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SDCC Photo Program |
Information for Students in David King's NOTE: For Students new to the new facility see data in the right hand column below the calendar dates. |
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Class
Specific Data:
THE NEW CTC
BUILDING: PIX and SCHEDULE Links to Other Photo Related Sites
NEW!!! |
INTRODUCTION: This section of my web site is primarily for students in my photo classes at San Diego City College, however any photo student or enthusiast is welcome. From this page, once into the specific course sections, you can download copies of assignments, handouts/datasheets, and other technical data from the middle columns. Because there is a growing list of materials, I've arranged the list below into sections based on my specific classes and then sorted by type of document within those categories. Some data sheets are quite large and complete with photo-illustrations so please be patient while they download.
On the left and right edge columns of the class sections you can read more general course information. if you are thinking about taking one of my courses this is a good place to start.
In this top section, on the left are links to pages with student data for the Photo Program's other instructors, news about the new building, Photo Program news and events. There are are also quick links to let you jump down to one of my specific class's section without having to scroll through this introduction every time.
On the right are my schedules and other data on the classes for the current semester and just below this intro section is my semester calendar.
I would highly recommend that all students also read the general class rules which have been updated and my introduction of Web Enhanced classes. These are toward the bottom of this page. Those rules will also be in your course outline handout but since you will be graded on some of this material you need to make sure you have read and understand it. Also we are limited to how many pages we can have printed at a time for handouts so this contains additional data and more detail that you might find to be important. Especially note the section on plagiarism or using work done by someone else. This, as with all forms of cheating, is a zero-tolerance issue.
This is a college and not a day camp for grade-schoolers. If you find yourself making endless excuses for being late with assignments or missing class or poor work, or you think it is OK to plan a vacation during the semester, read this.
For specific class information or resources, scroll or link down to the class or section needed, then look down the list to find the document you want, then click on it. If the item is shown in cyan COLOR it is available to access. If it is in GRAY then it is not yet online or is being revised.
And there is a page where I've listed the text books and other recommended reading materials and reference works for the classes. There are links where you can go directly to Amazon to order the books usually at a discount over retail prices. To visit that page, click here. STUDENTS PLEASE NOTE:
Because of the shrunken course offering due to the budget cuts we have far
more students wanting to take a class than we have seats available.
Instructors are being told that if a student does not show up for the first
day's class we are to automatically drop them to make way for those on the
wait list and who managed to show up for class. We are also be prohibited from
giving out any Late Add Codes so be warned: the day of shopping for classes
for a few meetings and then crashing the course you want are over.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ACCESSING COURSE FILES AND
DOCUMENTS LISTED BELOW:
If your computer has the software that can read these files then when you click on the title most browsers will either just open the document or ask you if you want to open or save it and you can review it then save to your own disk if you wish. Some browsers, or on computers which do not have the software, will only ask if you want to download or save the file and you will be prompted to tell it where you want to save it. And others, like Mac OS 10.5 will simply download it as if nothing has happened then you will need to open it in the correct application.
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SPRING 2012
SPRING BREAK April 2-6
Photo 143 Photo 243 Photo200A Photo 203 Photo 245
CTC BUILDING DIRECTIONS For those returning students who are not familiar with the new building here are some directions and tips. The address is 1081 16th Street. Photo is on the 4th and 5th floors. All of my classes will start in classrooms on the 4th floor, usually in V408. To get there, take the elevator or stairs to the 4th floor. From the elevators, turn left then left again and go (south) down the long hallway. 408 is the 2nd room on the right. The
parking garage is on the west side of the building, You can park in it
starting on the 4th level. in each section is an overhead sign telling
who can park there. But NOTE: the ceiling clearance is only
6'8" so if you have a tall vehicle be sure to measure it before you try
and find yourself wedged into the garage.
PARKING. For Spring semester construction has closed many parking areas and will have traffic flow and parking totally messed up, especially at the start of the semester before parking permits are mandatory. Give yourself plenty of time to find parking! |
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PHOTO 102 and 103: Directed Lab Studies |
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Photo 102 and 103 are lab classes that were conceived of as providing extra time to work on projects. They are NOT classes to teach lab fundamentals (eiher film or snesor based) and you will be required to have either Photo 100 or 143 or be taking one of them concurrently. |
Photo 102 and Photo 103 are our versions of the "open labs" run by every other photo school in the galaxy. In our case, an instructor is available to help you in your work and assist with any issues or problems you may have. If you have had the basic class appropriate to the work you want to do you may work in the film-based wet labs or in the computer labs assigned for that class section. The instructor may suggest and/or demonstrate new techniques for you to enhance your work but this is not a course intended for the beginner to learn or be taught basic fundamental skills.
It is designed to allow you additional lab time to work on your class assignments using the darkroom or computer lab or to do your own self directed work to hone your skills. In order to receive credit for the course, at the end of class you will have to turn in to the instructor 4 prints or files that you have worked on during the semester.
We have added the 103 class numbers simply to allow for more repetitions of the class. Take the 102 class 4 times and then you can take the 103 class 4 times.
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There are several sections of this class run during the semester. If you sign up for one of them you can utilize ALL of them. We cannot go over CAP or under Minimum in numbers of students so we may have to enroll you in one of the sections other than the time slot you can actually work. |
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PHOTO 143 Introduction to Digital Photography (A Web Enhanced Class) |
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Photo 143 is our program's entree point into the world of Digital Photography. It covers basic materials such as digital jargon and glossary, explains how digital cameras work and the best ways to achieve the maximum quality image. Primarily a photo "capture" class it also get into the basics of color management, digital printing and display, and, of course, into photo editing just as you would be in the darkroom in a film-based class. if you have not already done so, download the Course Syllabus. We will be going over this in detail at the first class meeting. CAMERA
NEEDS: The editing tool we will use in our classes is Photoshop since that is the industry standard. If you use something else you will have to be able to translate functionality from class material to your own software. THIS IS A WEB ENHANCED CLASS! (Continued in far right column...) |
PLEASE NOTE: Other Sections of this course are taught by different Instructors who will have their own approach, assignments, and materials. The material below was created specifically for my own classes though in some cases it may overlap and be of some value or interest to other sections as well. IS
THIS THE CLASS FOR ME? (PDF) View & Order Textbooks from Amazon NEW Photo Program Rules/Guidelines MUST READ!!!
Course Outline (Doc)
ASSIGNMENT HANDOUTS Assignment
1: Your Best Shot
POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS Powerpoint
Presentation 1: Course intro, overview TECHNI CAL DATASHEETS Datasheet:
Digital Photography Glossary Software: Rawker Free
RAW converter for Mac Essay: How much
(Photo) Gear is Enough? Website: Depth of Field Calculator
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ALSO:
SIGN UP IMMEDIATELY FOR THE PHOTO 102 LAB STUDIES IF YOU WANT THE CLASS OR IT
WILL BE CUT BY THE DISTRICT BEFORE DAY 1. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ON IT,
EMAIL ME BY CLICKING HERE.
NOTE:
Unless otherwise noted
These are the presentations given
in class. You will need PowerPoint
on your computer in order to run and view these presentations. Some
browsers like Internet Explorer can run a powerfpoint slide show. These are not
self running. When they open use a mouse click or the Enter Key to
advance each element.
Note: Some third party RAW
converters may not real all types of camera RAW formats. |
Regarding the DSLR camera requirement, you can wait for class to discuss this in detail but be aware that you can rent a DSLR from us Camera store for approxmately $100.00 for the semester (depending on model). WE have a limited supply and it is a 1st come-1st served basis so act accordingly. If you cannot manage this requirement, check into financial aid or perhaps taking the Photo 105 class where having a specific level camera is not a requirement would be a better fit for you at this time. The problem is that Photo 143 is a foundational class that serves as the pre-requisite for more advanced courses where the camera knowledge we cover will be a requirement. Point and Shoot cameras will not allow us to cover mandatory data. Download the PDF File: IS THIS THE CLASS FOR ME for more insight into Photo 143 Text Books for For students new to BOTH photography and Digital: Alternatively, for students with a film background but new to
digital: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED books on "seeing" and composition for photographers: "The Art of Seeing" "The Photographer's Eye" by Michael Freeman RECOMMENDED books on getting started with Photoshop: "PhotoShop CS4 for Photographers" by Martin Evening (the text for the 180 and 181 classes) NOTE: As a California Community College student you can order
Photoshop and other software at very good discounts. Compare: |
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PHOTO 204 Creative Techniques (A Web
Enhanced Class) |
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(Also see the versions of this course presented by Professor Eichinger which include Infra-Red, Pinhole Cameras, Plastic Cameras, etc. These 204 classes are fun ways to pick up those techniques and approaches you always wanted to do.) For Fall Semester 2011 I will be giving several sections of the 204 class. some will be the first 8-weeks and some the second 8-weeks. The classes will be cover doing HDRI, Macro and Close Up, printing on canvas, and making digital negatives for printing in the darkroom with modern or historic techniques.
THIS IS A WEB ENHANCED CLASS! We will be using Blackboard/Vista to enhance the class for project submission, grading, etc. Once our roster is set (usually starting with the first day) then you can log on with your Usernames and Pass words which is your CSID and your Birthday.
...Cont. on Right Side |
Course Syllabus/Outline:
Photoshop Techniques
MACRO ASSIGNMENTS
Macro
Assignment 1: Detail/Close Up
HDRI ASSIGNMENTS
HDR Assignment 1: Realistic HDRI
CANVAS PRINTING ASSI GNMENTS Canvas Assignment 1: Prep file for canvas Canvas Assignment 2: Print image on Canvas Canvas Assignment 3: Stretch / Mount Canvas Canvas Project: Portfolio of 4 images framed or wrapped
DIGITAL NEGATIVE ASSIGNMENTS Datasheet: Making Digital Negatives (PDF) Sample Test Wedge File (.jpg) to download DigiNeg Exercise 1: make & print Test Wedge Neg DigiNeg Exercise 2: Make print from Test Wedge Neg DigiNeg Exercise 3: Create Correction Curve DigiNeg Exercise 4: Test and tweak Correction Curve DigiNeg Project: Portfolio of 3 prints from Digital Negs
Sample Grading Form
POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS Macro and Close-up Photography Printing on Canvas Concise Guide to Color Management
TECHNICAL DATA SHEETS URL: Academic Discount for Photomatix HDR Datasheet:
Macro and Close-Up Photography |
Some Outlines,
Class Assignments and datasheets are in MS Word format. Some are large
files with illustrations so be patient as they download. |
...Continued from left. I will assume a basic knowledge of Photoshop editing steps and workflow issues however we will review these issues early in the course.
To produce the work I will expect you to use your own photographs. If the version of the class you are in is a techniques class then you need not take new shots but can pull from your OWN "stock" collection. For shooting classes (such as HDRI and Macro) you will need to shoot specifically for class assignments.
This is predominantly a lecture/demo class so you will need to have access to your own computer and/or take the Directed Lab studies when the computer lab is available if you need computer access to complete assignments digitally or if you need darkroom access to complete assignments in film.
This class is being run for 8 weeks only. That means we will be cramming a lot of material into a fairly short course and turn-around for assignments will also be shorter. Missing a class will make it extremely hard to catch up so if you know of events coming up that will interfere with your being able to attend every class session i would advise you to wait and take the class when you 0know you will available for all sessions.. |
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Photo 180 and Photo 181: Digital Imaging |
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Photo 180/181 is a follow-on to Photo 143 Intro to Digital Photography and will cover techniques and processes involved in editing and retouching photographs.
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NOTE: I am not teaching this course for this semester. However I'm leaving the assignments and handouts online for your review and additional data. Photo 180 Project
1: Layers - Retouch - Portrait Photo 181 Project
1: Layers - Retouch - Fashion DATASHEETS: Datasheet:
Digital Work Flow Diagram
(PDF) |
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PHOTO 200-A Creative Techniques (A Web Enhanced Class) |
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THIS IS A WEB ENHANCED CLASS!
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NOTE: I am not teaching this course for this semester. However I'm leaving the assignments and handouts online for your review and additional data. Course
Syllabus/Outline View & Order Textbooks from Amazon NEW Exercise
1: Lighting ratios and percentages Datasheet: White Balance
NEW!
URLs Susan Cox's Photo
Styling Workshops and Courses Here is an interesting blog site all about lighting:
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Class Outline /
Class Assignments
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If you have taken this course from one instructor, I strongly encourage you to also take it from any others who might teach it for their unique perspective on the subject. Lighting is crucial to successful commercial work but it is also very personal in style. The more different approaches to it you can try, the better able you will be to develop your own unique style. You can do it as an Independent Study. |
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PHOTO 220: Portraiture: (A Web Enhanced Class) |
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THIS IS A WEB ENHANCED CLASS!
The portrait class is about taking more than just pictures of people showing what they look like, it is about making picture of people that display to the viewer some aspect of the subject's personality. We will be discussing lighting (in studio and on location), wardrobe, props, posing and of course camera equipment. Continued on Right... |
Class
Outline/Syllabus View & Order Textbooks from Amazon NEW
PROJECTS/ASSIGNMENTS Project:
Talent Headshot Written Assignment: Portrait Photographer
Video: Simulating Mats in Photoshop
DATASHEETS Datasheet: White Balance
NEW!
Map: San Diego to Borrego Springs Meeting Spot (PDF)
LINKS/URLS: Online Lighting
Diagram Creator
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MODELS & SITTERS Since you will need 7-12 or more male and female "sitters" for your projects and final portfolio, start early to round up subjects! Getting subjects to pose for you may be the hardest aspect of the class! Consider working with the other students to switch off shooting and posing. Few things will better help you to understand the process from the sitters perspective than being one yourself.
FOR SOME INTERESTING EXAMPLES OF VARIOUS MODERN APPROACHES TO
PORTRAITURE:
MAKEUP & HAIR The Cosmetology Program will provide makeup stylists and hair dressing if you make arrangements with Sudie Phillips (sphillip@sdccd,edu)
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Photo 230: Advertising Photography |
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THIS IS A WEB
ENHANCED CLASS! The advertising class is about taking photographs that will be used to help advertise products and services. Almost all advertising is also destined for printing as brochures, sell sheets, flyers, catalogs, etc. so we will be addressing those issue as they relate to and will help the photographer prepare their images for the client. It is an advanced class for serious students who will be willing to put a great deal of time and effort into producing professional quality assignments. |
NOTE: I am not teaching this course for this semester. However I'm leaving the assignments and handouts online for your review and additional data. Class
Outline/Syllabus View & Order Textbooks from Amazon NEW Project: Small Product - Studio FINAL PROJECT: Datasheet:
Lighting Terms and Glossary Map: San Diego to Borrego Springs Meeting Spot (PDF) URLs RESULTS OF DEMOS SHOT IN MY CLASS CAN BE ACCESSED BY
CLICKING HERE. |
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PHOTO 240: Large Format Photography |
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NOTE: I am not teaching this course this semester. However I'm leaving the assignments and handouts online for your review and additional data. Datasheet:
View Camera Operations |
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PHOTO 243 Advanced Digital Photography (A Web Enhanced Class) |
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This is the advanced class in general digital photography and will introduce you to some special digital techniques while honing your fundamental capture and editing skills. The prerequisite is Photo 143. We normally recommend that you take Photo 143, then Photo 180, and THEN Photo 243, using 180 to build your photoshop/editing skills but it is not mandatory. THIS IS A WEB ENHANCED CLASS!
Continued on Right... |
Sample Grading Form (PDF) How
to Turn in Assignments/Projects View & Order Textbooks from Amazon NEW
PROJECTS & ASSIGNMENTS Project:
HDRI DATA SHEETS:
POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS Powerpoint: Extending Depth of Field
SOFTWARE/ESSAY LINKS Software: Memory Card Recovery From Calumet Essay: How much (Photo) Gear is Enough? URL: Academic Discount for Photomatix HDR Website: Source for 3D glasses and viewers
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... continued from left CAMERA NEEDS |
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PHOTO 245: Nature and Landscape Photography |
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For Spring Semester 2010, the Landscape Class field trips will be to: µ
3 Day (Fri-Sun): Owens Valley and Alabama Hills. µ 4 Day (Thur-Sun): Death Valley NOTE: Students will be responsible for their own lodging, food, and transportation on the field trips however ride and room sharing can significantly reduce costs. FIELD TRIP DATA THIS IS A WEB ENHANCED CLASS!
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View & Order Textbooks from Amazon NEW Itinerary for 3-Day Field Trip Alabama Hills GPS Shot Locations
ASSIGNMENTS Assignment
1: Essay on Landscape Photographer Exercise: Simple B&W Film/Development Calibrations
Web Sites for Weather Forecasts:
Spreadsheet: Budgeting for a photo field trip Datasheet:
Calibration for Digital Camera URLS and LINKS URL: Academic Discount for Photomatix HDR URL: Digital Zone System Approach Article on
marketing Travel Photographs URL: Lee Peterson's Online Gallery of prints URL: Yuri Arcurs on Stock Photography URL: Nature Conservancy Slideshow
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PLEASE NOTE RE THE FIELD
TRIPS: To accomplish that we will be taking at least TWO field trips during the class. One will be a 3-day (Fri-Sun) and the other a 4-day (Thur-Sun). Though the trips are not mandatory for a grade, projects will be given and photo discus-sions will be conducted during the trips. If you want to get the most from the class you will plan on taking part in these trips; or at least one of them. You will be responsible for your own transportation, food, and lodging so early in the class start making friends to see with whom you might like to share rides or camp/lodging to reduce expenses. I |
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These datasheets contain information that is applicable to several classes or just to photography in general. Most are about processes and technical skills For data on creating simulations of other photo technologies and approaches see the Photo 265G Section (Creative Techniques) |
Datasheet:
Basic Daylight Exposures |
MS Word |
For links to photo related web sites, jump to the "Links" page. |
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Misc Stuff That Doesn't Fit Anywhere Else: articles, essays, etc. |
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These data sheets, articles, etc. are less technical but still have some important information for photographers |
What it takes
to be GREAT (at anything)!
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Some General Class Rules & Some School/Program/Department Class Policies |
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These rules and policies are also contained in the printed syllabus or course outline you will receive at the start of class. Those printed versions will also contain guide-lines, data, and rules that are specific to that class. If you did not receive a copy of the outline in class, or if you misplaced it, you can download one in the appropriate section for your class above. VERY IMPORTANT!!! You can download a free copy of this document using the link above or you can purchase a copy from the lab or bookstore but you MUST obtain a copy, read and understand it, then sign and return the form |
Attendance |
You are expected to be in class during class periods, especially during lecture classes. I may, depending on the specific class and equipment availability, allow you to use certain class times to help complete assignments outside of the classroom, but you must first get my permission, let me know where you will be working, and how that will be furthering the assignment's completion*.
At grading time I will count attendance and class participation as the equivalent of a project (about 1/7 to 1/10th of your grade depending on how many projects we are able to complete), so it can help or hurt you.
Also take note that after the 3rd unexcused absence I am encouraged by the administration to drop you from the roster. However I will not do so, therefore if you are actually wanting to drop the class YOU need to let admissions know. See the section below on Dropping for more data.
NOTE: I will take notice of your job-related issues and try to work with you to resolve them. But class requires you to be here and if that is not possible then you need to find a course that works better with your schedule or your grade will suffer.. I also know emergencies sometimes happen for work or family emergencies arise unexpectedly and will try to help you work around those for class needs. But emergencies are exceptions; you signed up for a college class knowing the dates and times involved. Education is serious stuff. Treat it with the respect it deserves.
DO NOT PLAN VACATIONS DURING THE CLASS PERIOD. Plan your vacations during the breaks and NOT during the normal class periods. We move quickly so it can be very difficult to make things up. You have a right to expect me to take this subject and the material seriously and give my best effort in the class from the instructional side of it. I have a right to expect the same from you from the student learning side of it. What's fair is fair... City's schedule of classes may vary a little each year but not by much so if the class or the education is important to you it should be easy to anticipate and plan your vacations accordingly. Of course if the vacation is more important then it should not bother you to take a major grade hit.... But you should not have enrolled in the class to begin with if you knew you would be missingf some important parts of it. |
*Please Note however, if you take advantage of that freedom and decide to work outside of the classroom for lab days, there will be no time-related excuses for assignments not turned in on time because I will assume you are requesting to work elsewhere because you can work so much better and faster on your own equipment or you really need this time to shoot and capture images for the assignment. |
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Lecture & Lab Classes
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Most of our photo courses are divided into Lecture and Lab classes that meet twice a week. "Lecture" is the time the instructor is passing on information to you. "Lab" includes demonstrations, field trips, interactive activities, and, of course, the time for you to be working on your projects on class time. The lab classes are an important part of your educational experience at City College. In addition to those other activities listed above, Lab classes provide you with time to work on the completion of your assignments and to use the equipment with the help and supervision of an instructor. Because we have to work around the issue of having a single darkroom (until the new building is completed) your lab day may be scheduled as either the first or second meeting of the week. Because the first week of class will likely be all lecture anyway, your instructor will let you know what the lecture/lab breakdown is for a specific class. Overall, you will be provided with a lot of lab time, actually more than the lecture time. But the breakdown may change over the semester. At the start of a semester, for example, in order to provide foundational material, you may have a lot more (or even exclusively) lecture than lab time up until you are doing projects and need the time. As the semester progresses that will even out to where we will have one day for lecture and the other for lab. By the end of the semester you will likely have much more lab than lecture time and as finals approach you may have ALL lab time to prepare final projects/portfolios. Lab Time for Studio Classes. During lab time in the studio it is obvious until we open the new building there are only two shooting stations. That means not everyone can be doing their assignments during those times and will need to sign up for studio time. But that does not mean the lab classes are to be missed. I will be there to help and answer other questions and you should be there to assist each other or at least to watch and learn. If you are working digitally bring your files in to work on the computers. If you are working with film bring the negs to use in the darkroom. Directed Lab Studies. We offer a lab only class: Photo 102. This gives you time to work in the lab outside of class periods but with an instructor present to help you as needed. It also can give you a credit but at the end of the class you will have to turn in 4 finished prints. Your instructor can provide you with more information. |
NOTE: If you want more darkroom time outside of class you need to sign up for Photo 102! |
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Dropping
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This is San Diego City College not San Diego City Kindergarten. As college students you are expected to take responsibility for your own behavior and actions. If you decide to drop YOU must alert admissions that you have done so. If you do not, at the end of the semester I must enter a grade for every name still on my roster. If your name is still on the roster but in my grade sheet there are missing project grades, poor attendance, anything that is a negative, the odds are high that your final grade will not be a good one. |
PLEASE NOTE THE DEADLINES FOR BOTH DROPPING AND WITHDRAWING FROM CLASSES! |
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Tardiness |
Being habitually tardy and walking into a class while it is in session is disruptive, rude, and inconsiderate. I will count three tardies as an absence in terms of grading.
You signed up for a class scheduled to begin at a certain time. I understand there are some times when being late is unavoidable. An increasing number of our students are coming from North County and traffic can be a nightmare, as is parking with all of the construction. Sometimes it just happens due to an accident on the road and that is unavoidable. But after you have determined how long it ought to take to get here (which should not take more than a week) try to assimilate that educational experience and be on time. Being late should be an exception not a trend. Three tardies counts as one unexcused absence according to school policy. |
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Fun Absences
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This is college. You are expected to be here because
you are committed to your education. The dates of the semester are
clearly spelled out. Vacations and other fun trips are NOT the
basis for excused absences or late assignments. We cover a lot of
material and it is nearly impossible to succeed in a class if you have missed
a couple of lectures unless you have some way to make it up. These
are NOT classes where you can just read extra material in the book; you MUST
get the material for projects and tests from the class material or other
material provided by the instructor. |
REMEMBER: It is the material presented in CLASS that tests and projects will be based on and not just the textbook or other pre-published material. |
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Grading |
Please understand clearly, grades are not an entitlement; they are something you earn. If you come into a class needing a specific grade for whatever reason, getting it will be easy and straightforward -- work hard and earn it. I do not believe in what used to be called "motivational grading" that held the foolish notion that giving students good grades regardless of work product made them feel better about themselves and want to achieve more. In practice it diminished the value and credibility of the whole system and made them not motivated but lazy since they did not have to work for them. And I noticed too that when you know you are being given something for nothing it does not make you feel better about yourself. Worse it cheated the students who actually earned their grades.
To help you feel better about yourself you need to GET better at what you do. In my opinion that "motivational" approach had the cart before the horse. I take grades seriously and so should you. This is your entree into the world of colleges and universities and may be far different from what you were used to.
In basic level classes I will grade you on effort and progress individually, not against each other. I do not "grade on the curve" because I believe that always results in arbitrarily phony grades.
In the advanced or vocational classes however, I will grade your work on appropriate but more objective standards based on professional standards. This will also give you a clue as to how you will fair out in the "real" world. Below is how I will grade different types of work. Please note the "meaning" of the grades noted below. PHOTO & WRITTEN PROJECTS: You will be given a letter grade for each project turned in from A-F. An "A" (given for EXCELLENT work as good as your skill/class level could expect) is worth 90-100 points, A "B" (given for GOOD work but with some issues) is worth 80-89 points, and A "C" (given for AVERAGE work) is worth 70-79 points. If you simply do what was requested AND the technical aspects were up to par, you most likely at least get a "C." (However "A" and "B" means you took things a bit beyond the basic requirement. You can pass the class with a "C" but if you truly wish to become a professional, or even an amateur working on a professional level of quality, you need to raise that score. Just doing the requirements of a job will not be well calculated to scoring future work in the incredibly competitive world of professional photography.) A "D" (given for POOR, BELOW AVERAGE work) is worth 60-69 points and should be a profound wake up call to re-evaluate your work, your effort, perhaps even your attitude. The simple ugly truth is that "D" work will quickly get you eaten alive in the real world. An "F" (given for FAILING work) is worth 0 -59 points. It pretty much speaks for itself...
The number score for a specific project may indicate half or intermediate grades (e.g. 85), but I can only enter full grade letters in the computer for your final grade. That final grade will reflect the range of scores noted above, i.e. anything from 90-100 is an "A", 80-89 is a "B" and so on..
You will have approximately 7-8 photo projects per semester so missing a project can have a major effect on your grade, easily a whole letter grade.
But remember, whether in basic or advanced classes, if you come to class already possessing more skills than most, I will expect to see you progress FROM THERE and will not grade positively for sleepwalking through the class. If you want more advanced assignments to keep up your interest, let me know.
TESTS : Tests will be awarded a grade based on the actual points scored compared to the possible points. 90 to 100 percent will get an "A", 80 to 89 percent will get a "B", and so on.
FINALS: Depending on the class I may give a final project such as a portfolio or a final exam... or both. A "final" project or exam is critical for your course grade and carries the grade weight of several normal projects or exams. If you do not tale the final or produce the final project it will be very difficult for you to get better than a "C" no matter how perfect your score has been on other projects or exams.
ATTENDANCE and PARTICIPATION: A grading component is your attendance and participation. It will be equal to a project so can be very helpful or very damaging to you. Act accordingly. It is your money and your future on the line. At the end of the semester the projects, tests, and attendance points will be averaged for the final course grade. The school does not allow half grades so I will round your score to the nearest whole grade. |
NOTE: You will not get a good grade from me just because you "need" it. Getting a good grade from me is easy however: earn it with good work, real effort and passion for your work. I have no trouble giving the whole class an "A" if they all have worked for it. I also have no trouble giving the whole class something less if that reflects their level of effort. You can download a copy of the grading form for reference. For Web Enhanced classes you can see the scoring in each category so you can see where you need improvement.. |
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Incompletes
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According to the catalog and district rules, an incomplete
is to be given ONLY for a health emergency that occurs at the end of the
semester and prevents a student from turning in the last assignments.
If the student was already receiving a failing grade then an
"incomplete" cannot be given. If you just have not bothered
to get the work done and have projects outstanding from throughout the class
you are not allowed to receive an incomplete. |
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More on
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Some of my courses are for entry level topics and others are for advanced, vocational topics. All of them will require you to produce finished photographic prints based on written instructions and asking you to practice the topics we will be covering in the lectures.
With each assignment you will be given specific instructions on what you are to do and, especially for lower level courses, how you are to do it; I may be far less specific for advanced level classes and assignments. These instructions may be in handouts, in download-able form on this web site or Blackboard, or contained in the assignment block on Blackboard. I will also be going over each project in class as it is assigned.
For beginning level classes, where there is a great mix of incoming experience and skills I will not be grading you in comparison to each other, only to yourself. I will be looking for effort and growth. In the advanced vocational courses I will give you "real world" types of assignments in the same manner as you would get them from an art director or photo editor and expect you to perform accordingly.*
Ask any and all questions you can think of about the assignments as they are given and before they are due. The only question I will not answer for you is which of several options you should turn in. I may discuss pros and cons of those options, but part of the process is for you to start learning to edit your own work.
Even though, in some cases, the project instructions may appear online before they are officially assigned, or you see the titles in the syllabus, I would strongly caution you about trying to do them in advance. With spectacular consistency students who do this fail to pay attention to the specific instructions that may slightly or profoundly alter what is required and then end up having to do it over. Of course any practice is good, but this can really be frustrating to you and I will have no sympathy for it. |
* The world of professional photography is one that demands not only technical excellence but also that the photographer be able to think on their feet, select the right tools and techniques from their "toolkit" and be highly motivated, self-starting, creative people. Therefore in the advanced classes after being shown what the tools do and how they effect the image, you will be expected to be able to select the right ones to best tell your own story. |
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Project Deadlines
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In the real world of photography deadlines are sacred. Miss a deadline and your work will dry up very quickly (and YOU may be liable for all losses by the client). That is a habit to start developing here so deadlines for projects are taken very seriously. You will normally have about two weeks per assignment which is about a week and six days more than you might have for a real assignment. If some emergency happens as they do sometimes, let me know in advance and we can work it out. But if I don't hear of a problem till the work is already late then it will have an impact on your grade. I will, of course accept calls from the nurse at your bedside or your mortician as a legitimate excuse. |
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Project Submissions |
FOR PRINT ASSIGNMENTS: In my classes each project requiring a print for grading will be accompanied by a written handout describing what is required and also how it is to be turned in for grading. That handout is part of the project package and I will write your grade on it and give it back. If you do not turn in a project in the manner I have specified then I will return it to you ungraded so you can correct it. I will not try to remove tape or staples or unseal envelopes or pry your work stuffed tightly into them. If it is not as requested then it doesn't exist for grading purposes.
FOR ELECTRONIC FILE SUBMISSIONS (in a Web Enhanced Class): For Web Enhanced classes you will be turning in your project files to the Assignments section of Blackboard/Vista. I will go over this procedure in class and will even have several written handouts and videos for your continued reference on it (as well as here). You will not need to turn in a handout since the instructions are right on the same page as the submissions area where you will "attach" your files. However the files themselves need to be of a very specific size and format unless I expressly tell you different in the instructions. Those specifications are:
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Plagiarism and Academic Honesty
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In the Photography program we take this topic very, very seriously and so does the school. THE PENALTY FOR CHEATING IS SEVERE: ANY form of misrepresentation, lying, plagiarism, copying others‘ work, claiming work that is not entirely your own as your own without crediting others, use of any unauthorized aids during an examination- including other students’ work, dishonesty on ANY assignment will result at minimum in an ”F” for that project and can lead to a hearing before the College's Dean of Students. Additionally, disciplinary probation, which remains on your record for five years, or suspension from the class, the program or even the College may result. Cheating or using the work of others is a conscious choice on your part. But there are NO acceptable excuses for choosing to compromise your integrity by cheating. None.
Drop this class if you feel you may not be able to resist the temptation
to cheat. In our photo program, using the work of someone else is
viewed exactly the same way. Your instructor will have no choice but to
follow the school and program policy mandated for such activities. |
Every class in the Photography program expects you to produce and submit your OWN WORK for every photo assignment. The only exception would be a written assignment asking you to bring in copies of someone's work to show examples of THAT PERSON'S WORK and never as your own. |
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Excuses |
If you find yourself needing to create excuses for missing
or late projects, absences, the quality of your work, your time or money or
whatever to be able to do the work, then read this for my personal attitude
about it. |
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Cell Phones
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Unless you are a doctor on call or a parent with a sick child at home (in which case let me know at the start of class) turn the blasted thing OFF or onto silent Ring. And do not be talking on the phone in class. If that discussion is more important than the class then go outside but don't disrupt those who are here to listen to the material. |
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Inappropriate Language in Class and Disruptive behavior
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This is about the use of foul and offensive language. Swearing in my classroom will NOT be tolerated. This is a ZERO tolerance policy. Do it once and you are out for the day. Do it twice and I will drop you from the class. Period... end of story.
I will not tolerate disruption of the class. The school has made instructor authority very clear in this regard. If an instructor believes you are interfering with the educational mission of the class, we will first ask you to cease your behavior. If you do not do so immediately we are to have security escort you from the area. We do not have to ask a second time. |
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Computer Use in Class
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Turning on a computer and working on it, or worse yet, playing on it, while I am trying to lecture is rude, discourteous, and disconcerting and will not be tolerated. The computers in the computer lab are for working on projects during time specified for that activity as "lab" time. I will give you plenty of lab time. But I will mercilessly and without warning unplug you in mid stroke or lock your computer from the instructor station if I find your nose stuck to the monitor or keyboard while I am trying to present material. Or if the email you are doing seem appropriately juicy I may simply pipe your screen through the projector se we can ALL enjoy it. Remember, at the teacher's station I can see all of your computers. THERE IS NO REASONABLE EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY in such a public system. If you work or play on the computers when I am trying to lecture then since you are not paying attention to me I will mark you with an unexcused absence for the day. 3 of those will cost you a letter grade.
ISSUES WITH BLACKBOARD/VISTA: For some reason Blackboard does not really like interfacing with FireFox, the default web browser on the student computers. Sometimes it works fine and other times not. If you are having trouble logging on or getting Blackboard to accept something, log out, close FireFox, and open the alternative Browser, "Safari" (I will show you how to do that in class). It should now work fine.
Even in Safari, when on a Mac sometimes Blackboard will not drill down into drives and folders to find the files to upload so you will need to put them on the Desktop temporarily. Blackboard has no trouble seeing files there so attach from the desktop and then delete them to clear them off the computer.
From your home computer, be sure to run the "Browser Check"
function Blackboard's login screen and follow any instructions needed to make
the access work as it should. |
REPEAT!!!! Do NOT be working or playing on the computer when I am trying to lecture or talk in class. This is one of the only actions for which I will call you out in front of the class. and I will mark you down for an unexcused absence for that day. |
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Problems with the Instructor: Due Process and Common Courtesy
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It's the real world. Sometimes problems arise. Personality conflicts just happen, or you think the instructor has done something inappropriate or even offensive to you, all of these and a myriad of other issues can arise. But if they do, and you have a complaint, a proper chain of events is in place to deal with it.
First, you need to talk to the instructor. I know this might seem intimidating but it should not be. You may as well learn now to deal with such things as it will not go away in the business world. I promise you, no instructor would hold this against you or reflect it negatively in your grades: for them the consequences of this are too dire.
In addition, they are the ones involved and deserve to have a chance to either redress the problem or explain to you why they do what they are doing.
If, for some reason, interaction does NOT resolve the problem for you then you are free to escalate your issues up the chain. Next stop would be the Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair and then the Arts and Humanities School Dean (the names of the current holders of these positions are in the syllabus). But if you have not made a good faith effort to resolve this with the instructor you will be sent back to try to do so. |
NOTE: Photography is a creative endeavor. in which a matter of style will soon arise. So is the teaching of it. Photo instructors therefore vary to quite a degree as to their teaching style. WE all must cover the same material for a given class topic but how we get there may vary somewhat. You will quickly learn who teaches how and be able to select based on your own needs. But in the end, you will progress farther by taking as many different instructors as possible. |
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Other Rules |
Other rules specific to the class will be contained in the
course outline given to you at the beginning of the semester and available
online above for downloading should you lose it. |
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INDEX OF ALL AVAILABLE DATASHEETS |
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