Photography: Theory, History and Art Photography

INTRODUCTION
This Course combines a theoretical and practical approach to the phenomenon of the
photographic.
From the first notions provided, up to the conclusions presented at the close, students will be
involved in a wide range of photographic practices linked with the major photographic genre types.
The Course’s practical character will be backed up by sessions based on the history and theory of
Photography as a framework for understanding the different uses, genre types and approaches to the
photographic medium which exist, as well as a way of encouraging an analytical reading of
contemporary photographic-based pictures.
Specific attention will be paid to Photography as a contemporary creative art form within the
Spanish context.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Course entitled "Telling (Hi)stories through Photography: History, Genre Types and
Contemporary Practices" are as follows:
- To learn how to handle a camera as used in Photography.
- To understand the principles of photographic art.
- To provide an introduction to Digital Photography.
- To appreciate the possibilities of Photography as an expressive and informative medium.
- To become knowledgeable about and understand the history of Photography.
- To develop critical skills in reading contemporary photographic images.
- To develop social and teamwork skills.

II. METHODOLOGY
Class sessions will be based on real participation and discussion, thereby encouraging a pro-active
attitude in students.
III. SYLLABUS
1.- INTRODUCTION. THE WORLD IN PICTURES. APPLICATIONS AND USES OF PHOTOGRAPHY.
- Telling stories through Photography
- Revisiting the origins of Photography
- History of Photography I. From 1839 to the Brownie camera.
- Classifications: Photo-Document; Photo-Advertising; Photo-Art

CONTENTS BLOCK A: PHOTOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUE
2.- FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
- Light and image formation. The eye and the camera.
- Exposure: diaphragm apertures, shutter speed and ISO sensitivity. The law of reciprocity.
- Types of camera, formats, lenses and sensors.
- Depth of field and hyper-focal distance.
- Picture composition.
3.- DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY I
- Introduction: differences and similarities between digital and analog photography.
- Fundamental principles of Digital Photography. Basic concepts. CCD (Charge Coupled Device).
Resolution. Color Depth. The Camera’s Histogram. White balance settings.
- Types of files.
- Optimization and retouching pictures.
- Workflow and developing raw files.
- Picture size and picture compression.
- Black and white Digital Photography
- High-Dynamic-Range Photos (HDR).
CONTENTS BLOCK B: THEORY AND HISTORY
4.- DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY
- Photography as testimony / Truth as appearance.
5.- HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY (II)
- From 1900 to 1955. Photography and the artistic avant-garde. The shattering of the mirror.
Street photography.
6.- PHOTOGRAPH AS PORTRAIT.
7.- THE CITY AS SETTING: URBAN LANDSCAPE AND ARCHITECTURE.
8.- HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY (III). PHOTOGRAPHY AND FICTION
- From the sixties to the present day. Photography and storytelling. Conceptual Art. New
documentary style.
9.- PHOTOGRAPHY IN SPAIN. From 1900 to the present day.
- The colonial slant. The 30s avant–garde and pictorialism.
- Neorealism’s new documents.
10.- PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE MEDIA
- Multimedia with pictures as a point of departure. Hybridizations. Photography and Cinema.
Photography and social networks.