Journalism 335 Photojournalism
Spring 2015  T-Th 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.  Simpkins 309
Instructor
L. Kernek
L-kernek@wiu.edu
Tel. (309) 569-1270
Office: Simpkins 226-i
Office hours
Tuesday and Thursday:
10-10:50 a.m., 12:20-1 p.m.
Friday: 8:50-9:50 a.m.
and by appointment
Cameras
Provided by the
department. Please bring
them to EVERY CLASS with
fresh batteries.
Textbook
National Geographic
Ultimate Field Guide to
Photography, 2009 edition
Other supplies & costs

Four rechargeable
or lithium (NOT
alkaline) AA batteries

Flash drive, at least
2GB

Ten black 11-by-14inch mounting boards
(sold in packs of five at
WIU Bookstore)

Double-sided tape

Printing at Document
& Publication Services
Introduction
In this course you will learn to do a range of photography
assignments using a digital camera. You’ll learn how to
compose, shoot and edit pictures in documentary style.
By the end of this course you should be able to:
1. Know how to use a digital camera well.
2. Know the elements of composition and technical quality in
a photograph.
3. Understand ethics in photojournalism.
4. Edit photographs using Photoshop.
Along the way I hope you’ll have fun shooting pictures!
Course procedure
Class time will be divided between instruction and laboratory
sessions. On lab days, we will be going outdoors to shoot
pictures—please dress for the weather!
Requirements
Your course grade will consist of:
Eight single photos
400 points
Video assignment
100 points
3-pic package
100 points
Midterm exam
50 points
Mini-bio and quizzes
100 points
Lab exercises
50 points
Final exam
100 points
Attendance/participation
100 points
TOTAL:
1,000 points
Course grades are based
on a percentage of points
using this scale: A 93 to
100 percent; A- 90 to 92.9;
B+ 87 to 89.9; B 83 to
86.9 B–; 80 to 82.9; C+ 77
to 79.9; C 73 to 76.9; C–
70 to 72.9; D+ 67 to 69.9;
D 63 to 66.9; D– 60 to 62.9; F 0 to 59.9.
Grades will be posted on Western Online.
Photo assignments and deadlines
Photos are due at the beginning of class on the due date.
Assignments handed in after class on the due date will lose a
half-letter grade. Assignments will lose one letter grade for
every weekday past the deadline. You are expected to submit
original work and to shoot new pictures for each assignment.
Each assignment should feature a different subject; in other
words, don’t submit pictures showing the same person or
group twice. Photographs taken before the semester began
will not be accepted.
Submission of assignments
A digital image in JPEG format and a color print on black mount board should be submitted for
each photo assignment. Once you’ve edited your photos using Photoshop in the lab, you can have
a print made at Document & Publication Services (across from Higgins Hall). We’ll go over the
details in class.
Tests and quizzes
This class requires a written midterm and written final exam. You’ll also have written quizzes on
the readings most weeks.
Attendance
I grant two automatically excused absences—no questions asked, no documentation needed.
Beginning with the third absence, points will be deducted from the participation grade (worth 100
points total) and any missed work may not be made up. I make exceptions for circumstances
beyond students’ control, so please contact me in the event of an emergency. PLEASE NOTE:
Twelve or more absences will result in automatic failure of the course.
Homework or quizzes missed because of excused absences should be turned in or made up within
a week of the absences. Make-up work turned in more than a week after the missed class will not
be accepted. Exams cannot be rescheduled or made up without special permission in advance
from me. Exams, quizzes or in-class lab assignments missed because of lateness or unexcused
absences cannot be made up and will receive zeroes.
No Cell Phone/Surfing Zone
Mobile devices must have ringers off and be out of sight during class. Lab computers are only for
class-related work when class is in session. Personal use of mobile devices or lab computers
during class time may result in being dismissed from that day’s class.
Plagiarism
You are expected to do your own, original work produced for this class. WIU’s academic
integrity policy defines plagiarism as “intentionally or knowingly presenting the work of another
as one's own” (http://www.wiu.edu/policies/acintegrity.php). The penalty for plagiarism is an F
for the course.
Disabilities
Please see me if you have any special needs.
READING AND ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE (subject to change, with notice)
January
Introduction
T 20
Th 22
T 27
Basics
Photojournalist mini-bio presentations
Th 29
February
T3
Quiz 1: Ch. 1 pp. 12-35
Th 5
Due: Photo 1/Architecture
T 10
Quiz 2: first half Ch. 2 pp. 46-83
Th 12
No class/Lincoln’s birthday
T 17
Quiz 3: second half Ch. 2 pp. 83-109
Th 19
T 24
Quiz 4: Exposure
Th 26
Due: Photo 2/Weather
March
T3
Quiz 5: first half Ch. 3 pp. 120-142
W5
Due: Photo 3/Slice of Life
T 10
Quiz 6: second half Ch. 3 pp. 142-171
Th 12
Due: Photo 4/Pattern
Midterm exam
March 16-20
Spring break
T 24
Th 26
Due: Photo 5/Motion
T 31
Quiz 7: Ch. 5 pp. 212-251
April
Th 2
Due: Photo 6/Portrait
T7
Quiz 8: Ch. 6 pp. 252-269
Th 9
Due: Photo 7/Light
T 14
Th 16
Quiz 9: Ch. 7 pp. 270-311
Due: Photo 8/News Event
T 21
Th 23
T 28
Due: Video
Th 30
May
T5
Th 7
Due: Final 3-picture package
Final exam week
Th 14
FINAL EXAM 10 a.m.