LEARNING TO PHOTOGRAPH

COURSE OBJECTIVES
Introduce photography as a sublime and profound means of communication
Develop Visual Literacy: your ability to communicate ideas and emotions using pictures and symbols
Teach the mechanisms of the camera and their uses
Provide a solid foundation of knowledge which will help you excel in further studies, particularly in darkroom courses.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS:
A 35mm camera featuring manual operation
Color slide film: Budget for 4 rolls, at $7-10 a roll, plus processing

CLASS SYLLABUS

Week 1:
Lecture: Cameras, films, light meters and exposure
Assignment # 1: Exposing Film

Week 2:
Discussion: Assignment #1, Exposing Film
Lecture: Creative Controls-- Aperture, Shutter and Critical focus
Assignment # 2: Reciprocal Exposures

Week 3:
Discussion # 2:, Reciprocal Exposures
Lecture: Lenses, Lenses, Elements of Photographic Composition
Assignment #3: Exploring Composition

Week 4:
Discussion #3: Exploring Composition
Lecture: Visual Selection-- determining the subject, camera position, framing, creative controls, the decisive moment
Assignment #4: the Wraparound

Week 5:
Discussion #4: the Wraparound
Lecture: Understanding Light, intro to black and white

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