Photography II

Ms. Brooks Room 400

South Hadley High School Fine and Applied Arts Department
shhsphotography.weebly.com
wbrooks@shschools.com
C ourse Description:
This course will focus on advancing students knowledge of digital photography. Students will
articulate aesthetic, technical and expressive qualities in a photograph, critiquing their own and
others work. Students will continue to develop skills in managing and creatively editing digital
images as well as critically analyzing the use of visual media in our society. They will be provided
a greater level of autonomy, expected to pursue their own interests and develop an individual
voice. Students will have class time available to take images for course projects,
but it is highly recommended that students take photographs outside of school
and class.

Materials:

The school will provide all studio equipment, and has digital cameras to loan. Students are
required to sign a contract acknowledging responsibility for damaged or broken
materials before any cameras will be signed out to them.
Students who have access to a digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera, or a digital pointand-shoot camera may choose to use their own camera for coursework. Students should
check with the instructor before, to make sure the camera would work for this class.
Notebook Students should dedicate a small notebook, or one section of a binder or
notebook, exclusively to photography class. This will store handouts, assignments, and
be a place to take notes on class lectures, as well as record information from photo
shoots.

C ourse C ontent and Topics C overed:

1. Review Camera Features and Settings, Digital Workspace
2. What Makes a Compelling Photograph?
3. Photoshop Skills: Color Correction, Layer Masks, Advanced Creative Editing
4. Ethics of Photography and Editing
5. History and Contemporary Issues in Photography
6. Writing an Artists Statement
7. Developing an Aesthetic Style

Assignment Outline:

1. 100 Photos Review of C oncepts

Students will develop a bank of images to work with as needed throughout the
semester, while reviewing concepts from Photo I class.
2. Still Life Self Portrait
Students will create a still life that is a representation of their personality, identity and
interests. Using objects to make a composition that represents who they are, students
will consider lighting, composition, perspective, and editing.
3. Photography as Illustration
Students pick a song, poem, or book excerpt to illustrate using photography. Students
must consider the mood / meaning of the text and try to recreate it with their images.
The final product will be a series of photographs that captures the essence of the text, or
illustrates in in an abstract, non-literal way.
4. Documentary and Photojournalism
Students will document an event, political / humanitarian issue, sporting event, or any
other part of their life that interests them. Using only photographs students need to
make clear to the viewer: who, what, why, where, and when. Class time will be
dedicated to discussion of ethics of documentary photography, and the role of
photo/video technology in todays world.
5. Studio Portraiture
Students will review studio portraiture topics, such as shooting on a seamless roll, and
lighting setups. Attention will be paid to creative editing, and postproduction, and focus
will be put on developing concepts for a photo shoot.
6. Finding Yourself in Nature
Students will create a project utilizing photography to reflect their own experience with
different locations. Students will discuss how they feel connected or disconnected to
their own environments. They will also be asked to investigate how color, movement,
and music can change the experience of a place.
7. C lass Book
The class will decide on a theme for a book to publish independently. Students will
submit photos based on the theme, and work together to sequence photos.
8. Artist Presentation
Students will research and give a presentation on the work and themes of a
contemporary or historical photographer. Time in class will be dedicated to research.
9. Independent Project
Each student will create a series of photographs that are in the style that interests them
most. The final product will be presented along with a written artist statement.
10. Final Portfolio
Students will save all their finished and edited files in a final portfolio. This will contain all
the files from the semesters assignments, including photos and written reflections.
Students will give a brief overview of their work to the class, or may choose to discuss a
few photographs in more depth.

GRADING
1.) Projects (75% of grade)
Students will learn to control their camera settings, upload and process their images, save and
distribute their work, and develop conceptual and critical thinking skills
2.) C lass C ritiques and Reflections (5% of grade)
Through written responses and discussions, students will reflect on their work at the close of
each project. Critiques may take the form of presentations or written reflections.
3.) Student Blog (5% of grade)
Students will collect and discuss inspirational photographic images, or reflect on their own work,
on a blog that will be made in class and shared with the teacher. Students should aim to write
one blog post per week, and will receive a grading rubric at the beginning of the semester. The
blog will be graded twice, once after the first quarter, and again at the semesters end.
4.) Final Portfolio (15% of grade)
Students will submit a portfolio of their edited final images for each assignment. The portfolio
will also include written reflections, any extra credit, or additional photos the student chooses to
submit.

NO TE O N GRADES:
Any student who is not satisfied with a grade received on a project is welcome to
consult with the teacher, and re-shoot, edit, or resubmit work for a new grade. There will be no
limit to the number of times a student my resubmit, as long as doing so does not interfere with
current assignments or classwork

APPRO PRIATE USE O F TEC HNO LO GY AND PLAGERISM

Students are to uphold the standards for appropriate and ethical use of technology as
stated in the student handbook. Specifically, technology is not to be used to in any way that
promotes discrimination, harassment, violence, substance abuse, or academic dishonesty.
Students will treat equipment with care and sign out/return equipment according to class
policies. Students and their Parents are financially responsible for lost, broken or stolen
equipment that they borrow. During class time, students will work on and print digital
photography projects onlyviolation of this guideline will result in a grade deduction for the
current assignment. Students will follow the schools policy on plagiarism and will be subject to
full disciplinary action at the schools discretion.

C ELL PHO NE PO LIC Y

Cell phone use (including gaming, texting, and use of social media) is not. If you use
your cell phone during class time, your phone will be confiscated and turned in to the
administrative office. The art department and faculty members cannot be held responsible for
lost or stolen phones.

HELP & TEAC HERS O FFIC E HO URS

Dont wait until its too late to get help. Please chat with me if you are experiencing
difficulties with my class. Accommodations and modifications will be made in accordance with
IEPs and 504s. I am happy to discuss concerns, suggestions, or general feedback.