Name____________________Period__________Date________________
Digital Photography
Mrs. Feist
kfeist@tahomasd.us
Welcome to Digital Photography! Fine Art credit, 8 or 9, or CTE credit option
Learning:
In this class students will learn how to use a single-lens reflex digital camera (DSLR digital cameras, Nikon and
Canon), and they will learn basic photography skills, both technical and artistic composition. Students will learn the
basics of the camera, as well as some of the manual settings of the Nikon, DSLR digital cameras. We also use Adobe
Photoshop CS 2014 to edit photos; including but not limited to scale, photo levels for contrast, black and white,
adding an area of color to black and white, erasing around parts of an image, blending layers, and adding text,
We will follow the guidelines of the Washington State EALRs for the visual arts:
EALR 1: The student understands and applies arts knowledge and skills.
EALR 2: The student uses the artistic processes of creating, performing/presenting,
and responding to demonstrate thinking skills.
EALR 3: The student communicates through the arts.
EALR 4: The student makes connections within and across the arts (dance, music,
theatre, and visual arts) to other disciplines, life, cultures, and work.
High school proficiency of visual art skills states that:
Students become visually literate thinkers and creators as they examine, produce, and present original work. They
use aesthetic criteria to analyze and respond to art and make connections across disciplines, cultures, place, and
time. They study career paths related to the visual arts (photography).
Students will also follow elements and principles of design as a base for their art knowledge as listed in EALR 1:
Elements of Art: line, shape, form, texture, color, value, space
Principles of Design: repetition, pattern, contrast, emphasis/dominance, variety, balance, movement/rhythm,
proportion, harmony/unity.
Key terms:
Camera Body, ISO (film speed), Aperture, Depth of field, Shutter Speed, Lens (18-55mm) and (55-200mm),
Photoshop and terms of the program
Digital Photography themes:
Don’t Center the Subject, Rule of 3rds, Non-Distracting Background, Lines to Make Your Eye Wander, Action Shots,
Close-ups, Distance Shots, Framing, lighting,
Expectations:
Students will follow all school rules and expectations for Tahoma Jr. High, and failure to follow school rules will
result in standard school discipline. In addition to school rules, students will be expected to self-monitor their
behavior while “out on assignment” and taking photos. Failure to do so may result in a student’s loss of privileges
to leave the classroom.
REP! Respect, Effort, Pride: Students will show REP while moving through the hallways on assignment. Example:
students walk quietly, without talking, strait to the outside or common areas where they are allowed to take
photos. No talking, peering through windows, waving at teachers or friends in classrooms, joining friends in the
lunchroom, or stopping to chat with students in the halls.
In addition to school and classroom rules:
1) Students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning. Be proactive and use time wisely when
given the camera for assignments. Take a lot of photos!
2) Be a cooperative group member when asked to work with others. Students will be asked to pair and share
answers, to share cameras with group members, and work together on some assignments when collecting
photographs and/or creating projects.
3) Treat equipment with respect and pride. The cameras and equipment are very expensive. Use neck strap when
taking photos and when carrying the camera around.
4) Never claim someone else’s photos as your own! This is plagiarism! Both parties will lose points if found that
students are sharing work. If you take the photo, it’s yours! Do not let others take credit for your photo, even if
you were together taking the photo.
5) Only turn in photos once, not for multiple assignments! If you have a great photo that seems to fit for several
assignments, you can only turn it in once. You are expected to take new photos for every assignment (except
for the final portfolio review at the end of the semester).
6) Follow procedures for signing in/out cameras and downloading photos.
Assignments/Grading:
Projects: 70% of classroom grade (following criteria and the completion of classroom assignments/projects)
Classroom participation, citizenship: 15% of grade. . .Includes responding in a journal about the “Photo of the Day”
and following classroom rules. Also, students will be graded for their use of class-time and responsibility for
cleaning up and following classroom procedures.
Leadership Points: 5% of grade, students will receive leadership points by having adults check off their leadership
matrix as they complete tasks. Loss of the matrix for the semester will result in students losing points they have
acquired thus far.
Tests/ end of semester portfolio (CBPA= classroom based performance assessment): 10%
Materials:
You are not expected to own your own DSLR camera. All photography will take place on campus. If you do have an
SLR camera, you may use it to take photos at home (but it is not a requirement). You can bring it to class if
approved by your parents.
Memory Card: Every student is encouraged to have an SD memory card. You can use it to save your files from
school and to use in the camera. All cameras are provided with a memory card. A jump drive works to back up files
as well.
Checking out Cameras: This is to be determined. Depending on how well students demonstrate the above
requirements for how to care for cameras and equipment, the teacher will determine if students have shown
enough responsibility to check out cameras.
**If a camera is checked out, it must be returned to Mrs. Feist the following day, before school starts or during
tutorial.
Digital Cameras at Home: Again, this is not a requirement; however having a digital camera (not cell phone) to use
at home can be helpful and is encouraged. All photographs turned in for this semester grade must be taken this
semester by the student who is claiming the photography.
Keys to success:
-Be on time and in your seat when class starts.
-If you are making up an absence please check the entry task you missed; all learning goals and entry
tasks are located in the handouts folder on the public folder under kfeist. This is student responsibility!
-Be focused when given and assignment and start the current assignment immediately, the semester goes
a lot faster than you might think!
-Always show REP when outside of the classroom or you will lose privileges, which can affect your grade!
-Back-up your assignments on a flash drive, and always save to the public folder! I have at least 5 students
who have lost their work per semester and it is sad and can result in a poor grade.
Student Signature____________________ Parent Signature ____________________Date_______