Course Description

GMD 105 is an introduction to digital cameras and digital photographic manipulation. Through application of theory, students explore the digital image workflow including the following: Adobe Photoshop software, image compositing, color correction, acquisition techniques and output technologies. Other topics will include a brief history of digital imaging and its application within commercial and fine arts. Note: In order to access the multimedia and graphics labs outside of class time, students must register for GMD 094L or GMD 097L.

Student Learning Outcomes

Define and apply elements of camera control specific to digital photography 

Differentiate and utilize appropriate computer hardware for digital imaging 

Evaluate and apply appropriate digital printing methods 

Create a variety of conceptual and aesthetically interesting images using digital imaging software and hardware

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge of general principles and key terms regarding digital still photography

Explore scanners and digital still cameras

Develop a basic understanding of Adobe Photoshop CS4

Explore the history of Digital Imaging

Student Responsibilities/Requirements

Completion of all assignments, exercises and exams

Class Participation (contributing to classroom discussions and/or in-class projects)

Attendance to all lectures and labs

If you miss a lecture, it is your responsibility not mine, to find out what you missed

In the event of an absence, please refer to your syllabus for missed course work

One Gallery/Museum report. You can access more information by going to www.daybell.com/galleryreport. Students should be advised this assignment requires an off campus visit to a museum or gallery. The college does not provide transportation; therefore, students should make arrangements as needed.

All student work is to be collected by the end of the course. Unless otherwise arranged with the instructor, projects that are not collected by the end of the course will be destroyed.

Text, Materials, Supplies and Subscriptions

Elaine Weinmann and Peter Lourekas, Photoshop CS4 for Windows & Macintosh (Visual QuickStart Guide); Peachpit Press

A 3-month subscription to Lynda.com at student discounted rate

Removable memory, such as a Flash Drive, CD-R or personnel external Hard Drive

Print Card, which can only be purchased in room S-102 across the breezeway from the bookstore

Epson Photo Quality Paper (at least one 20 sheet package)

Miscellaneous mounting and/or presentation materials

Other expenses may vary from student to student

Attendance Policies

Each student is allowed 3 absences per semester

Each absence beyond the 3 allotted will lower your final grade by 2.5%

Each tardy is equal to 1/3 of an absence

Grading Policies

70% of your grade is determined by project-based assignments:

· Assignment #1: Scanogram, 100 points or 10%

· Assignment #2: Transforming the Ordinary, 150 points or 15%

· Assignment #3: The Unreal Person, 200 points or 20%

· Assignment #4: Surrealist Landscape, 250 points or 25%

30% of your grade is determined by:

Video Lectures, 100 points or 10%
Gallery Report, 100 points or 10%
Attendance, 100 points or 10%

Late work (work that is turned in after the assigned due date) will not be accepted without documented extenuating circumstances

Grade challenges are strongly encouraged to be petitioned within six months of the end of the course

All materials for grade challenge are the student’s responsibility to collect and store

Academic Dishonesty: I reserve the right to fail any student who has plagiarized or in anyway turned in work that is not their own. That said; if you’re having difficulties keeping up with deadlines, make an office appointment to discuss any possible solutions.

Classroom Policies

No sleeping, closed eyes or dozing off, please do what it takes to be alert for all lectures

No use of cell phones, including text messaging even during lab or a break

No food I can smell

No inappropriate language

No inappropriate use of facilities especially the Internet

Students, faculty and staff have the right to a campus that is free of harassment. But as an institution with higher ideals, we expect more. We want a campus where people treat each other with respect, both physically and verbally. Let's be clear: any abusive or offensive behavior on campus is inappropriate, even if it's not bad enough to be "illegal" harassment. We prohibit on our campus all types of mistreatment and misconduct based on someone's race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and so on. For example, students, faculty or staff may be disciplined or fired for inappropriate behavior, even if what they do doesn't violate the law. We have a higher standard. Let us all behave accordingly.

Disclaimer

Throughout this course students will be exposed to artwork from diverse points of view. Although questionably offensive artwork is always placed in an appropriate historical and artistic context, the right of individual students who choose not to be exposed to said work is recognized. If any student feels he/she would rather opt out of any or all of the slide and/or video lectures, please bring those concerns to the instructor’s attention prior to scheduled lectures. However, if students decide to opt out of any lectures, he/she will still be responsible for completing the regularly assigned projects and/or exercises.

Dates to Remember:

Refund February 19th

Add February 19th

Drop without a “W” March 5th

Pass/No Pass March 5th

Withdrawal April 2^nd

Alterations and Addendums to Syllabus

Instructors reserve the right to make alterations and/or addendums to syllabus, such as: extra credit, calendar changes, course changes, due date changes and project revisions. If and when changes occur, appropriate and timely notice will always be given.

Mentry Hall 121: Photography Lab and Equipment Checkout

Hours

Monday-Thursday 7:45am-10pm

Closed Friday-Saturday (may be open at end of semester)

Contact

Photography Lab (661) 362-3267

Nick Garcia (661) 362-3984

nick.garcia@canyons.edu

Note

Always remember to Back-up all work onto another disk. “I didn't have more than one copy and my computer deleted it," is not an extenuating circumstance.

February

08 Introductions – Email Check - Syllabus - Expected Supply List – daybell.com – Mac Lab Overview

10 Introduction to the Digital Image

15 Holiday

17 Assignment #1: Scanogram – Introduction to File Formats - Demonstration: Flatbed Scanner

22 Working on Assignment #1

24 Desktop Printing Techniques – Output: Inkjet, Chromogenic and other output options

March

01 Working on Assignment #1

03 Essential Training: The Interface – Essential Training: Basics - Demonstration: Digital Still Camera

08 Working on Assignment #1

10 Assignment #2: Transforming the Ordinary – Gallery Report - Assignment #1: Scanogram Due (100 points) - Critique

15 Working on Assignment #2

17 Essential Training: Photo Manipulation - Essential Training: Photo Adjustments

22 Working on Assignment #2

24 Essential Training: Selections - Essential Training: Layers

29 Working on Assignment #2

31 Assignment #3: The Unreal Person - Assignment #2: Transforming the Ordinary Due (150 points) - Critique

April

05 Spring Break

07 Spring Break

12 Working on Assignment #3

14 Essential Training: Photo Retouching - Essential Training: Painting

19 Working on Assignment #3

21 Image Compositing for Photographers

26 Working on Assignment #3

28 Assignment #4: Surrealist Landscape - Assignment #3: The Unreal Person Due (200 points) - Critique

May

03 Working on Assignment #4

05 Layer Mask in Depth

10 Working on Assignment #4

12 Blending Mode Magic

17 Working on Assignment #4

19 Camera RAW - HDR and beyond

24 Working on Assignment #4

26 Assignment #4: Surrealist Landscape Due (250 points) - Critique

31 Holiday

June

02 Digital Portfolio Review