Heartland Community College
Master Course Syllabus
Division name: HUMANITIES & FINE ARTS
COURSE PREFIX & NUMBER: ART 180
COURSE TITLE: Beginning Photography
DATE PREPARED: 09/95
DATE REVISED: 8/24/05
PCS/CIP/ID NO: 11 500605 01
IAI NO. : ART 917
EFFECTIVE DATE OF FIRST CLASS: 1/96
CREDIT HOURS: 3
CONTACT HOURS: 6
LECTURE HOURS: 0
LABORATORY HOURS: 6
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
Fundamentals of black and white still photography. Historical development of the medium. The role
of photography in contemporary visual expression, including contributions from diverse cultures. The
course emphasizes photographic seeing, camera operation, use of aperture and shutter settings for
aesthetic and sensitometric control, film processing, printing, use of natural light for personal
expression and communication, and appropriate instruction in the health and safety issues relative to
the methods of the course and the materials being used. Students will need to provide their own
35mm camera equipped with manual capabilities to change lens opening and shutter speeds.
TEXTBOOKS:
Horenstin, Henry. Black and White Photography: A Basic Manual. New York, New York: Little,
Brown, 2005.
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY:
ART 180 fulfills 3 semester hours of elective credit for the A.A., A.S. or A.A.S. degrees. It should
transfer to most colleges and universities as an elective course. However, since it is not part of the
General Education Core Curriculum described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative, students should
check with an academic advisor for information about its transferability to other institutions.
ART 180 articulates as the equivalent of the IAI baccalaureate major course ART 917, and as such,
credit earned for ART 180 at Heartland Community College should count toward a baccalaureate
major in art when students transfer to a participating Illinois four-year college or university.
However, students should always seek the advice of an academic advisor or admissions counselor
when making transfer plans. Refer to the IAI web page for information as well at www.itransfer.org
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes):
Outcomes
General Education
Outcomes
1. Describe major applications
of photography, major
photographers and styles, and
basic tools and resources used
in photography today
Quizzes, exams, journal entries
and critiques
2. Demonstrate the use of the
camera with technical control of
film, aperture, and shutter speed
appropriate to various lighting
conditions to achieve specific
visual effects
3. Demonstrate technical and
compositional means to make
photographs more effective
when dealing with various
subject matter
4. Communicate personal
expression through the
photographic medium
5. Develop a working
knowledge of basic traditional
black and white materials and
processes
6. Demonstrate a competent
knowledge of the characteristics
of light sensitive materials,
exploring the camera and its
functions as a tool for
producing effective
photographs
Range of Assessment
Methods
Demonstrations, quizzes,
assignments, journal entries and
photographic portfolio.
Demonstrations, quizzes,
assignments, journal entries and
photographic portfolio.
PS 4
Individual and group critiques
C0 5
Assignments, exams, quizzes,
journal entries and portfolio
CT 2
Assignments, exams, quizzes,
journal entries and portfolio.
7. Develop skills and attitudes
consistent with becoming a
professional photographer
8. Recognize and understand
photographic expression from
diverse cultures and
backgrounds
Assignments, exams, quizzes,
journal entries and portfolio
DI 5
Quizzes, exams, journal entries,
and critiques
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
A.
The role of photography in contemporary life.
1.
What photography is and is not; and how it differs from other media.
2. How photographs record space and time.
3. Major styles, subject matter and techniques in contemporary photography.
4. Historical development of the medium, including major photographers of different
cultures, backgrounds and locales.
B.
Learning how to see photographically and use the language of photography.
Use of natural light.
Composition.
C.
How the camera records an image.
1. Attributes of different films.
2. How aperture controls light and changes the image.
How the shutter speed controls the light and changes the image.
The Daylight Exposure System.
Control of spatial elements through selective focus, depth-of-field, and hyperfocal focusing.
Time as a photographic element and the selection of shutter speeds for stopped or blurred
motion.
D. Techniques of processing negatives.
1. Lab procedures, including proper handling of equipment and chemicals and
environmental concerns.
2. Time, temperature and dilution of chemicals as controllers of negative densities and
contrast.
E. Printing from negatives.
1. Printing procedures and proper use of chemicals.
2. Image control through use of filters, burning and dodging.
F. Responding to photographs.
1. How the photograph reflects and portrays individuality.
2. Factors in evaluating photographs.
3. Resources for viewing photographs, including galleries, museums, books, periodicals
and new imaging media.
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Student evaluation will be based on the following: Examination based on reading assignments,
lectures, technical projects and class discussions; 10 technical assignments; student presentations, and
final portfolio. A final grade will be determined by the following:
Assignments
Presentations
Exams
Final Portfolio
Participation
15%
10%
25%
40%
10%
Final grades will be determined according to the following scale:
92 to 100% = A
83 to 91% = B
74 to 82% = C
65 to 73% = D
Below 65% = F
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
Each photographic assignment requires a written component found in the photographer’s Journal. In
addition, portions of examinations will require writing. Readings from the text and from outside
sources will be assigned by the instructor on a regular basis.