Advanced Photography
Lyn McCracken, Instructor
Ish Ishmael, Lab Tech, Friday Open Labs (8am – 4:00)
“You don't take a photograph, you make it.” - Ansel Adams
Course Description and Expectations:
This course is designed for you to explore the photographic image beyond the
basic compositional techniques. The first quint is entirely devoted to shooting
assignments introducing you to new ways of seeing and thinking. During the second
quint we will discuss editing, making fine prints using archival and master printing
techniques. We will also explore mixed media and presentation ideas. Quint three will
give us an opportunity to work on a group project and/or continue with the previous
quints concepts. Quints four and five will culminate into producing a strong series of
work either conceptually or pursuing a documentary theme. Digital image-making
assignments and opportunities will be sprinkled throughout the year.
Tuesdays will always be a lecture class to introduce assignments, discuss our
goals, and go over other relevant material. Thursdays will be open labs for developing
film, making prints, and completing shooting assignments. It’s imperative for you to
attend all Tuesday classes and the first and last class of each quint. If you must miss any
class please let me know. Remember you have Friday (all day open labs) to catch up on
lab work. The darkroom is always closed the last week of each quint.
Grading:
Your work will be kept in a binder and handed in at the end of each quint. You
will keep a chart on each assignment. I will initial and grade each entry as you have
completed the assignment. We will have group critiques at the end of each quint
encouraging responses from both your peers and me.
It is difficult to evaluate creative work, as it is subjective, but for our purposes
here we must have grading criteria that inspires engagement rather than just completing
the work. The following perimeters are something we can work with:
A = you put thought into the assignment, completed it on time, and were
successful (accurate metering, solid printing techniques, strong presentation).
B = you put thought into the assignment but struggled with the results (metering
is off, camera problems, need to increase printing skills).
C = you did the assignment for the assignment’s sake. Work appears rushed
(many mistakes and boring image-making) or sloppy (poor printing, really bad metering).
D = you showed up to class and participated but didn’t turn in the assignment.
F = you didn’t show up to class or do the assignment.
Your final term grade will be the average of all assignments. - or + will possibly be
given in final grade evaluation depending on organization of binder and overall class
performance. Late assignments will result in the lowering of your grade.
Advanced Photography students should consider themselves stewards of the darkroom
and photo lab. Please help keep the darkroom and classroom clean and mentor others
when needed.
Darkroom and Classroom Etiquette:
1. No food or drink in the Darkroom. Classroom is okay but not while developing
film.
2. No cell phones visible in classroom or darkroom. If you need to use your cell
phone, step out into the hallway.
3. You may listen to music either through headphones or use the darkroom CD
player. If you use the darkroom CD player make sure everyone in the darkroom
is fine with your music selection(s).
4. Don’t use other people’s supplies or go through their binders without their
permission.
5. Leave work areas the way you found them (or even better).
6. If something is broken, let Ish or Lyn know. Things break and it might break
when you’re using it. Don’t worry, we want to fix it.
Supplies:
Materials needed to successfully complete this course will be supplied by NWS Photo
Program. Your book account will be charged $150 for these supplies. In some
circumstances, depending on your usage or interest, you may need to purchase supplies
on your own (film development, special types of film or paper).
“Photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in
an ordinary place... It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do
with the way you see them.”
Elliot Erwitt