Course Syllabus

Fall 2024 | ART-1310-VM01 - Digital Photography I

In Person Class

Standard courses meet in person at CCV centers, typically once each week for the duration of the semester.

Faculty

Kurt Budliger
View Faculty Credentials

Hiring Coordinator for this course: Jennifer Gundy

General Education Requirements

VSCS Arts & Aesthetics

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

Students will explore the mechanical and electronic aspects of digital photography as well as the basic tools of image manipulation. The course also includes the study of design, composition, and aesthetics of digital images. Basic computer skills are required.

Essential Objectives

1. Identify and describe the basic functions and components of a digital camera.
2. Review the differences and similarities between digital and traditional photography.
3. Explain mechanical and electronic aspects of digital photography.
4. Discuss and give examples of principles of composition, design, lighting, and aesthetics in photographic images.
5. Describe and demonstrate the use of various tools of electronic image manipulation, such as selection tools, dodge-and-burn tools, brightness and contrast controls, filters, paint tools, cloning tools, sharpen and blur tools, and the smudge tool.
6. Create, transfer, and store digital images while demonstrating an understanding of the relationship between file size and image quality.
7. Examine, discuss, and critique artwork, including references to diverse art historical, social, and cultural contexts.
8. Critically examine socio-cultural biases and influences represented in major and minor trends in photography.
9. Investigate the messages and meanings of photographic expressions as a vehicle to positively impact social change and explore aesthetic traditions.
10. Design and complete individual projects.
11. Create a portfolio of digital images and display finished works in a professional manner.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course only uses free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials. For details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

Methods

Class will be a mix of in person lecture, class discussion, demonstrations, hands on practice (making photographs, processing and printing), as well as online references and resources in the form of articles and video tutorials.

Evaluation Criteria

Students will be evaluated on the quality and completeness of work as well as class participation using the corresponding and published rubric for each assignment.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Your growth and development as a photographer and artist is directly related to the amount of time you put into learning and practicing the craft. There is no substitute for time on task. An equally important aspect of learning photography is regular reflection on one’s work as well as the work of others. During the course we will have regular shooting assignments that take place during the week. Most of these will be based on a particular photographic theme to focus your efforts, but some will be open ended.

A major part of these assignments will require the sharing of images for feedback and critique in the form of Image/Discussion Posts calledShoot & Share. Your participation in class discussions as well the discussion forum (sharing images and providing feedback to others as specified in the assignment) is critical to not only your success in the course, but the success and growth of everyone else in our class community.

The expectation is that you attend class and participate in class discussions. Missing 3 or more classes will result in failing grade for thecourse.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Some assignments may be completed late. However, there will be a 10% reduction in the maximum grade for every week assignment is late. Final Portfolios can not be turned in late.

Shoot & Share assignments will be closed after a specified day and time (noted in each assignment). Afterward, no late contributions will be accepted and therefore no points awarded if you didn’t participate (typically 30 points).

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity