Art 250: Photography I, Spring 2016
Marzieh Karimi (marzieh.karimi.202@my.csun.edu)
Office hours (with appointment): MW 5-6pm, MFA Shed studio
Catalogue Description: Basic instruction in the creative use of the camera and
printing techniques. Instruction in basic principles and darkroom experience.
Emphasis on photography as a fine art, stressing beginning visual awareness
and craftsmanship.
Art Department Program Goals implemented in Art 250
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Basic Skills: Develop a foundation of art knowledge, theories, skills, and
technologies, through which ideas and concepts are communicated in
writing, speaking, and art making.
Art Knowledge
: Broaden knowledge of ancient through contemporary art
and develop an understanding of art within theoretical, cultural, and
historical contexts.
Critical Thinking: Analyze, interpret, and question traditional
methodologies and pre-conceived notions of art and art making through
the process of generating and solving problems.
Student Learning Outcomes in Art 250
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Understand and apply the elements and principles of design as they relate
to photography’s ability to impose a frame upon the three-dimensional
world and translate it into two dimensions.
Acquire and apply beginning photography knowledge and skills by using
analog photographic equipment and processes
Acquire knowledge of the history of photography and contemporary
photography by looking at other artists’ photographs.
Analyze photographs, both verbally and written, through critique and selfreflection.
Approach image making from a conceptual perspective by using the
camera’s frame to create content.
Course requirements
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Five graded assignments (worth up to twenty points each) will be given
during the semester and will emphasize aesthetic, conceptual, and
technical aspects of photography.
Students will submit each
assignment with proof sheets and a subjective, one-page, written
component. Incomplete submissions (submissions without written
components are considered incomplete) will earn up to seventy percent of
possible points. Late assignments (due by the following assignment’s duedate) will earn lower scores. Consultation with Marzieh about work in
progress is required for each assignment (non-consultation submissions
are considered late).
Attendance and participation are required. Attendance will be taken at
each class meeting and on “open lab” days; “open lab” allows students to
work in the photography lab and meet individually with Marzieh. Students
coming to class more than thirty minutes late will be marked “absent.”
Students leaving class early will be marked “absent.” Being up to thirty
minutes late to class three times counts as one absence. Having more
than three absences, being absent from critique, turning in a late
assignment, and/or failing to complete an assignment will prevent students
from participating in the end-of-semester curve.
Suggested Reading
Henry Horenstein, Black & White Photography
Final grade breakdown (100 points possible)
A 93-100
A- 90-92
B+ 88-89
B 83-87
B- 80-82
C+ 78-79
C 73-77
C- 70-72
D+ 68-69
D 63-67
D- 60-62
Equipment and Supplies
35mm camera with manual controls
35mm black and white negative film and negative sleeves
Canned air, cloth hand towel, contrast filters, spotting brush, and thermometer
8”x10” variable contrast black and white resin-coated (RC) photographic paper
(any surface)
Photography Supply Stores
Freestyle: 5124 West Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood; 323.660.3460
Matador Bookstore: CSUN; 818.677.2932
Tentative Course Outline and Schedule
JAN 25 M
Introduction and class discussion. Assignment One: edge, due
Wednesday, February 17
JAN 27 W
Discuss camera anatomy, loading film, focusing, setting the
exposure, and taking the picture. Discuss composition.
FEB 1 M
Demonstrate film development. Make black and white photograms.
Note: One properly exposed and processed photogram must be
submitted with Assignment One.
FEB 3 W
Demonstrate making proof sheets and enlarging negatives.
FEB 8 M
Open Lab
FEB 10 W Open Lab
FEB 15 M
Open Lab
FEB 17 W Critique One. Assignment Two: blur, due Wednesday, March 9.
FEB 22 M
Slide/video discussion. Demonstrate printing with contrast filters,
dodging and burning.
FEB 24 W Discuss exposure equivalents. Demonstrate spotting. Bring
processed film and proof sheets to next class.
FEB 29 M
Discuss blur as seen in film and proof sheets.
MAR 2 W
Open Lab
MAR 7 M
Open Lab
MAR 9 W
Critique Two. Assignment Three: less/more, due Monday, April
4.
MAR 14 M Slide/video discussion. Discuss Zone System. Bring camera and film
to next class.
MAR 16 W Review and practice Zone System. Bring processed film and proof
sheets to next class.
MAR 21 M Spring Break. No Instruction.
MAR 23 W Spring Break. No Instruction.
MAR 28 M Open Lab
MAR 30 W Open Lab
APR 4 M
Critique Three. Assignment Four: with, due Wednesday, April
20.
APR 6 W
Slide/video discussion.
APR 11 M Open Lab
APR 13 W Open Lab
APR 18 M Open Lab
APR 20 W Critique Four. Assignment Five: ruin, due Wednesday, May 11.
APR 25 M Slide/video discussion. Discuss random double exposure.
APR 27 W Demonstrate cutting window mats.
MAY 2 M
Open Lab
MAY 4 W
Open Lab
MAY 9 M
Open Lab
MAY 11 W Critique Five.
MAY 16 M Final Meeting (8-10am).