Digital Photography

Course Overview: Digital Photography is a full year, half credit introductory course in digital imaging. In this course, photography will be explored as a technical process as well as an art form. Students will be expected to take pictures and maintain a portfolio of work throughout the school year. 

What you will learn in Digital Photography:  History of photography and current trends in photography · Famous photographic images and Photographers · Basic photographic principles  · Digital camera operation, Point-n-Shoot and SLR · Storing and managing of digital image files · Digital image editing and manipulation with Photoshop · Design and composition principles in the art of photography · Artistic presentation of photos and prints via assigned projects · The Rule of Thirds · All of the components of the camera and their functions · Equipment used by professionals, other than the cameras 

Grading:  

Classwork  30%   

Participation  15%   

Projects  30%  

Quizzes  25%  

All work is due complete and on a timely manner by the due dates supplied at the beginning of each assignment. Work turned in late will be graded accordingly; each day late with result with a lowering of grade 5 points per day. Work turned in one week after original due date will result in a zero.      
 

Unit Outline:

1. Introduction 

    a. What is Photography?

    b. The History of Photography

    c. How is Photography used in Society, Impact on us?

    d. Careers in Photography

2. Storing and Managing Digital Images

    a. Raw Files

    b. Storage

    c. File sharing

    d. Uploading/ downloading

3. Composition and Design Principles

    a. What makes a good photo?

    b. Terminology

    c. Identification and Application of Composition Principles

4. Basic Principles of Photography

    a. Concepts

    b. Terminology

    c. The Rule of Thirds

    d. Framing

    e. Foreground/ background

5. Principles of Digital Photography

    a. Concepts 

    b. Terminology

    c. Autofocus

    d. Raw Files

    e. Histogram

6. Analysis and Critique Photos

    a. Steps to Critique Photographic Art properly

    b. Application of the analysis/ Critique process

7. Camera and Equipment

    a. Basic camera components

    b. Photographic equipment

8. Advanced Camera Use

    a. Controls and Set-up

    b. Image Zone Settings

    c. Creative Zone Settings

    d. Menu and Function Options

    e. Viewing and Erasing

9. Image Editing with Photo Software

    a. Technical and Artistic Application of Editing Images

    b. Photographic manipulations

    c. Touch ups

10. Photographer Research

                                     Composition Principles

Great DOF- Area in Front and Behind of Subject Will be in Focus 

Unity- Harmony Among the Elements in a Photo   

Simplicity- No clutter in Background, One Idea 

Rule of Thirds- Placement of Focal Point Off-Center 

Framing- Objects Around Edge of Subject 

Focal Point- Center of Interest 

Leading Lines- Design Element that Draws the Eye 

Mergers- Things Growing out of People 

Balance- Informal Equilibrium 

Get in Close- Zoom In, Move In 

Back Lighting- Creates Silhouettes  

Front Lighting- Illuminates the subject fully 

Side Lighting- Creates Shadows 

Pattern- Repeating Shapes 

Texture- A Sense or Feeling you can Touch 

Emotion- Feeling felt in a Photo 

Perspective- Converging Lines or Objects 

Angle- Position of the Viewer in Relation to the Subject 

Motion- Sense of Movement 

Shadow- Cause by Side Lighting on Subject 

Abstract- Not Easily identified 

Contrast- Difference between Lights and Darks 

Shallow DOF- Area Behind Subject Will be Out of Focus