Course Syllabus

Course Title: Introduction to Basic Photography Skills and Practice (online)

Course grade level: High school: 9-12
Instructor: Marcus Thompson

Contact:
404.519.1129
mthomps9@my.westga.edu

Office Hours:
Tuesday & Thursday 3:30pm-4:30pm
Online Office Hours: (online office Hours are a specific time set aside for online students to
contact the instructor via email, google hangout, forum or other online method)
Monday: 10:00pm

Learning Objectives:
This is an introduction level photography course aimed at students who have no formal
training in photography. This course will focus more on the understanding of concepts rather
than use of advance techniques. This will give students the confidence and ability to competently
operate a camera in various situation. Be able to communicate with other photographers and
camera operators in a professional manner. This course will also serve as the ground level course
for advance photography course if you see fit.

Student will be able to accurately identify and the describe the functions and of Canon
DSLR Cameras, with 100% Accuracy
Demonstrate an understanding of technical and professional terms and camera related
Vocabulary.
Write and critique photography using the proper language.
Identify, and use the different camera, modes, functions and settings
Use digital editing tools
Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to operate a Camera to take a clear photo
under various conditions.
Create a well-structured photograph both objective and subjective. Using both the camera
and digital editing.

Standards:
This course is Designed to Adhere to the
Georgia Fine Arts Performance Standards: Visual Arts

Grading:

The following grading scale will be used: A = 90 - 100%, B = 80 - 89%, C = 70 - 79%, and F =
Below 70%.

Equipment:

Digital SLR camera or Camera with manual controls (such as shutter speed, aperture,
and manual focus). It is recommended that you have at least 2 lenses, a zoom and a
wide
SD card for the camera. (recommended 8GB)
A computer with internet access capable of running html 5 websites, Canvas, and editing
software
Text book: Complete Digital Photography Ben Long
Flickr account

Assessments/Assignments
Module Design
The 5 modules of this course will be delivered over a span 4 weeks, giving a week for
each module. Each module will open up and 12am Midnight at the beginning of Monday and
closes the Next Sunday at 11:59pm. The Critical Thinking Writing assignment will take place
over the entire 4 weeks and will be due at the very end. Attached is a week by week break down
of each module. Late work will be accepted, but only after completing the required steps outline
in the syllabus. The resources in each module are subject to change but you will be notified of
any drastic modifications.

Module 1:
1. Syllabus
2. Syllabus Quiz
3. Flickr
Module 2
1. Photo Practice 1: assignment to gauge students current ability. As well as be used as a
scale to measure improvement
2. Reading: Chapter 2 Getting to know your Camera - Chapter 3 Camera Anatomy
 3. Critique 1: Describe your goal for practice 1 & Give feedback on each classmates work.
How do you think they did for their first assignment?
4. Discussion 1: What do you know about photography, how have interacted with cameras
5. Critical Thinking/writing element.
6. Multimedia Assignment (Camera Sim)
Module 3
7. Reading assignment: Chapter 6 Exposure basics & Chapter 8 Advance Exposure
8. Practice 2: Low Light & Night life construct a narrative around and upload them to
Flickr.
9. Multimedia element: Photography for Total Beginners
10. Discussion 2: Showing in Low Light and Understanding Exposure
11. Critique:
Module 4
12. Reading: Chapter 9 Finding and composing a photo & 14 Editing and workflow
13. Practice 3: Abstract Compositions.
14. Multimedia element
15. Discussion 3: This discussion is about is finding compositions and using the camera and
editing.
16. Critique: Leave constructive criticism on 5 students assignments.
17. Assessment: Complete quiz on chapters 9 & 14
Module 5
18. Final Photography Practice: Using what youve learned.
19. Writing and Critical Thinking Assignment Due
20. Course review: This is an anonymous survey for you to give honest feedback on the
content and delivery of the course.
21. Final Critique. Improvement review and critique