Photo Design
Mrs. McFadden
Craig High School
Room 126
Welcome to Photo Design! I am so happy and am looking forward to spending this semester teaching
you all about photography as a fine art form. For this class, you will be learning how to take pictures with a
35mm manual camera using black and white film. You will also learn how to process the film into negatives
using chemicals and then take your negatives into the darkroom to print! Finally, you will learn how to
properly present and mat your beautiful prints.
You can expect the following information to be covered this semester
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Technical aspects of photography
Elements and principals of design
How to mat and present your artwork
Mrs. McFadden’s
Cougar Code for the Art Room



BE READY
Have necessary
supplies for class
Bring a pencil every
day!
Be productive and
on task





BE RESPONSIBLE
Beat the bell and
arrive on time!
Ask permission to use
hall pass
Remain seated until
bell rings
Keep work area clean
and clean up after
yourself
Turn in projects by
due date



BE RESPECTFUL
Of yourself, your
classroom, your
classmates, and your
teacher
Take care of your
materials and
classroom supplies
Cell phone and
headphone free zone
Rotations
After the technical aspects and proper use of materials has been explained, students will begin their rotations
through the darkroom. The class will be broken up into groups of approximately five students per group. In
general, a rotation usually takes five class periods to complete in order to allow everyone darkroom access.
When not in the darkroom, other tasks such as processing film, reading and reporting on an article, or matting
for instance will be assigned as part of the rotation.
Critiques
Critiques will be conducted in the form of individual written critiques for each project and in the form of large
class critiques. Participation is important and expected.
Mrs. McFadden’s
Cougar Code for the Darkroom




BE READY
Have necessary
supplies for working in
the darkroom (paper,
negatives, etc.)
Be at your enlarger
when the bell rings
Be productive and stay
on task
Know and keep your
locker combination





BE RESPONSIBLE
Be conscious of correct
procedures for printing
and mixing chemicals
Keep work area clean
and clean up after
yourself
Put printed photos in
correct place and label
properly
Be sure walkie talkie is
on at all times
If you are unsure… ASK!



BE RESPECTFUL
… of yourself, your
classroom, your
classmates, and your
teacher
Take care of your
materials and darkroom
supplies
Cell phone and
headphone free zone.
No exceptions.
Grading
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

Grades will reflect daily in class activities and assignments, projects, homework, tests, reading and writing
activities, daily work habits, etc.
A final exam worth 10% of your semester grade will be given at the end of each semester.
Because 90% of work is done in class, attendance is mandatory. Your attendance and participation is
required and important. This is a studio course!
Make Up Work
All students with excused absences shall be given the opportunity to make up work missed in accordance with
the following guidelines:
1. At the high school level, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the teacher to make arrangements for
making up work missed during an absence from school.
2. Students who miss classes for reasons that are determined to be excused shall be given the opportunity,
whenever possible, to make up work missed when they return to school.
3. Students will get the number of days absent plus one for make-up time. This applies to all work assigned
during absence(s).
4. Examinations missed during an excused absence will be taken at a time mutually agreed upon by the
student and the teacher.
Students that are truant (unexcused) shall not be given credit for class make-up work. A grade of “zero” or
“F” may be given for that class period providing all other students in the class receive a grade or credit for
that day. Truant (unexcused) students will have the opportunity to make up all exams or long-term
assignments that will affect their grades.
Class Fees
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Studio fees - $25.00
Photo paper - $10.00
Total: $35.00
*Please make checks payable to Craig High School
I cannot order film, chemicals or other related supplies until the fees are paid, so please bring them in ASAP!
Class Materials
1. A three ring binder is mandatory and should be used for this class only
2. Loose leaf paper in a binder
3. Pen or pencil
Because 90% of course work is done in class, attendance is
mandatory. Your attendance and participation is required and
important… This is a studio course!
Photo Design
Mrs. McFadden
Craig High School
Room 126
Dear Parents/Guardians,
My name is Melissa McFadden and I will be your son and/or daughters Photo Design teacher. I am looking
forward to getting to know each one of my students while helping them to develop their artistic abilities and
interests. We will take this year to learn about the basic 35mm film camera. We will have the opportunity to
focus on many different photographic subjects. I will be communicating with you throughout the semester to
keep you aware of your student’s progress. Feel free to contact me with questions or concerns at any time.
You may call (608)743-5423 and leave a message, or e-mail me at mmcfadden@janesville.k12.wi.us
The art department has a required lab fee that students will need to pay to participate in the class.
 A $25 lab fee is required for all photography students which covers film and processing chemicals for
the year.
 A $10 paper fee is required for your student’s photographic paper. This is special light sensitive paper
that I must purchase for our artwork.
 New portfolios to store student artwork in are available for $4.00 and used, but nice portfolios are
available for $1.00
 These costs should not prohibit your child from taking Photo Design. In cases of financial hardships,
please contact me if there is a problem paying the fee or if you need to pay at a late date.
 Below is a form to be sent back to school with payment of the $25 lab fee, $10 paper fee, and portfolio
at $4 or $1. Please make checks payable to Craig High School.
Thank you for your help!! Any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Melissa McFadden
Name___________________________________
____ Lab Fee (required) $25.00
____ Paper Fee (required) $10.00
____ New Portfolio $4.00
OR
____ Used Portfolio $1.00
Total Enclosed: $___________
_____ CASH _____ CHECK _____ RECEIPT REQUESTED
PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM ON OR BEFORE
___________________________________________
Class Period:____