ARV 214 Photography II                                                                                              Spring 2006

The Department of Visual Arts                                                               Greenville Technical College                                                     Greer Campus 

 

Lead Instructor:  Blake Praytor, MIEd, M.F.A.   Office: 301-234      E-mail: praytorr@gvltec.mailcruiser.com

 

Class Meeting:   Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.     Room: G 301/244

Instructor:           Blake Praytor, MIEd, MFA

Office:                 G234

Office Hours:      M, W 11:00 am-12:00, 1:00-2:45 pm, T 10:00 am-12:00, 1:00-3:30 pm

Phone:                 848-2024        Call848-2023 for appointments.

Email:                  blake.praytor@gvltec.edu.com

 

Prerequisites:     ART-111Drawing I, ARV-114 Photography I, ARV-121 Design     

Credit Hours:      3  

Required Texts

Ansel Adams: Basic Techniques of Photography, John P. Schaefer

Photography Logbook, Blake Praytor

Supplemental Texts

Reverse Symbolism Dictionary, Steven Olderr

Symbolism, A Comprehensive Dictionary, Steven Olderr

Photo SPEAK Giles Morara

Seizing the Light, Robert Hirsch

Photography, A Cultural History, Mary Warner Marien

The World History of Photography, Naomi Rosenblum

Course Description

This course covers advanced projects in photography, including studio work.  Students will work with both medium and large format cameras.  Assignments include studio and location lighting for portraiture, product illustration, architectural photography and/or a special group project.  Students will work with both black and white and color films.

Course Purpose

  • To fine tune the skills acquired in ARV 114, Photography I.
  • To become skilled in the use of medium and large format cameras.
  • To illustrate abstract thoughts.
  • To participate in a juried exhibition.

 

Course Objectives

Students who complete ARV 214 with 70% accuracy or better will:

 

      1.    demonstrate the ability to illustrate abstract concepts using the 35mm camera and by producing 6 -11" x 14" black and white prints

2.    produce Polaroid prints that demonstrate 5 different studio lighting techniques for portrait photography.

3.    demonstrate a facility in the use of the large format camera in the studio by photographing a product layout using proper camera mechanics, lighting and    tabletop techniques.

4.    demonstrate a facility in the use of the large format camera on location by photographing a building exterior according to the instructor's direction.

5.    participate in a group project by creating an exhibition or by participating in an existing one.

6.    demonstrate by using the appropriate materials selection and usage for adequate preservation and presentation of photography.

7.    demonstrate research ability in the history of photography by making a 10-minute power point presentation on the life and work of a photographer.

 

Students will:

1.    complete seven (7) projects.

2.    perform all assignments carefully and submit each one at the appointed class session.

3.    contribute to each critique discussion by engaging in open criticism of others' work.

4.    complete written assignments as determined by the instructor.

5.    complete a final written exam as determined by the instructor.

6.    participate in the care and operation of the photography facility.

7.    complete all reading assignments of texts, handouts and the workbook.

8.    expose and develop black and white and color film and enter the data in the film-processing log.

9.    submit a completed final portfolio as defined in the syllabus.

 

Projects:

1.      "In My Room"     35 mm or120 mm      B&W

2.      Sins or Virtues     35 mm or120 mm      B&W     Color

3.      Portraits                               120mm     B&W     Color

4.      Table Top            4x 5                          B&W     Color

5.      Architectural        4x 5                          B&W     Color

6.      Power Point Presentation

7.      Group Project      TBD                     TBD

 

 

Grading and Evaluation

Grades will be determined by averaging scores on worksheets, tests, assignments, final portfolio, work ethic and participation in pin-ups and critique sessions.

 

Assignments                    30%           

Group Participation         10%

Final Portfolio                 50%      

Work Ethic                     10%                   

Total                              100%

 

Labs and Scheduling

The photography facilities are for the exclusive use of the Department of Visual Arts students currently enrolled in the photography curriculum or current students who have successfully completed photography courses at Greenville Tech and/or have the permission of the department chair. The labs are available during open lab hours only, do not interrupt someone else's class.

 

Photo Lab: Room 239

A schedule is posted on the door. The use of the darkroom during scheduled classes by students other than those in that class is at the discretion of the instructor.

 

Photo Studio: Room 244

Schedule is posted on the door. It is mandatory that any student wishing to use the studio sign up. This can be done on the door. All requests to use the facility or equipment by those other than enrolled students in photography must be approved by the chairman of the department or the Visual Arts department administrative assistant, Teresa Ballard in room 236.Unauthorized use of any facility will result in loss or suspension of privileges.

Additional Information

1.      Students are responsible for keeping all areas of the labs and darkroom clean and ready to use by the next class.

2.      Report any problems immediately to the instructor. Unauthorized use of any facility will result in loss or suspension of privileges.

3.       A schedule will be made for each class assigning each student a day on which they will be responsible for setup and cleanup in the darkroom.   The scheduled student is responsible for finding a substitute if needed.

4.      Open lab days in the schedule do not mean that a student has free time; it means students have time to work in the darkroom. If this time is used wisely, most work can be done during class time and very little outside darkroom work will be necessary. Stay ahead of the schedule and always be prepared with work to do in case a lecture gets cancelled. Things happen, especially in photography, expect it, never wait until the last minute to get the work done. 

5.      I never accept late work or allow make-up work.

6.       If work is handed in on time (assignments only) students can redo the work for a better grade. If a student did not do the work in the first place, a grade cannot be replaced. Instructors only grade finished work, not what "could have been".

7.       If a student knows ahead of time that they will be absent, tell the instructor about it and turn assigned work in early.

8.      Assignment sheets are provided in the workbook with the specific instructions for each project. Read these sheets carefully for instructions!

9.      A grading sheet is included with the project information. Student name must be on the grading sheet and turned in with projects. Students will receive a breakdown on their grade for the project.  Students should label each photograph so they will know which grade goes with which photograph.

10.   Work turned in for this class must have been created for this class and created completely by the person turning in the project.

11.  Students may never copy the work of others, nor use the work of others for their own benefit. Cheating (which includes direct downloads from the Internet) on any test, assignment or paper is not permitted (students are encouraged to have the writing center proofread your paper, but they will not write it for students).  All written work will be checked using software designed to detect plagiarism.  Refer to Visual Arts policy and guidelines for punishment of violations.

 

 

Participation and Work Ethic

The participation grade is determined by the amount of time a student works in class, out of class and the amount of effort made to improve over the semester. The printing/film processing journal turned in at the end of the semester is your evidence of what you have done over the semester. 

 

Critique Sessions

Students will be graded on participation in critique sessions. As the semester progresses students will learn various terms and ideas that will help to express opinions about the work of other students. If a student is uncomfortable speaking in this type of situation, talk to the instructor about it and ways will be found to help students learn to feel more comfortable. Many students find it difficult to speak negatively about other another student's work, but individual grades will depend on the ability to get over this reluctance.

 

Records

3-ring binder notebook containing:

1. Negatives in sleeves.

2. Contact Prints.

3. Work Prints (sleeved)

 Completed Photography Log Book

 

Photographic Journal

It often proves valuable for the student to carry a small journal or notebook in the field while making photographs. The instructor uses inexpensive blank books and illustrates important exposure data with restaurant reviews, marvelous thoughts and pure egocentric thoughts. But in the end it is always important to have the shooting data available.

 

Safety

If a student is pregnant or planning on getting pregnant during the semester, it is not advisable you take this course.  Appropriate testing has not been done to prove or disprove problems with pregnancies and the use of these chemicals.  If a student has any health concerns that would keep them from taking this course talking to the instructor at this time would be recommended. If a student has asthma or other respiratory problems, instructions or equipment may be needed. There will be handouts issued during the safety/darkroom introduction lecture, if a student is absent, the student will be responsible for contacting the instructor for the information before beginning to use the darkroom. Be sure to understand all of the information given in the lecture and on the safety sheet.

 

Worksheets, Quizzes, Final Exam

1.      The worksheets are very important because it is the method for monitoring your progress in this course. Worksheets are not accepted late without an acceptable excuse. If you are going to be late or absent, send your worksheet with another student, put it in my box ahead of time or you cane-mail it to me.

2.      The readings and lectures will provide all quiz information.

3.      Quizzes cannot be made-up, unless student has a written excuse for your absence. Make-up quizzes must be taken the next time a student is in class.

4.      If a student is not in class by the time a quiz is handed out, the student may not take that quiz.

5.      The final exam will be cumulative, reflecting quizzes, class lectures, and handouts throughout the semester.  Organized notes are necessary to prepare for the information on the final.

 

Be prepared to do a substantial amount of outside work is required of the student. The majority of your actual photographic exposures will be made outside of scheduled class time. Students are encouraged to ask for input on works in progress.)

 

 

 

Local sources

1.      The Greenville Tech bookstore- photographic paper and film, portfolio boxes and sleeves for negatives and prints. 

2.      Spartanburg Photography, Pinewood Shopping Center- cameras and some supplies. Ask about a student      discount.

3.      Cameras Unlimited 271.2029 Lloyd and Debbie, 641 Wade Hampton Blvd. - new and used equipment. They have the largest selection of film and paper in the area. They give student discounts.

4.      Hunter Photo, Wade Hampton Blvd. used equipment and cameras. They also repairs cameras on-site. Inform them you are a student and the camera is needed to meet class deadlines.

5.      J&D Photo on Augusta Road- lots of B&W film.

 

 

Mail-order

Showcase                      1-800-886-1976       www.showcaseinc.com
Freestyle Sales Co.       1.800.292.6137        www.freestylecamera.com
B&H Photo                   1-800-947-9930        www.bhphotovideo.com
Calumet                       1-800-225-8638         www.calumetphoto.com
Camera world            1-800-729-8929           www.cameraworld.com
KEH cameras            1-404-892-5522           www.keh.com

Abbey Camera          1-800-252-2239            www.abbeycamera.com

 

FILM PROCESSING

TNT Color Labs   22Woods Lake Road          235.8573    Roll & 4 x 5     E-6    C 41

J & D Photo         1922Augusta Road               242.2294    Roll                 E-6    C 41

 

 

 

Supplies for Class

CAMERA / SHOOTING

  1. A reliable, basic 35mmsingle reflex camera. This camera must have a manual mode.
  2. A sturdy tripod.
  3. Neutral Density Filter (ND #1, #2, or #3).  A polarizing filter will function as a ND filter.
  4. Skylight or UV filter for your camera lens. Check thread size on your 50mm lens for size, i.e. 49mm, 52mm, 55mm.
  1. 18% Gray Card.
  2. Lens cleaning fluid.
  3. Lens cleaning tissue.

 

FILM and PAPER / DARKROOM

  1. 35mm black and white film in appropriate speeds for a variety of subjects.
  2. 120 mm black and white film in appropriate speeds for a variety of subjects.
  3. 4 x 5 black and white sheet film ISO 100.
  4. 4 x 5 color negative sheet film ISO 100
  5. Polaroid film - Type 664BW, Type 669 Color, for 120 Backs
  6. Polaroid film - Type 54BW, Type 59 Color for 4 x 5 Holder
  7. A two-reel tank --plastic or stainless.
  8. 2 - 35mm reels for processing film, plastic or stainless.
  9. A two-reel 120 stainless steel tank.
  10. 2- 120mm stainless steel reels.
  11. Variable contrast filter set for printing with multi-grade paper (either 3" or small mounted filters).
  12. A magnifying loupe for viewing negatives.
  1. Negative sleeves,35mm and 120mm
  2. A 100-sheet box of8 x 10 VC photo paper for work prints and contacts.
  3. A 50 Sheet box of11 x 14 VC Fiber Base photo paper, glossy surface.
  4. A large three-ring binder for your negatives and contact prints.
  5. Canned air, anti-static cloth or anti-static brush.
  6. A towel.
  7. Film cleaner.
  8. 000 or 0000retouching brush.
  9. Q Tips in Ziploc bag.

 

PRESENTATION: PINUPS / PORTFOLIO

  1. 16 x 20 White archival mat board for presentation of work in window mats.
  2.  16 x 20 Portfolio box for your final portfolio, Light Impressions.
  3. 11x 14 White archival mat board for presentation of work in window mats.
  4. 11x 14 Black mat board for presentation of work (Transparencies) in window mats.
  5.  11x 14 Portfolio box for your final portfolio, Book Store.
  1. Emery boards.
  2. X-Acto knife.
  3. 12" metal ruler.
  4. White linen or paper tape, archival.
  1. Clear tape.
  2. White eraser/rubber cement eraser.
  3. Fishing tackle or tool box to store small tools and supplies.
  4. A locker for your supplies. You may bring a lock and use a locker in Room 232 or use a locker in hallway.