Arts 2357-2; Photography II
Instructor:
Shannon Duncan
Email:
sladuncan@gmail.com
Meeting:
Tu/Tr 1-4p
Phone:
713-718-6600
Office:
FAC 203
Office Hours: By appointment
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Course Description:
This course is a studio-based class in black and white photography. It
is designed for students who have already taken Photography I. The
course will build on previously acquired skills of black and white film
exposure, processing and printing. Students will develop personal
outlooks towards specific applications of the photographic process.
Scope of Course:
This Photography based Level II class will allow for the student to
experiment with photographic methods and techniques and to further
develop a sense of design, composition, theory and content. The student
will develop a body of work that cultivates a personal vision, while
building a portfolio, which illustrates an understanding of various
processes and professional presentation. This course will examine the
interdependence of medium and image.
Course Objectives:
The emphasis of the class will be learning:
• How to develop a cohesive body of work through the development of
ideas and personal vision
• Refinement of technical skills (critical control of contrast through
exposure and development)
• Experiment with a different format camera and studio lighting
• Toning prints (selenium, sepia and others)
• A more in-depth look into the history of photography and also
discussion of contemporary photography
• How to mount and matt exhibition prints and create a final print
portfolio / Presentation Issues
• The development of language as it pertains to the critique process
The following will also be expected of you as a Photo 2 student
 Complete a minimum of 1000 words in writing assignments
 Demonstrate safe studio habits, materials handling, and equipment operation
 Create a print that demonstrates skill in advanced exposure
 Create a print using alternatives to resin coated paper that can include, but are not limited to,
fiber paper, fabric, or other alternative media
 Create a series of prints that explore black and white photographic alternative processes that
can include, but are not limited to, cyanotypes, sandwiched negatives, and solarized prints
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Create a print using advanced development techniques
Prepare one work for an exhibition and participate according to instructor or individual college
Participate in end of semester studio clean-up
Explore a variety of subject matter
Explore a variety of styles (representational, abstract, non-representational)
Demonstrate knowledge of the medium from art historical and cultural contexts
Make a series of works that conveys the development of a personal style
Expense:
It is required that you have a working camera that can be operated manually. You will incur $200
to $300 in other expenses (aside from the cost of the camera - $200) during the semester, so plan
accordingly. Financial problems are not acceptable excuses for not getting coursework done on
time. If you have problems in this regard, talk to me before the worst happens — maybe we can
figure out a solution.
ADA Statement:
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, learning,
etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office
at the respective college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty is authorized to provide only the
accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.
For questions, contact Donna Price at 713-718-5165 or the Disability Counselor at each college.
Also visit the ADA website at http://www.hccs.edu/students/disability/index.htm.
Children/Guests in Classroom:
There are no children/guests allowed in the classroom/lab at any time under any circumstances. If
this is a foreseeable issue, understand that your attendance can be affected if other arrangements
cannot be made.
The Lab/Classroom:
Friends and pets are not allowed in the lab areas. No smoking. No food or drinks beyond “the line.”
Throw away trash and leave everything straight and clean. This is your lab and there is no one to
clean up after you. Please take this responsibility seriously. If you don't, you will not be allowed to
use the lab. Photographic equipment is fragile -- never use force with cameras, enlargers, etc.
Everything should work smoothly and easily – if it doesn’t, ask for help. If anything is broken or
needs attention, notify me, a lab monitor, or a photo instructor immediately.
Academic Honesty Statement:
The HCCS policy on scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to cheating on a test,
plagiarism, and collusion:
1. Cheating on a test includes:
* Copying from another student's test paper; using during a test, materials not authorized by the
person giving the test;
*Collaborating with another student during a test without authority;
*Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents
of an unadministered test;
*Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.
2. Plagiarism means the appropriation of another's work and the unacknowledged incorporation of
that work in one's own written work offered for credit.
3. Collusion means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work
offered for credit.
Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of 0 or F on the particular
assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation or dismissal from the
College.
Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to attend classes regularly. Students are responsible for course content
covered during their absences, and it is the student's responsibility to consult with instructors for
make-up assignments. Class attendance is checked daily. It is the responsibility of the student to drop a
course for non-attendance. Failure to do so could result in the grade earned. Additionally, the instructor has
the authority to drop a student for excessive absences. A student may be dropped from a course for
absenteeism after the student has accumulated absences in excess of 12.5 percent of the
hours of instruction. Please be aware of the deadline for administrative or student initiated withdrawals.
After that date students will receive the grade that they earned.
Absences:
Attendance is a basic requirement and will be checked daily. If you miss class for other than
documented health reasons, it will lower your class participation. If you miss more than three
classes, your participation grade will be lowered each subsequent time.
Critique:
Attendance at critique is essential – for you as well as your peers. Don't miss, even if you have not
finished your own project. An unexcused absence from a critique will lower your grade
on that assignment by a full letter, in addition to affecting your participation grade.
Tardiness:
Come to class on time; when you are late, you disrupt lectures and demos and distract fellow
students. If you come late twice, that will count as an absence.
Make-Up:
There will be no make-up classroom lectures, demonstrations and or discussions. Information
covered in class will not be repeated for tardy or absent students. Find a partner to call in case
you miss class and ask to use their notes.
Grading Policy:
A (90-100/Excellent) 4 points per semester hour
B (80-89/Good) 3 points per semester hour
C (70-79/Fair) 2 points per semester hour
D (6-69/Passing) 1 point per semester hour
F (Failing) 0 points per semester hour
W (Withdrawn) 0 points per semester hour
Your final grade will be based on photo assignments, quiz, essay, final portfolio, class participation & class
attendance. Come to class on time, do the required assignments on time, attend and participate in critiques
and you will most likely make no less than a “B.” As in most art courses, in order to earn an “A,” you must
create interesting and superior work that is well thought out and executed. You must also be an active
participant in the class and critiques.
Four (4) Assignments 50 points each = 200 points (50% of final grade)
Final Portfolio 100 points (25% of final grade)
Attendance 25 points, Participation 25 points, Essay 50 points = 100 points (25% of grade)
Assignments:
Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date & will be accounted for with
attendance. Plan to complete them a few days before a critique, as they may need alteration. Visual
art projects, like writing projects, almost always need more work and polish beyond the "first
edit," and therefore always take longer than originally planned. Don't come to class empty-handed
because you waited until the last minute and "something happened" (like the chemicals were bad,
the water was off, there were no enlargers available, etc.). "Something" frequently does happen
and your planning must take this into account. Turning in a project late lowers your grade on that
assignment by a full letter for each class day it is overdue.
The “I” Policy
There will be no Incompletes given in this course. If you feel you will not be able to complete your
work before final portfolios are due, be sure to review the HCCS drop procedures before the
DROP (W) deadline passes.
Drop/Withdrawal Policy Withdrawals
Be certain you understand HCCS policies about dropping a course. It is your responsibility to
officially withdraw from a class. When considering withdrawal from a course, remember that:
1. No grade is given and your transcript reflects no record of the course if you withdraw before the
Official Date of Record.
2. A “W” (indicating withdrawal) appears on your transcript if you drop a course after the Official
Date of Record and before the final deadline.
3. The final deadline to drop a course is approximately four weeks before fall or spring semester
finals and one week before summer semester exams. Look on the semester calendar for the specific
date. After this date students will receive the grade they earned.
4. A “W” could have a detrimental effect on financial aid, scholarships, or visas. It is the
responsibility of each student to understand the consequences.
Read carefully and understand that W grades are potentially damaging for many studentʼs academic
ad personal lives. Please be a ware that withdrawals grade (W) may result in loss of your health
insurance coverage, loss of your academic or other types of scholarships, and/or loss of your
student visa status.
CAUTION: ATTEND CLASS to maintain a grade!
You must withdraw yourself to (receive grade W)
Do not rely on your instructor to drop you.
Last Day for Administrative/Student Withdrawals is
Thursday, November 18, 2010 by 4:30 pm
Required Reading/Textbook
Read and understand the entire syllabus and its contents. You are responsible for its
contents. Handouts will be given to you periodically please keep them in a binder so that you may
refer to them in the future.
Suggested Text:
Criticizing Photographs, by Terry Barrett
The Photographer’s Eye, John Szarkowski
Work outside of class
Students are expected to work on their projects or journals outside of class in order to
satisfactorily complete the assignments. It may be unrealistic to expect all of the work necessary
to complete the project can be done only in the time allotted for the class to meet.
Open studios
The beginning of open studio hours will be announced in class. Once lab hours begin, each student can
access the darkroom between _______________ on Monday and Wednesday, and from
_________________ on Thursdays. You must have an access card and sign in to use the lab. You must
also start the final wash 45 minutes before lab ends. If these policies are broken, lab hours will be revoked.
Insurance disclaimer
The Fine Arts Department at Central College strongly recommends that all HCCS students carry
some form of medical insurance to cover illness and injury, both on and off campus. Information
regarding low-cost health insurance for students is available in the Fine Arts office. Under Texas
state statute, HCCS is immune to liability in the event of accident or injury.
ARTS academic advising statement
Academic advisement concerning specific Fine Arts courses and degree plans for Art is
available to Central College students during the academic semesters. Please sign up in the Fine
Arts office, FAC 101, to speak to a full time instructor in your area of interest.
Tutoring
Students are encouraged to take advantage of tutoring services offered by the English
Department located on the third floor of the Fine Arts Center next to the English office. Tutors
will assist writing assignments and are especially helpful for students when English is a
second language. In addition, online tutoring is available 24/7 at www.askonline.net.
Submissions are returned within 24 hours or less.
Repetition of courses
Students who repeat a course for a third or more time may face significant tuition and/or fee
increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. Please ask your instructor
or counselor about opportunities for tutoring and other assistance prior to considering course
withdrawal or if you are not receiving passing grades.
Supply List
Camera:
You must have a 35mm SLR camera, either an all-manual model, or one that has the option of full manual
operation. There are no exceptions to this requirement. If your camera does not have a built in light
meter, you must have a hand-held light meter. You need a lens between 28mm and 50mm. It is
recommended that you must also have a medium format camera – Holgas and Dianas are acceptable. If you
buy a used camera and it doesn’t come with a manual, try http:// www.manualsrus.com or http://
www.craigcamera.com.
Film:
Kodak TMAX or Tri-X, Fuji Neopan or Acros, Ilford HP5 or Delta – you may use that ISO that best suits
your light conditions. You will use a minimum of 15 rolls of film in this class.
Paper:
Begin with a pack of 8” x 10” double-weight, fiber based paper by Ilford or Kodak. You may get either
glossy, semi-glossy, matt, semi-matt or pearl photo paper. Be careful when buying film or paper -- you
can't return it. DO NOT BUY "GRADED” PAPER. Buy VC (Variable Contrast.) Resin coated (RC) paper
isn’t as archival and is plastic based, so it is better to use fiber based photo. RC can be used for making
contacts.
Don't open photo paper except under a safelight. You will need to buy additional paper as the
semester progresses.
Film Developing Tank:
Paterson Plastic Tank (comes with 1 reel only). Get an extra reel in order to process more than 1 roll of film
at a time.
Filters: Ilford Multigrade Filters in the 6"x 6" box.
Thermometer—A MUST!! The thermometers here in the lab are not always accurate.
Negative Sleeves: Package of 25 Print File negative sleeves for each format of film (35mm, 120mm, etc..)
Can of Compressed Air: Helps to clean dust off your negatives.
Gray Card: Kodak 18% gray card.
Envelopes: 10” x 13” clasp envelops for turning in assignments.
Matt Board and Mount Tissue (will have more on this later in the semester)
Optional Equipment: Tripod, flash, lens cleaning solution/lens tissues, cable release and silver metallic
sharpie (for marking contacts)
Suggested:
Inexpensive 4x loupe
3-ring binder or dust free "binder case."
Apron (chemicals ruin clothes).
Scissors, pencils and a pad for taking notes on your developing times etc…
Notes on Buying Supplies
Local Dealers:
Camera Co-op
801 Durham
713-522-7837
Houston Camera Exchange5902 Richmond (just west of The Galleria) 713-789-6901
*Camera Co-op offers student discounts, so take your ID. They sell used equipment at fairly reasonable
prices.
Mail Order: Companies include Freestyle (800-292-6137), Calumet (800-225-8638), Abbey Camera
(800-252-2239) B&H Photo (800-947-6628; www.bhphotovideo.com). You don't have to pay tax, but do
pay shipping. Ask the following: Is the item in stock and available to be shipped? When will it be shipped
and when will it arrive? What is my order number?
Repair: Try Camera Care Center, 2113 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77098, (713) 521-1441.
Be sure to tell them you are a photo student and need your camera back ASAP because of this course.