Upper Moreland School District
Planned Course: Digital Photography Design I
National Art Standards:
NS1. Understanding and apply media, techniques, and processes
NS2. Understanding of structures and functions
NS3. Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols, and
ideas
NS4. Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures
NS5. Reflecting upon and assessing the characteristics and merits of
their work and the work of others
NS6. Making connections between visual arts and other disciplines
Pennsylvania Standards:
Academic Standards for the Arts and Humanities
9.1
Production, performance and exhibition of Dance, Music, Theatre,
and Visual Arts
9.2
Historical and Cultural contexts
9.3
Critical Response
9.4
Aesthetic Response
Pennsylvania Standards:
Academic Standards for Science and Technology
3.7.10 Technological Devices
Framework for 21st Century Learning Skills
1. 21st Century Themes
 Global Awareness
 Civic Literacy
2. Learning and Innovation Skills
 Creativity and Innovation - Inquire, think critically, and gain
knowledge
 Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to
new structures, and create new knowledge
 Communication and Collaboration
- Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as
members of our democratic society.
3. Information, Media and Technology Skills
 Information Literacy Media Literacy
 ICT Literacy
4. Life and Career Skills
 Pursue personal and aesthetic growth
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Course Description:
Digital Photo Design I will introduce students to basic digital photography skills of photo
composition and camera controls. Using the computer as a tool, students will utilize
software programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to acquire, compose,
manipulate and format digital images. In this digital darkroom students create and print
both black and white as well as color photos. Students will examine the work of
photographers throughout history as a foundation for their own work. Through the
elements of art and principles of design students develop their technical and
compositional skills as they solve various design problems. Students will critique their
own work and the works of their peers as part of the learning process. A culminating
presentation will be a requirement for all students.
Specific and measurable objectives directly related to the academic standards to be
achieved by students:
Specific course objectives are related to the Pennsylvania Department of Education
Academic Standards for the Arts and Humanities and the Standards for Science and
Technology. Objectives are also based on the National Visual Arts Standards and the
Standards for the 21st-Century Learner.
Content to be used to reach objectives:
In order to prepare students to shoot, edit, design, and produce aesthetically pleasing
photographs students will be engaged in the following introductory activities.
A. General areas to be covered will include:
1. Computer lab usage, rules and procedures, software basics and
applications.
2. Digital camera, photographic controls, exposure and lighting
3. Composition, elements of art and principles of design,
photographic composition, rule of thirds, color vs. black and white
and layout
4. Photoshop as a creative tool, use of palettes, menu commands,
painting and effect tools, basic image editing and correction
methods, save and load channels, masks, paths, layers, use of
filters and special effects, text effects, combining two or more
images
5. Historical and cultural aspects of photography, timeline of
development, social and cultural impact, noteworthy photographers
B. Projects may include:
1. Portraiture, Still life, Landscape, Photojournalism, Magazine
Cover, Photo reconstruction, Research
Materials:
In order to offer a comprehensive art education in which students will actively view,
create, analyze, interpret and critique art and incoming visual stimuli, students are offered
a wide variety of materials at varied levels and to accommodate many interests.
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November 2008
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Digital point and shoot cameras
Scanners
Large format laser printer/poster printer
Computers
SD media cards/Card reader
Mat boards (white and black for framing)
Mat board cutters
Paper cutter
Photo papers for printing
Tables for matting and framing
Web tutorials
Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator and In Design
Interactive white board
Reference materials/instructional materials/resources
Photography/ The Essential Way Text, Barbara London, Prentice Hall 2008
LCD projector
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Students must supply their own camera that meets the required specifications. A
specified list of acceptable digital cameras will be provided.
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A limited number of district cameras will be available for use in adherence to the
Upper Moreland School District’s Computer-technology Acceptable Use Policy
and Guidelines.
Instructional Activities:
A standards-based Visual Arts program requires that our students develop viewing and
thinking processes that are self-directed, collaborative, creative, critical, and reflective.
Development of skills in art production, art history, aesthetics, and art criticism, and in
visual literacy will be developed through the following instructional activities:
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Direct instruction
Collaboration
Cooperative learning
Differentiated instruction
Group discussion and debate
Written and Verbal critiques – self, peer, group
Big 6 research techniques
Bloom’s taxonomy – higher order thinking
Audio-visual presentations
Estimated instructional time to be devoted to achieving objectives:
This course will meet every day for a semester.
Procedures for measurement of student progress will include:
A variety of oral, written and performance assessments will be used to determine student
progress.
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An explanation of how student grades will be determined:
A student’s grade will be determined by levels of participation, completion of projects,
engagement with learning opportunities, critical thinking, and demonstration of skills.
Assignments will vary in weight and will be used collectively to determine a student’s
grade.
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November 2008
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