KAMEHAMEHA HIGH SCHOOL, VISUAL ARTS DEPARTMENT
SCHOOL YEAR 2019-2020 | COURSE SUMMARY | PHOTOGRAPHY I
OVERVIEW
Photography I is a one-semester course that introduces students to the world of film photography. Photography I provides students a foundational understanding of the nature of light, visual literacy, composition, and darkroom chemistry, helping them to create and appreciate amazing photographs. Class periods consist primarily of lab work, with some lectures, fieldwork and quizzes. Most work, however, revolves around a series of black-and-white film photographic projects exploring different techniques, artists, and genres. Some projects may alsoincorporate digital technologylike Photoshop and scanning. As a Visual Arts class, students will also learn about visual communication and participate in critiques, work-in-progress reviews,and evaluations of their work and the work of others.
This course is the prerequisite for Photography II if students are interested in further exploring photography through different cameras, films, and techniques. Skills gained in Photography coursesare also useful in Video Production, Ka Mō`ī, Ka Na`i Aupuni and digital photography.
This course requires a $35 lab fee, which will be charged to each studentʻs school account.
Integration of Technology
Kamehameha Schools provides access to many technological tools to enhance the teaching and learning process such as laptops, online resources, BlackBoard, probes, etc. We support the integration of technology as a critical component in preparing students to thrive in our global society. As appropriate to each course, teachers will provide further classroom expectations and guidelines as to the extent technology (e.g. laptops, websites, BlackBoard, etc) will be utilized for research, instruction, assessment, and communication purposes.
COURSE GOALS
Students will be able to:
- mix and correctly use photographic chemicals.
- demonstrate mastery of the features of a manual SLR camera.
- demonstrate mastery of the light meter and of the techniques related to control of expo sure.
- produce clean, correctly-developed negatives.
- demonstrate mastery of the use of the photographic enlarger.
- produce correctly-processed prints.
- demonstrate familiarity with advanced printing techniques involving dodging, burning, and filtration.
- demonstrate familiarity with basic studio lighting techniques.
- demonstrate familiarity with software and technology related to basic digital image processing.
- demonstrate familiarity with the elements of composition that make up a good print.
- demonstrate an ability to critique work, both their own and the work of others.
COURSE MATERIALS
Required text: Introduction to Photography, 4th Editionby Marvin J. Rosen.
Required camera: Manual SLR.
The text will be loaned to students. Its replacement cost is $70. The textbook will be used primarily in the classroom, however students may take home a copy if they need to catch up on late work or want to do additional reading. All tests/quizzes are based on material found in the textbook or presented in class lectures and activities.
In addition to the text, students will be loaned an SLR camera with a lens, filter, lens cap, and case. Its replacement cost is $350. If a student losesacamera, their parents will be billed and another will be loaned to them, if one is available. If one is not available, they may need to arrange to borrow one from a friend in the course, or to rent one in order to complete assignments. Allphoto assignments are based on the use of a non-automatic SLR camera.
Parents will be billeda $35 lab fee, which will cover the following materialsused in this course:
- 50 sheets of 8″x10″ photo paper
- Up to 10 rolls of film
- Access to film processing and printing chemicals
- Negative sleeves
These supplies should be more than enough to allow for all assignments during the semester. Those who need more than the allotted supplies may need to purchase them from the school bookstore or a camera store in order to complete course assignments. Extra photo paper is available for purchase at the school bookstore.
In addition, students are provided a locker to store their photography materials, but must provide their own lock. Students also need a permanent marker, such as a Sharpie brand pen, to identify their negatives and prints. Students may want to bring an apron or small hand/dish towel to protect clothes from chemicals and stains in the darkroom.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Pay attention
You need to master some basic skills before getting to the fun stuff, like taking pictures that actually come out. If you don’t learn how to load a film cassette, or your camera or the film developing tank, none of your pictures will come out and you will feel bad. This means that the beginning weeks are critical. Pay attention.
Participate
Students who do not work on photography assignments on lab days may receive a zero for the day in the participation category. You have a lot of freedom and leeway in the course, but you must work on photography assignments every period, all period. If you have free time, extra credit becomes mandatory.
Stay in class
Instructors are responsible for knowing where you are at all times during class. Never leave class early and never leave the classroom / studio / lab area without permission. If you are not where you are supposed to be, you may be marked cut and receive a grade drop. If you are going down the hall (briefly) to get a drink of water or go to the bathroom, let instructors know first.
Leave work areas neat
You are expected to pick up after yourself. Consideration for others is an important part of this course.
Any student who deliberately destroys, alters, or tampers with another student’s artwork will face serious disciplinary consequences, which may include conduct probation or suspension.
Turn in your own work
Review the student code of conduct on page 38 of your student handbook, where you will find that plagiarism is a Level 2 infraction. Possible consequences inclued detention, school counseling, outside counseling, suspension, conduct probation, and restriction from school activities.
You must turn in contact sheets and photographs that have been taken by no one else. “Borrowing” a print or negative that does not belong to you will result in a grade of “0” for the assignment. Continued plagiarism/borrowing may result in a referral to the Admin office and a failing grade for the quarter. In order to avoid confusion, never share the same roll of film with another student. Contact sheets are collected with each assignment to ensure students are turning in work that belongs only to them.
Use the required camera
Since much of the course teaches the use of a manual camera, students must use only the manual SLR camera to complete all assignments. Using an automatic camera may result in a lowered grade for the assignment, or no credit.
Use Cell Phones responsibly
This course makes use of Google Classroom, along with a class blog and other online resources. Students may use their cell phones to complete quick in-class assignments, but they should only be used for course-related purposes and furthering their education (not social media, online shopping, etc). Students should NOT be using their phones in the darkroom, as light from phones can ruin light-sensitive film and paper.
Students who bring their own personal electronic mobile devices to schoolshall assume all risk and liability for devices that are damaged, lost, or stolen.
- If a student’s use of these items interferes with the learning environment, the item willbe confiscated and returned to parents at the unit office.
- Chronic misuse of cell phones and mobile devices during school hours may lead todisciplinary consequences as set forth in the Student Handbook.
- Misuse of cell phones/electronic devices counts as a Level 1 infraction, which may result in verbal warning, written reprimand, detention or a written incident report.Please use your technology responsibly.
Check your KS e-mail
Students are expected to activate, maintain and use their KS e-mail accounts, since some of the photo instructors e-mail grade updates and other information.
Help
Instructors try their best to give as much help as possible but the odds are that they won’t be available exactly when you need them because they will be helping someone else. If you need extra help, come in after school. The lab is often open until 4 or 5 p.m. If you do need help, be sure to ask!
Tests and quizzes
The course requires two quizzes per quarter. We spend a few days in class preparing for each quiz, but since Photography I is (mostly) a lab course, we need to balance class time with lab time, so that you can work on your lab assignments. This means that you may find that we spend less time preparing for quizzes than in some of your other courses. When we do prepare for quizzes, pay attention. Take your book home and study it the night before a quiz.
Don’t procrastinate
Sometimes students procrastinate. Even though the assignments are not that demanding, they put off doing them until the last moment. This is a really bad idea in this course. It takes time to take a roll of film, develop it, make a contact sheet and then make prints. After the first few weeks, late work receives less credit. If you are taking two or three rolls at once, your work may receive a lower grade just because you hurried and your work shows it. Keep up with assignments. Come in after school once or twice to finish your work if necessary.
GRADE CATEGORIES AND WEIGHTS
Components of grades:
Quarter averages are calculated using these weights:
Tests 20%
Participation 20%
Projects 60%
TOTAL 100%
The “participation” category includes small credit/no credit assignments, effective use of class time, and some of the “student responsibilities” listed above.
The semester final counts for 20% of your semester grade, and each quarter counts for 40%.
The Grade Scale
Quarter and semester grades are assigned based on a standard grading scale:
| Letter Grade | Point Range | Range in Percentages | Letter Grade | Point Range | Range in Percentages | |
| A | 4.0 | 93-100% | C | 2.0 | 73-76% | |
| A- | 3.7 | 90-92% | C- | 1.7 | 70-72% | |
| B+ | 3.3 | 87-89% | D+ | 1.3 | 67-69% | |
| B | 3.0 | 83-86% | D | 1.0 | 63-66% | |
| B- | 2.7 | 80-82% | D- | 0.7 | 60-62% | |
| C+ | 2.3 | 77-79% | F | 0.0 | 0-59% |
Students’ overall averages will benefit if they always make an effort to turn in something. Even a grade of “50” is far better than a “0.”
If You Want To Find Out Your Current Grade
Instructors calculate averages about half way through the quarter, when several grades in each category (tests, participation and projects) are available, and several times more before the end of the quarter. If students want to know their current averages, they can use the information above to calculate it, or ask instructors for it.
Extra Credit Information
Students are welcomed and encouraged to do extra-credit work, as long as they do not use extra credit to avoid turning in assigned projects. Extra credit is only for those who have completed all their regular assignments. Students must arrange extra credit with instructors at least two weeks before the end of the quarter, and turn it in at least one week before the end of the quarter. It is important that students talk with instructors before starting an extra-credit assignment.
Policy On Make-Up Work
Instructors accept late work, up to one week before the end of the quarter. The later the work is, the less credit it will receive. (Grades drop one grade per week.) However, it is always better to turn in work late than not at all. If students are absent, it is their responsibility to obtain missed assignments as soon as they return, and to arrange a reasonable due date with instructors. Students with planned absences (school-related trips, athletic events, family vacations, etc.) must turn in assignments before their absences. Exams missed due to excused absences must be made up the same day the student returns, unless a medical reason makes this impossible. An unexcused absence will result in a “0” for the missed exam.
Study Help Information
Students should be able to complete all assignments using scheduled, in-class lab time. However,if they need to use the lab during a free period or after school, instructors will make it available as often as possible. Extra lab use and study help should be arranged in advance.