photography Book Chapter Chapter 6 starting on page 113

A list of portraiture techniques that might be helpful

Please visit the following web sites and be prepared to discuss the work
Loretta Lux
Helen Van Meene
Bil Zelman
Matt Hoyle
jerome ferraro

scott pommier

Week 4 Review of PORTRAITURE images (CLASS CRITIQUE)
Problem solving any issues with use of image and/or questions

In Class Instruction:
Post-Production: Learning to apply basic photoshop: levels, color balance, selection tools, blur/sharpen, removing blemishes. Also learn to make black-and-white images through calculations, working in layers, creating text.
Week 5 Assignment for Week 5: OPEN SUBJECT. Shoot whatever interests you. Play, experiment – now is the time to express your artistic voice with still life, floral, macro, architecture, etc.

Be ready to review OPEN SUBJECT images with me in private critique. We will discuss your images and see which 6 will work for your final presentation. Also this is the time we will spend 100% of class practicing our photoshop skills and learning to tweek the 6 images for your presentation.

FINAL ASSIGNMENT

Assignment for FINAL WEEK: Produce six (6) images that you feel are your strongest photographic results from the above assignments. Your challenge is to apply your post-production abilities and TWEEK those images so that they meet acceptable exhibition print (and by this I mean to hang on your wall or to give as a gift if you wish!). Each image must be printed no smaller than 8x10”, but if you wish to print larger you may. I am leaving size up to you, the photographer. Also if you artisitically choose to print your images in a smaller format, please write a proposal stating why your images would be shown best in a smaller format. As photographers I want you to think about how your images communicate a language, and how size can alter the contextual meaning of your personal voice. Remember: there are no rules – and if you have a handful of personal rules you have previously learned, all rules were meant to be broken!

For EXTRA CREDIT: produce one image of any size to add to your portfolio. Feel free to be creative.

By preparing a portfolio within a thematic structure, this begins the process of how a photographer shows his or her work to clients, work assignments or for personal enjoyment and story-telling.


Examples of Student's Final Portfolio

Week 6
CLASS CRITIQUE of Final Portfolio  

Websites of Interest

Glossary of Photographic Terms
How to Make a Photoblog
Digital Camera Review and News
Creating an Easy Portfolio

Sports Photography
Wildlife Photography
Digital Darkroom
Pro Techniques

AK47 — an online art photography magazine showcasing both fine arts and documentary photographers.
BLIR — for emerging artists.
Blueeyes — an online documentary photography magazine devoted to publishing new long-term project work. It is a labor of love created by a dedicated group of people who believe in the power of still photography.
F-STOP — a photography magazine.
mooncruise* — featuring photography and music by international artists.
Revolver — photojournalism, street & travel photography.
seesaw — observation full and felt.
LOOK AT ME — a collection of found photographs.
PIXELPRESS — encouraging documentary photography through a new paradigm of journalism, one that encourages an active dialogue between the author and reader and, also, the subject.
lens culture — photography and shared territories.
MakingRoom — a magazine about the process, intention and results of image-making.
FILE — a collection of unexpected photography.