Digital Imaging/The Digital Photography Darkroom
Pleasantville High School
Beginning & Advanced Levels 1/2 credit: 1 semester
Mrs. Mary Lynne Bonforte
bonforte@pville.k12.ny.us
Course Description
Beginning students will be introduced to photography as an art form using Photoshop software. Students will learn how to use a 35 mm SLR camera*, take well composed pictures based on the principles and elements of art, and develop film (as the case may be). Students will learn how to use flatbed and film scanners, and photo quality printers. Exposure to important photographers who express commentary, document events, describe a personality, tell a story, or make the viewer think is an important component to digital imaging at all levels. Frequent critiques are used to help students develop a sensitive and critical eye to their own work and to the work of others. Slides, videos, films, books, and articles will be used as resources for understanding what makes a good picture and how to achieve high quality photos using the digital darkroom. Matting/mounting for display will be shown.
Advanced students at level two and up will continue to hone their skills and at the same time become more creative in their photography approach through specific assignments and / or subjects of special interest. Because classes are mixed levels, advanced level students are expected to share new discoveries and participate in helping beginning students. Opportunities open up for the advanced student to explore medium format photography and explore Photoshop in greater depth. A “concentration” that is skillfully presented is stressed at levels three and up. Beautiful and interesting matted/mounted works will be made by all students for exhibition and/or a college portfolio.
Classroom Expectations / Requirements
Camera: Students must supply a 35 mm SLR film camera with manual options for this program.* A camera case is important to protect your camera when not in use. If you do not have a camera or cannot borrow one, it is highly recommended that any who shows a real serious interest in photography purchase one. Prices at B&H Photo in Manhattan are reasonable, and it ships quickly. There are also other places to buy cameras. For those not sure of a continuing interest in photography or are saving money to purchase a digital SLR camera, it is recommended to rent a camera. The following local camera shops are able to lease a camera to you for the semester. Call first to get pricing information and to see what is most convenient for you.
Sam’s Camera Exchange PhotoWorks
195 North Bedford Road 60 Washington Ave.
Mt. Kisco (on the corner of Bedford Road
666-3383 across from Jean Jacques)
Pleasantville 769-6425
Students are responsible for making their own arrangements in leasing a film camera.
B&H Photo in NYC is an excellent place as well to get what you need. It takes orders by phone or via its web site. B&H also ships quickly. If you can actually go down to Manhattan to B&H, it is worth it just to see and experience such an unusual place of business that is also a cultural experience.
B&H
420 Ninth Avenue www.bhphotovideo.com
New York, NY 10001
Between 33rd & 34th Streets 1 (800) 686-4372
2. Know your camera! There are oodles of cameras out there, and there are few people who can pretend to know it all. Reading your camera manual is a must. If you don’t have the manual for an old camera, look at online book stores or look on e-bay. You might have to read your manual 10 times! Computer technology has helped to make wonderful advances in the use of newer film cameras. Talk to as many people as you can to choose what is right for you. Again, read the manual for your particular camera to learn about its features. Digital SLR cameras are still very expensive and will not be required until prices come down. However, if you have one, you may use it for the course.* Set your camera for black & white or color and familiarize yourself well with its capabilities.
*There are now point and shoot digital cameras that come close to quality SLR cameras. However, they tend to be slow when taking a photograph and the end result may not be as expected. They also do not have the capacity to interchange lenses. If you choose to use such a camera, please make sure that the camera is at least 7 mega pixels with exposure options that include bracketing, metering, ISO control, image size control, close up to far away control settings, zoom capability, flash on/off control, etc. A 7 mega pixel camera will ensure good output on 8” x 10” ink jet photo paper (Epson ink jet photo papers only for this course on school Epson printers).
Photographs on all digital cameras should be shot in the fine jpeg mode setting of the camera. While camera raw is most desirable, the amount of memory consumed is not practical at this time for use on school computers. Student external drives in the form of a stick or jump drive of at least 1 gigabyte is a must. CD-R’s are needed on which to burn images. Jump drives fill up and the necessity of saving work over the long term becomes necessary for grade evaluation and to keep as a resource.
All digital cameras come with required software that must be installed on a home computer. In order for images to be useable, students must be able to burn images at home on to a CD that is brought to school or transfer images to the required external jump storage. Regular collection of digitally taken pictures must be submitted on a CD for evaluation purposes.
3. Other Required Supplies that you are to supply on your own:
1. Epson Professional Inkjet Papers Only- These papers are not found at Staples! Go to Sam’s Camera, PhotoWorks or B&H.
1 package of 50 of either of the following:
Epson Enhanced Matte Paper, 8 ½ x 11”, # S041341
Epson Premium Luster Paper, 8 ½ x 11”, # S041405
2. Enough rolls of Kodacolor film to fulfill level requirements, usually 8 to 10 rolls per semester. Students must get film developed outside of school. Please do not agree to have any photo business put your photos on a CD. The quality in the past has not been good. If a digital SLR camera is used, photos must be submitted on burned CD.
3. Plenty of good quality data CD’s. Please no rewritable’s. Sony is one of several good brands.
4. CD case holder. If you can find one that will fit in a three ring binder that would be great. Keep CD’s safe in an environment so as to avoid scratches and other damage.
5. Permanent marker for labeling your CD’s with contents and dates.
6. Three ring 1” binder, a two pocket folder for three ring binder, and notebook paper.
7. Pencils for signing your work and taking notes.
8. Jump Drive - USB Portable Storage Device – 1 GB minimum will suffice to hold large image files that you will have. B&H has very good prices. Jump drives may be purchased elsewhere, too. Prices vary as follows.
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Your cameras and supplies are your responsibility and should never be left in the classroom. Take them with you. Make sure CDs and jump drives are removed and taken with you as well. Put your name on everything! You are expected to organize and store your work for mid-quarter and end quarter evaluations.
4. You, the student, may now do your journal either as a PowerPoint presentation or it may be done in Microsoft Word during class, especially as the needs of individual students are addressed. Advanced students who prefer to do their journal in a sketchpad may do so. Bring it to class each day. Entries are to be made regularly and dated. Your journal is a record of what you do day by day, week to week, and offers an opportunity to express successes, failures, research, thoughts & ideas, notes on what is done in class, videos, articles, quotes, etc. Photo images may be downloaded from the Internet and worked into your journal. Include as much detail as possible. Photographs from books or magazines may also be incorporated using the flatbed scanner. Journals are due on the last day of each month and are to be printed out on regular paper using one of the color laser printers and labeled with you name. When you are not working on a photo in Photoshop, you are expected to work on your other assignments which include doing classroom research on individual photographers, working on your journal, assigned readings, notes on slide and video presentations, and written critiques. There is also a mid semester project on a photographer and an end semester project to be announced.
5. Unless there is a school validated reason, you are expected to be in class, arrive on time, and be ready to work. Please keep requests to leave the room to an absolute minimum. Requests to leave must be done in a way so as to be the least interrupting and without missing important lesson information being given. Passes will not be signed or written during the presentation of a lesson. Inappropriate interruptions are disruptive to the learning process. You are responsible for finding out what you have missed during any absence from class. Also when late, you are responsible for returning to class with a pass from another teacher or guidance counselor.
6. It is imperative that the computer lab be left in good order before the bell rings at the end of the period. Food and beverages of any sort in the computer lab are not permitted.
7. Local field trip permission form (attached) is expected to be on classroom file for outdoor shoots that may be off school grounds but in the immediate neighborhood.
8. Extra help or extra time is given during the “Activity Period”. Use of the activity period is a necessity, especially if you get behind or have been frequently absent.
9. Please have computer use forms in at the beginning of the school year. You may not use anybody else’s account for any reason!
10. Clean up in the form of the putting away of film scan holders, books, magazines, etc. at the end of each class is part of the expected activity each day. Care and respect for computer equipment are a must.
11. Teacher evaluation of each student in general terms is made from the following:
*Portfolio that is shown mid quarter and at end of quarter. Portfolio includes enlargements (the best of which are mounted or matted as directed) and contact sheets, which are printed out on inkjet printers.
*Grading is determined according to each student’s level and the particular requirements for a quarter.
*In general, student portfolios count for the largest percentage.
Level 1 students, however, won’t have a developed portfolio by the end of the first quarter. As a result the portfolio carries less weight, and mid quarter classroom journal notes and quizzes carry more weight for a total of 40% of grade.
*For advanced students, the portfolio consists of contact sheets and inkjet
enlargements -70% of grade.
*Journal –10% of grade
*Photographer PowerPoint project/or other – 10%
*Responsibility, helpfulness, organization – 10%
*Students will get more specific information regarding level requirements
as soon as possible.
Progress Reports will be mailed home to notify parents of commendable or unsatisfactory work usually around mid marking period. Parents or guardians are encouraged to leave me a phone message or send a note so that a phone conference or meeting can be arranged. I will return a phone call or respond to a note as soon as possible. Phone calls home and contacts with guidance counselors may be made at any time by me if there are any other special concerns that arise. Students who have questions about a grade are asked to see me privately. I may be reached directly through school email as listed on the first page.
Final Note to Student: I want each and all of you to have fun in a good way and to enjoy the time you are in photo imaging class. Learning to create digital images through photography takes patience, effort, time, creativity, and skill. Make the most of your experience here, and please see me if any problem or concern should arise.
Parents and students, please fill out the following page & return.
Digital Imaging/Photography Period ______
Please sign below and return to Mrs. Bonforte by Monday, September 11th. Thank you.
Student and Parent/Guardian Statement:
We have read the preceding digital imaging/photography requirements and understand what is expected.
Student name (printed) ____________________________________
Student signature__________________________________________Date___________
Parent / Guardian signature _______________________________Date__________
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Walking Permission 2006-2007
Below, I have filled out the walking permission slip for my child. I understand that there may be times when the class may visit the public library as well as walk around the school grounds and local community areas to take pictures.
I give permission for my child, _______________________, to walk with the digital imaging/photography class.
Parent / Guardian signature ________________________
Date ______________