ART 151: Photography As Art
Monday/Wednesday 12:00-1:45
Room: AC331
Instructor: Lisa Talbot
Office: TBA | Office Hours: Wednesday 1:45-2:45
Contact: ltalbot@csun.edu
Fall 2015, 3 units
Course Description
Not available for Art Major credit. Students must provide their own digital camera (SLR
or compact digital, manual option strongly recommended). Introduction for non-art
majors to the subject matter and aesthetics of photography. Review of artists’ works that
have been a major influence in the field and which reflect broader issues in visual
culture. Assignments include learning basic camera anatomy, functions, and digital
applications. Students need basic working knowledge of computer operation.
Photography as art satisfies the Lifelong Learning section of the General Education
program. Lifelong Learning coursework encourages students to develop an appreciation
for the importance of the continued acquisition of new and diverse knowledge and skills,
and offers opportunities to integrate personal, professional, and social aspects of life.
Students will develop cognitive, physical and affective skills that will allow them to
become more integrated and well-rounded individuals within various physical, social,
cultural and technological environments and communities.
General Education Student Learning Outcomes in Art 151:
 Identify and actively engage in behaviors conducive to individual health, wellbeing, or development, and understand the value of maintaining these
 Behaviors throughout the lifespan.
 Identify and apply strategies leading to health, well-being, or development for
community members of diverse populations.
 Apply the knowledge and skills of science and technology and evaluate how they
impact individuals, the community, and/or society.
Arts, Media and Society General Education Path Student Learning Outcomes:
Students enrolled in the GE Paths program explore a special theme or major question
from an interdisciplinary perspective in the context of their general
education requirements. Art 151 is part of the Arts, Media and Society Path. See
http://www.csun.edu/gepaths/paths_list.html#ams for more information.
 Students will demonstrate an understanding of the history, criticism and
aesthetics of several of the traditional forms of artistic endeavor.
 Students will be able to write in the critical idiom and discourse regarding one or
more art and media modes and practice.
 Students will demonstrate an understanding of the debates and theories
surrounding critical approaches to the relationship amongst art, media and
society along with some of the histories of these debates and relationships.
Art Department Program Goals implemented in Art 151
 Basic Skills: Develop a foundation of art knowledge, theories, skills,
craftspersonship, 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.
Art Department Student Learning Outcomes in Art 151:
 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.
 Basic photography skills: camera anatomy and functions, the relationship among
f- stop, shutter speed, and ISO, correct exposure and white balance.
 Elements and principles of two-dimensional design as they relate to photographic
compositions.
 The history of photography and related art historical movements by looking at,
evaluating, reading, and writing about other artists’ work.
 To use this knowledge as a means of communication through self-expression
through assignments, discussion, lectures and reading.
 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.
Grading Criteria
This class is graded on a Total Points Method. Class participation, writing assignments
on images you find, photo projects and your final will add up to 1,000 points. All
assignments will need to be uploaded to Moodle.
Class participation
Assignments on looking (Each assignment is worth 25 points)
Photo Projects 1-5 (Each project is worth 100 points)
Final Project
125 points
175 points
500 points
200 points
Late work: Due to the fact that all assignments build off each other and we critique
assignments in class it is important that Photo Projects are not late. Late Photo Projects
are automatically lowered by one grade (-20 points). All Assignments on looking will
also be graded down for being late. The Final Project cannot be late!
Redoing a project for a higher-grade: Your can redo a total of one Photo Project for a
better grade, but it must be turned it in before the next assignment. The Final Project
cannot be redone!
Grading Deductions:
All assignments will be critiqued in class. And all Critiques are mandatory if you are
absent from a critique day you will lose 15 points from your assignment. This will be
waved if you have a valid excused absence.
If you turn an assignment in late you 20 points will be taken off the assignment.
(Equivalent to one letter grade)
What I Expect from All Students:
Attendance Policy: Three tardy arrivals or leaving class early will equal an absence.
Three unexcused absences will lower your final grade by 100 points. To get an excused
absence you must bring in a doctors not or some other official note explaining why you
were unable to come to class. This note must be on the doctors letterhead or some
other official letterhead. Work is not a valid excuse to miss class, you need to arrange
your work schedule around class time
Class Participation and Behavior
Class Participation is a large part of your grade so please make sure to participate in the
class discussions and critiques. Please make sure that you are thoughtful, respectful,
and professional when commenting on work, especially on your fellow classmates work.
Please be thoughtful and considerate when talking about others works. Please keep all
comments constructive. It is not enough to say, ”I like it” or “I don’t like it.” Think about
why you like the picture (or not) and what you think could be improved upon in the future
and be prepared to share that.
Cell Phones & Computers
Cell phones are not to be used during class. Please turn your cell phones off (not on
vibrate) during class.
Please use your computers in class for class purposes only!
Supplies and Materials:


Some form of camera will be necessary for this class. A camera with manual
options is strongly recommended but not required. You can use a camera phone
if needed.
A memory card for you camera

Computer Access with Internet.

All assignments will need to be turned in via either CD or memory stick and final
shots will be uploaded to Moodle

Assignments on Looking are to be turned in via the Moodle

All written assignments must be typed!
PHOTO PROJECTS: (WORTH 100 POINTS EACH)
Project 1: Light
DUE: September 13 by Midnight
Start to learn to see how the camera sees. Find moments outside during the day, where
you notice how the light falls on a subject or lights up a space. Notice the highlights and
shadows; look at how the light changes with the time of day, weather or what is around
affecting the light. Turn in 50 shots of light observations. Bring in 2 of your favorites
printed at least 4” X 6” to critique. At the end of the class, you will turn in your 2 prints
and a CD, memory stick, or proof sheets with all your shots.
Project 2: Color
DUE: September 28 by Midnight
Pic a color and create images in which that color is a significant part of the image. Think
about how the color effects the composition. Notice how the light shifts colors and how
your camera might see them differently than your eye. Turn in 50 images of color
observations. Bring in 2 of your favorites printed at least 4” X 6” to critique. At the end
of the class, you will turn in your 2 prints and a CD, memory stick, or proof sheets with all
your shots.
Project 3:Depth of Field and Motion
DUE: October 11 by Midnight
This assignment is meant to start pulling your attention to focus. How does the camera
see? Is everything in focus? At what point do things get blurry? How can I control the
depth of field? What do I as the photographer want? Are Things moving when I take a
picture? How do I as the photographer want to deal with that? Take 50 pictures 25
thinking about depth of field and what you want your viewer to focus on, and 25 thinking
about motion in your picture. Have one depth of field shot and one motion shot printed
at least 4”x6” to show in critique. At the end of the class, you will turn in your 2 prints and
a CD, memory stick, or proof sheets with all your shots.
Project 4: Nighttime Photography
DUE: October 25 by Midnight
This assignment is meant for you to get used to dealing with photographing at night.
You will need to stabilize your camera in some way, with either a tripod or putting it on a
sold surface. You can also adjust your ISO appropriately. This assignment should be
creative and fun. Turn in 50 shots of photographs at night. Bring in 2 of your favorites
printed at least 4” X 6” to critique. At the end of the class, you will turn in your 2 prints
and a CD, memory stick, or proof sheets with all your shots.
Project 5: Portraits.
DUE: November 8 by Midnight
Explore how a portrait can be taken to tell the viewer about a person. Try getting close
up to the person and also further away to show their environment. Shoot a minimum of
100 shots. You will be presenting in critique a total of 2 different images depicting
different styles of portraiture printed 8”x10”. At the end of the class, you will turn in your 2
8”x10” prints and a CD, memory stick, or proof sheets with all your shots.
Final Project: Narrative.
DUE: December 1 by Midnight
Shoot minimum of 120 pictures. These images should show a narrative of some sort. A
narrative tells the viewer a story. This does not mean it has to be a sequential story. Be
creative as this is your final project. Your concept needs to be approved by me. You
must have a written proposal for this project, which will be due: November 18. I will
meet individually with you that day and sign off your proposals with any changes made
that day. Your final should be 6 images, size is open but minimum 4”x6”. At the end of
the class, you will turn in your 6 prints and a CD, memory stick, or proof sheets with all
your shots.
ASSIGNMENTS ON LOOKING: (WORTH 25 POINTS EACH)
Critical thinking, in its broadest sense has been described as "purposeful
reflective judgment concerning what to believe or what to do."
For each Photo Project Due you will also have a corresponding Assignment on
looking in which you will need to bring in or post to the WORDPRESS site a
photograph you found that you like on the topic we are discussing. Please also
write a paragraph explaining why you like this picture and how it is relevant to the
topic we are discussing. Be prepared to talk about what you wrote in class.
Photo 1 ANY PHOTOGRAPH YOU LIKE
Due: August 26 before start of class
Bring in any picture you really like.
In a short paragraph describe the picture and tell me why you like it.
Photo 2 LIGHT
Due: September 2 before start of class
Bring a picture that you think the lighting is a significant part of the image.
In a short paragraph answering the following: How does the lighting in this picture make
the image stronger? What does the light tell you about this picture?
Photo 3 COLOR
Due: September 16 before start of class
a picture that the color stands out to you.
In a short paragraph tell me the following things: How does the color make this picture?
How does it effect the composition? How would this picture be different if it had no
color?
Photo 4 Street Photography (Depth of field and Motion)
Due: October 5 before
start of class
Bring a photo that is either in focus at one area of the picture only or is in focus
throughout the whole image. Bring a photo that is either stopping motion or blurring
motion. These pictures should be photographs in the “Street Photography” genre.
Write a short paragraph on each of these images answering the following: How does the
focus effect this image? What does the way the action captured tell us about this
image? How do these things effect the composition and message of the photograph?
How do these images fall into the genre “Street Photography”?
Photo 5 NIGHTTIME
Due: October 14 before start of class
Bring a picture that is taken at night.
In a short paragraph tell me how the nighttime aspect of this photo effects what the
photographer is trying to say. Describe the picture.
Photo 6 PORTRATURE
Due: October 28 before start of class
Bring a photographic portrait, please no snap shots of your family or friends.
In a short paragraph tell me how is this portrait is different than a snap shot? What
makes this portrait interesting?
Photo 7 STORYTELLING
Due: November 11 before start of class
Bring in a picture or series of pictures that tells a story.
In a short paragraph answer the following: What is the story that you think is being told
and what specifically in the picture/s tells you this?
Calendar
Week 1:
Monday August 24:
Go over syllabus.
Introductions.
Slide show introducing photography and the ways we use photographs.
For the next class:
Bring in a photograph you really like and bring your camera if you have one. Reading:
Wednesday August 26:
Talk about photos you brought in. Reading for Roland Barthes: Rhetoric of the Image
Week 2:
Monday August 31
Lecture: The foundation of the photograph: Exposure, metering, lens, and focus.
Introduce Project 1
For the next class:
Bring in a photo that you think the lighting is significant to the message of the image.
Wednesday September 2
Talk about images and light.
Week 3
Monday September 7
Go for a walk looking at light.
Wednesday September 9
Lecture: How does the camera see light? Natural Light a slide show.
Week 4
Monday September 14
Critique project #1
Wednesday September 16
Finish Critique Project #1
Introduce Project 2
For the next class:
Bring in a photograph that color is very important to the composition of the picture.
Week 5
Monday September 21
Look at images students brought on Color
Wednesday September 23
Lecture: Black and White vs Color and thinking about Composition
For the next class:
Assignment #2 Due
Week 6
Monday September 28
Critique project #2
Wednesday September 30
Finish Critique Project #2
Introduce Project 3
For the next class:
Bring in a photograph that you really like that has shallow or deep focus and one that
stops or blurs motion and are both in the genre of street photography.
Week 7
Monday October 5
Look at pictures and talk about Depth of Field and Shutter Speed and the street
photography genre
Wednesday October 7
Lecture on Street Photography and Depth of Field and Shutter Speed
For the next class:
Assignment 3 Due
Week 8
Monday October 12.
Critique project #3
Wednesday October 14
Finish Critique project #3
Introduce Project 4
For the next class:
Bring in a night shoot that stands out to you.
Week 9
Monday October 19
Talk about night shots you brought in
Wednesday October 21
Lecture: Low light photography, ISO, tripods, and flash
For the next class:
Project 4 Due.
Week 10
Monday October 26
Critique project #4
Introduce Project 5
FRIENDS OR FAMILY!!!
Wednesday October 28
Finish Critique Project #4
For the next class:
Bring in a photograph of a portrait that stands out to you. NO SNAPSHOTS OF
Week 11
Monday November 2
Talk about portraits you brought in.
Wednesday November 4
Lecture: Portraits, what are they and what are their different uses.
What makes an interesting portrait?
For the next class: Assignment 5 Due
Week 12:
Monday November 9
Critique Project #5
Wednesday November 11
Finish Critique Project #5
Introduce FINAL PROJECT
Week 13
Monday November 16
Lecture: photo stories series vs. narratives.
Wednesday November 18
Meet individually to talk about Final Project proposals
For the next class:
Bring in a picture or pictures that tell a story.
Week 14:
Monday November 23
Talk about photos you brought in that tell a story.
Wednesday November 25
Watch La Jete and discuss
Week 15
Monday November 30
Group activity to discuss any last minute editing and story issues.
For the next class:
Final Projects due
Wednesday December 2
Final Project Due
Week 16:
Monday Dec. 7th_ Final Project Critique
Finals Day: TBA
Return all assignments. If you do not show up for final day to pick up work it will be
thrown away!!
**ALL PROJECTS, ASSIGNMENTS, AND CALENDAR SCHDUALE IS SUBJECT TO
CHANGE!