Intro to Digital Photography

Course Description
An introduction to the fundamentals of still digital photography with a balanced emphasis on practical, technical, aesthetic, and conceptual skill sets. The student will gain general experience in digital photography through lectures, demonstrations, assignments, practice, readings, critiques, and research. The curriculum emphasizes craft, photographic vision, and visual problem solving using a digital SLR and digital darkroom processes. Visual design concepts along with historical and contemporary photographic images will be stressed with an emphasis on the traditional rules of composition and photographic design.Coursework will provide a platform for students to explore technique and process as well as their own creative pursuits. Particular emphasis will be placed on concept development, digital capture, editorial technique, and digital presentation. Post-production software programs will be introduced and utilized for image correction and adjustment. A key component of the course is the ongoing work on each student’s chosen theme for creating a final portfolio.

Course Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Describe and execute proper operation of a digital camera.
• Gain and demonstrate a working knowledge of shutter speeds, aperture settings, ISO Settings, light, exposure and camera angles in order to achieve desired images (the exposure triangle).
• Name and understand the basic mechanics of a digital camera.
• Demonstrably calculate the equivalent relationships between shutter speeds, aperture settings, and film speeds.
• Demonstrate an understanding of photographic concepts and vocabulary.
• Discuss how and what photographs communicate through careful analysis of your and your fellow students work.
• Create a series of images that convey a particular theme or concept asproposed by the student.
• Inform and educate the class on different photographers and photographic styles through individual presentations and gallery visits.
• Provide a very broad overview of digital photography as a unique form of the medium as bothan art form and a technical craft.
• Understand and demonstrate proficiency in image adjustment software.