Introduction to Photography: ARST 2200
Course Syllabus: Fall 2009
MWF 3:35 - 5:30pm
Visual Arts Building Room S280
Instructor: Sarah Laurentius
Email: Sjlaure1@uga.edu
Office: S284 Visual Arts
This course is designed to introduce students to photography as a fine art. Students will
primarily work with traditional black and white film and processing in the dark room,
with the exception of a digital photography lesson later in the semester. This course
will focus on three main components; the first and most important being technical skill
in making photographs. The class will study the functions of the 35mm camera and
learn how to use it to successfully make a photograph. We will also study how to
successfully develop negatives in the lab, and finally how to create a final print in the
darkroom. The second component of the class is to be able to create conceptually
rigorous work. Consequently students will be able to discuss and write about the his/her
individual work and the work of his/her peers in a critical and educated manner. The
third component of the class will be to understand and discuss photography, especially
the student’s individual work, as part of larger understanding of fine arts. To achieve
this, the class will briefly study the history of photography, read articles about
contemporary photographers, and discuss how culture, past and present, influence their
work.
CLASS STRUCTURE
This class meets 3 days a week, MWF. Class time will consist of lectures, work time,
and critiques. In class work time is not optional, be sure to have your film ready to
print. (Processing negatives should happen on your own time.) In addition to in class
work time, the lab is open for students to work in between classes, in the evening and
on weekends. You will find a schedule for the open lab on the door. It is impossible to
complete your assignments in class, so plan on making use of the open labs.
Cell phones and laptops are not permitted in class without the permission of the
instructor.
For most assignments you will be required to shoot 2 rolls of film (36 exposure) or 3
rolls (24 exposure.) At the time of the critique you will be required to turn in the
developed negatives, contact sheets, and the required number of prints, all in the
appropriate plastic sleeves tucked into a 3 ring paper folder with your name on it!
GRADING
Students are required to attend every class. Be sure to arrive promptly at 3:35pm. Each
student is allotted 3 absences before a letter grade drop. Three tardies and/or
combination of early exits equal 1 absence. If you miss six or more classes prior to
midterm, you will be automatically withdrawn from the class. It is vital to attend
critique days, as your participation is a large part of your overall grade. If external
circumstances prevent you from attending on those days please email me promptly.
Projects:
Final Project:
Participation:
Quizzes:
Written work:
60%
20%
10%
5%
5%
The majority of your grade is based on your finished product as well as the process you
took to arrive there. In addition, your participation in class and critique, your score on
quizzes and written work and your overall effort will contribute to your final grade. The
final project will be more complex then the rest of the assignments and will count as
20% of your grade.
Late work will be deducted one letter grade for every day late.
After each critique you will receive a grade, as well as comments on your assignment.
You are free to make an appointment with the instructor to discuss your assignment
further.
TEXTBOOK
Horenstein, Henry. Black & White Photography: A Basic Manual. 3rd Ed, Revised
Students are responsible for reading the outlined sections on schedule in preparation for
the next classes’ discussions and demonstrations. Quizzes will cover information from
both the text and in-class demonstrations.
Instructor will provide handouts of additional reading for class discussion and
enrichment.
Supplies:
1. 35mm, SLR, manual operation camera with a working in-camera light meter and
one normal length lens (50mm)
2. 12+ rolls Kodak Tri-X, 400 ISO (Black & White Film)
3. Ilford Multigrade IV, RC – 8x10 inch photographic paper semi-matte or glossyno matte (can purchase in 25 or 100 sheet packs)
4. 35mm plastic negative holder sleeves (they come in packs of 10, 25, 100 get the 7
strips of 5 frames) (archival!)
5. 8x10 inch plastic sheet sleeves for holding prints (archival! and be sure they have
the three holes to fit in the binder.
6. Binder for holding handouts, negatives, prints, etc. (at least 1”)
7. Paper or notebook for taking notes (something that you can fit in a purse or
camera bag would be handy.)
8. A folder with three prongs to turn in assignments.
9. Dishtowel or small hand towel
10. 8x10 Gray card
Optional:
1. Cable release, if your camera does not have a self-timer
2. Anti-static cloth (for cleaning negatives)
3. Point & Shoot digital camera with at least 4 mega-pixels (for digital portion of
course – cameras will be provided if student does not have one)
4. Tripod- also can be provided
5. can of pressured air- for cleaning negatives
Local Photo Suppliers:
1. Wolf Camera – Alps Shopping Center (for film and small packs of paper)
Online Suppliers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
www.adorama.com (best selection of used 35mm cameras)
www.bhphotovideo.com
www.calumetphoto.com
www.freestylephoto.biz
PREREQUISITE: ARST 1070
The course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations announced to the
class by the instructor may be necessary.
All academic work must meet the standards contained in “A Culture of
Honesty.” All students are responsible to inform themselves about those
standards before performing any academic work.