Mr. Brian Hill
Rm. 112
Patch High School
Instructor Bio
Originally from Indiana, I graduated from Indiana University with a double major: Studio Art and US
History. I also have BS and MS degrees in Education. I have been an art teacher for 23 years. My first
DoDDS assignment was Seoul American High School (1994-98) and from there I went to Kadena High
School (98-2009). This is my 6th year at Patch High School and I think we have a very strong arts program.
Welcome to Photography!
Contact Information
I can be reached via email at: Brian.Hill@eu.dodea.edu
You can reach me by phone at : 430-1970
My planning Periods are: 0930-1100 on Black days and 0800-0925 on Gold days
Website: http://teachersites.schoolworld.com/webpages/BHill/
ARH401: Digital Photography
GRADE LEVEL: 9-12
COURSE LENGTH: 18 or 36 weeks
Textbook
There is no text for this class
Major Concepts/Content: In this course students will explore digital photography and related
technologies for the production of Fine Art. Projects will require exploration and experimentation. The
integration of technical skills and aesthetic expression are emphasized along with a study of photographic
themes and important artists associated with those themes. Emphasis is placed on the principles of
photography.
CAVEAT: Students will not use profanity, obscenities, or sexually explicit images to create or display art
work as determined by the DoDEA educators.
Major Instructional Activities: Students will be given assigned readings and writings that are relevant to
the subject matter. Using equipment, hardware, and software, students will create, manipulate, and enhance
projects individually and as part of a group. Students will participate in classroom discussions related to the
topics.
Major Evaluative Techniques: Students will be required to demonstrate the proper use and care of
photographic tools, hardware, and software. Student work will be evaluated for originality, craftsmanship,
effort, time utilization, and quality with consideration given to individual students’ talent, experience,
and/or limitations. Both written and oral tests will be used to evaluate knowledge of course content.
Essential Objectives: Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
 Identify the uses of the basic technology and various components necessary to the use of digital
photography
 Produce works of art
 Use digital imaging equipment and software in the production of artwork
 Identify, analyze, and synthesize the elements of art and principles of design as they relate to
photography
 Identify the ethical and unethical uses of photography as an art form in the New Millennium
Grading Policy
Patch High School values the partnership of teachers and parents to promote the success of all students.
Towards that end, all teachers at Patch High School use the GradeSpeed program. GradeSpeed is an online
program that enables parents and students to check their grades on an ongoing basis. Using the program
allows student progress to be monitored between the traditional formal progress reports. Each teacher is
required to post at least one grade a week .
Evaluation of all assignments will be based on the following rubric adopted from College Board:
A = Work is of extremely high quality
Shows clear evidence of thinking
Piece is inventive and imaginative
Piece has a successful composition
Artist demonstrates skill with chosen media
Artist displays confidence and will to take risks
B = Work is of high quality but shows some inconsistencies
Shows evidence of thinking
Mostly successful composition
Technique is strong in most areas
Artist is fairly confident and decisive
C = Work demonstrates success inconsistently
Some ideational development
Some technical competence
Sense of purpose/direction
D = Sense of effort but problems and ideas unresolved
More competent technically than conceptually or vice versa
Lacks sense of exploration
F = Little thought or awareness
Poor technique and composition
DoDEA Grading Scale:
90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 = C
60-69 = D
50-59 = F
Assessment
All work will be evaluated via critique. Each assignment has a point value. Assignments will be weighted
based on the amount of time needed for completion. Although students will be involved in the critique
process, Mr. Hill assigns all grades.
The semester exam will count for 20% of the semester grade.
Homework/Late work
Late assignments will receive a 10 point deduction per day late. All due dates will be posted on my
website. Check the site regularly for changes or adjustments to due dates and assignments.
Participation
It is extremely important students attend class regularly.
GO PAWS
Students in AP Studio will utilize the graphic organizers and the problem solving techniques (problem?
assets?,work it out, solution) consistent with the Patch High School improvement plan.
Calendar
Below is a tentative schedule and is likely to change. Keep an eye on my website for changes.
Quarter 1
Week 1: Introduction to photography/Auto settings/PowerPoint; Peer portrait Assignment
Week 2: Landscapes (auto settings)
Week 3: Night photography (auto settings)
Week 4: Action Photos (auto settings)
Week 5: Introduction to exposure: ISO
Week 6: Aperture
Week 7: Shutter Speed
Week 8: Depth of Field
Week 9: Quarter 1 Review
Quarter 2
Week 1: White Balance
Week 2: Color Swap
Week 3: Color Accent
Week 4: Stitch Photos
Week 5: Story Boards
Week 6: Photo Illustration
Week 7: Macro Photography
Week 8: Story Boards
Week 9: Semester1Review
Quarter 3
Week 1: City Scapes
Week 2: Street Photography
Week 3: Photoshop and other editing programs
Weeks 4-6: Studio Ad Project
Weeks 7-8: Fashion Shoot
Week 9: Quarter 3 Review
Quarter 4
Week 1: Introduction to AP Studio 2D/Concentrations
Week 2: Concentration #1
Week 3: Concentration #2
Week 4: Concentration #3
Week 5: Concentration #4
Week 6: Concentration #5
Week 7: Portfolio Review
Week 8: Photo Collage of 2011-12
Week 9: Semester 2 Review
Materials
Patch HS will provide cameras and computers for kids to capture and manipulate images. Depending on
enrollment, students may have to share equipment. Students will be required to demonstrate the proper use
and care of photographic tools, hardware, and software. It may be beneficial to students to provide their
own cameras. Any digital camera will work. If a student does bring a camera to school, it is their
responsibility to secure it.
If a student handles school equipment carelessly, that student may be required to provide their own
equipment to complete the course.
Each student will also need a school issued laptop and will need to use Google to send homework images to
themselves at school.
Support Services:
Students can see me during seminar, during lunch, or after school for additional instruction or to ask
questions.
Students can access the above website as well as other College Board AP Studio Art posters and materials
for guidance.
If you have any questions or concerns about the course, please contact me via the above email address or
call the school at 430-1970.