Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

• Solve problems in the art making process using a variety of strategies for making photographic images and prints, which demonstrate an introductory level of skill in the processes, techniques and materials associated with digital photography.
• Participate in a critical dialog about ideas and issues in digital photography using industry vocabulary and self critiquing skills.
• Interpret and critically evaluate prints from many cultures to initiate a life-long process of studying the diverse perspectives of the human experience.
• Express connections to personal experience through a digital photographs with awareness of the standards and practices established by both contemporary and historical artists.

Students will engage in studio work during and outs of class time to critically engage with the practical studio application of skills, techniques and concepts in addition to lectures and presentations, demonstrations, critiques, group discussions and activities.

• Actively engage in studio work and complete all projects and homework assignments on time
• Develop photographic images, prints and projects that are aesthetically and formally challenging and demonstrate the student’s evolution through beginning level ideas and processes.
• Demonstrate sound foundational level photographic technique and safe and efficient studio habits with respect to the communal environment and equipment
• Participate in discussions and critiques. Take an active role and make contributions applying concepts and terms used in the discipline.
• Evaluate both technical approaches and conceptual directions in photographs through comprehensive responses, critique, self reflection, written assignments and peer review.

Themes

• Visual communication
• The photographic image as a tool for expression
• Explore new directions in digital photography.

Concepts

• Formal and aesthetic considerations
• Connections between content, form and meaning
• Consideration of presentation materials, prints and technique

Issues

• Better understanding of the digital medium, the specific possibilities and challenges inherent to digital photography and the reasons for their exploration
• Historical knowledge of photography
• Awareness of the wide spectrum of photography’s influence and impact on daily life

Skills

• Foundational methods and strategies for developing and completing photographic images
•     Technical knowledge of the camera, lens and manual exposure controls
•     Aesthetic effects of the use of lens, shutter and aperture for creative control
•     Essentials of Lighting; design and modification
•     Strategies for generating Ideas
•     Processes for printing and displaying images
•     Curating images and prints
•     Best practices for print presentation; matting, mounting, installation
• Digital tools
•     Management and organization of files
•     Basic workflow and editing in industry-standard software  (ie: Adobe CC/ Photoshop)
•     Non destructive editing practices
•     Post capture editing options - exposure, contrast, density, color
•     Layering, masking, use of blending modes and adjustment layers
•     Best practices for color management and viewing environments
•     Basic considerations for printing via a photographic printer
• Critique and self-reflection strategies for evaluating images and prints
• Studio Safety