Photo 1
Instructor: Craig Mohr
Course Description
This is an introductory course to photography. You will learn the basics including camera techniques and
artistic considerations. Using a 35-mm SLR camera and natural light you will shoot assignments on slide
film only. The assignments will emphasize exposure, depth-of-field, composition and image quality.
Email: smcphoto@catfishfarms.com
Required Text: a short course in PHOTOGRAPHY 5th Edition by Barbara London and
Jim Stone
Required Equipment & Supplies
 35mm camera with manual controls, functioning light meter and standard lens (50mm).
 35mm color slide film / E-6 process / Kodak Ektachrome / Fujichrome or Agfachrome / ISO 100 or
400 depending on assignment.
 Notebook for class lectures
 Notebook for recording assignment data
 Vinyl slide presentation pages
 10x13 envelopes for assignments
 18% Graycard, Kodak or equivalent
 4x or 6x magnifying loupe for viewing slides
 You will spend approximately $250-$300 in supplies and materials for this class. This does not
include the cost of a camera.
Optional Equipment & Supplies
 Additional lenses
 Tripod
 Cable release
 Hand-held light meter/Minolta/Sekonic/Gossen
 Light box for sorting slides
Assignments
 There will be approximately 10 shooting assignments that will comprise approximately 90% of your
grade.
 Assignment subjects will include Depth of Field, Motion, Lighting, Color, Portraits, Night Photography,
Texture, Photo Essay etc. plus the Final Portfolio Assignment. Assignments will begin with basic
camera controls and exposure exercises and progress to more creative, personal projects.
 All slides must be mounted and labeled with student’s name and assignment name. Ask your Lab.
 All assignments must be in a 10x13 envelope labeled with student’s name and assignment name and
date.
 Shooting data must accompany each slide
 Exposure (f-stop & shutter speed)
 Lighting conditions (e.g. front lit, direct sun, mid-afternoon)
 Focal length of lens used
 Any special information (panned camera, etc.)
 Outtakes may be included with assignments if they are clearly marked as such. They may be
alternate solutions.
Tests
 There will be 1 written quiz and a written final exam. They will count approximately 10% of the course
grade. Advance notice will be given for the quiz. The final will be the last day of class.
 Class lectures, discussions and the required text will be the basis for all quizzes and tests.
Class Attendance
Attendance is recorded daily at. It is your responsibility to make sure your attendance is recorded. 2 late
arrivals will equal 1 absence. If you are absent 3 times you will be dropped from this course.
Absences due to illness, religious observance or personal emergency will be excused upon receipt of a
written note.
Students who wish to drop the class must do so at the Admissions Office.
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Do not rely upon your instructor to drop you. This is not an instructor’s responsibility.
Students accidentally dropped can be re-instated by instructor at any time.
Academic Assistance
Please see the instructor if you find yourself having difficulty at any time in this class. You can be directed
to the appropriate counselor, resource centers, tutor or workshop.
Special Considerations
Students with special needs (physical access, learning disabilities, medical restrictions, etc.) should notify
the instructor if they feel that their interests will be better served by the instructor’s awareness of these
needs. If a condition exists that might require the instructor or fellow students to have special knowledge
of emergency procedures, please inform the instructor as soon as possible.
Academic Honesty
The academic honesty policy of Santa Monica College will be strictly enforced. Do your own work.
Grading Policy
 You will be informed of your grades and supplied with a list of missing assignments during the
semester so you can monitor your progress and meet with the instructor to clear up any errors in
grade reporting.
 Late assignments will be penalized 1 grade per class session late. (i.e. “A” work will receive a “B”
grade). You will receive a zero if an assignment is not turned in at all.
 No assignments can be turned in more than 2 weeks late.
 You may redo 2 on time assignments. The better of the two grades will be counted. The second
version will be held to a higher standard.
 All redo assignments must be completed within 1 weeks’ time of its graded return. Turn in the first
assignment with grade sheet and the redone assignment clearly labeled as such.
Any missed assignments due to excused absence must be turned in the day you return to class.
Criteria For Grading Projects Ask yourself these questions before turning assignment..
 Did you meet the project's requirements?
 Was it turned in on time?
 Did you follow directions?
 Did you shoot under proper conditions?
 Did you provide all information requested?
 Do you have a variety of shots showing different subjects, angles, horizontals, verticals, etc. when
possible? Are your shots interesting to look at and well composed? Or not?
 Is your film properly exposed? Too thin? Too dense?
 Did you use interesting lighting? (different times of day, different angles of light, etc.
 Did you attempt original ideas or concepts? Alternative solutions.
 Are the images in focus sharp?
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A (90-100) - you outdid yourself, went way beyond the requirements of the assignment, and
excelled in all areas.
B (80-89) - you completed the assignment successfully and demonstrated exceptional skills.
C (70-79) - you completed the assignment but showed no unusual strengths or effort.
D (60-69) - you barely completed the assignment.
F (59 or below) - you need help.
Photo 1 Assignment #____________________
Student______________________________
On time
Satisfied objectives
Basic requirements
Film Exposure
Focus
Depth of Field
Camera shake
____
____
____
++ Excellent
+ Very Good
+/- Good
- Need Help
____
____
____
____
Composition
Point of interest
Background
Use of frame
Use of color
Simplicity
Uniqueness of expression
Lighting
Presentation (data/packaging)
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
Other_______________________________
____
Grade _____
SOURCES
E-6 Processing labs
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Camera & Film Suppliers
A&I Color
1550 17th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310 264-2622
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Bel-Air Camera
10925 Kinross Ave.
Westwood, CA 90024
310 208-5150
933 N. Highland Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
323 856-5255

Calumet Photographic
1135 North Highland Ave
Hollywood, CA 90038
323 466-1238
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Samy’s Camera
585 Venice Blvd
Venice, CA 90291
310 450-8590
Colortek
Culver City, CA 90232
310 202-1984
Paris Photo Lab
1961 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
310 204-0500
SD Color
2422 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA
310 396-5811
431 S. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
323 938-2420
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Trader Jim’s Camera
4349 Sepulveda Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90230
310 398-5919