Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
PHTG D001.
Course Title (CB02)
Basic Photography
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
Introduction to black and white photography. Overview of the 35mm single lens reflex camera operating system. Basic understanding of film processing, printing and finishing. Development of critical thinking skills to analyze historical, cultural, conceptual and practical aspects of a medium used worldwide. Preparatory for further work in photography including digital imaging.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is the introductory level of study for basic, black and white and wet darkroom photography. It is intended to meet the requirements of the A.A. degrees in photography and is CSU and UC transferable.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
Yes
Foothill Course ID
PHOT F001.

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
3.0
Maximum Credit Units
3.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours2.04.0
Laboratory Hours3.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
24.0
Laboratory
36.0
Total
60.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
48.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

  • ESL D261. and ESL D265., or ESL D461. and ESL D465., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.
  • Pre-algebra or equivalent (or higher), or appropriate placement beyond pre-algebra

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Field observation and field trips

Lab activity and evaluation

Assignments

  1. Reading from assigned chapters of textbook
  2. A written, one-page critique of an assigned gallery or museum exhibition
  3. Bi-weekly photographic exercises that demonstrate an understanding and application of class concepts and darkroom procedures, and culminates in the completion of 4 - 8 finished, black and white prints.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. One, one-hour mid-quarter examination: multiple choice, true and false, and short answer components that requires students to summarize course content and apply concepts covered.
  2. Written critique of an exhibition that demonstrates and understanding of basic photographic skills and the observations of photography as a visual language.
  3. Final: oral and visual presentation of final prints assigned demonstrating basic technical skills and conceptual awareness as discussed during the course.
  4. Other quizzes at instructor's discretion evaluating student's understanding of specific lab procedures, camera controls, or concepts from course material assigned.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • 35mm camera
  • 6 - 8 rolls of black and white film
  • One (100 sheet) box of RC photographic paper
  • Other materials as required (negative sleeves, envelopes, misc. items)
Essential College Facilities:
  • Classroom and a darkroom equipped for black and white film processing, printing and finishing

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
London/Stone/Upton Photography 12th Edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2017
London/Stone A Short Course in Photography: Film and Darkroom, 9th Edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2015 (NON-MAJORS may substitute)

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Other suitable text at the instructor's discretion

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Define the nature and application of photography as a unique medium.
  • Differentiate between major types of cameras and demonstrate how the 35mm camera's controls are used.
  • Process black and white 35mm film, make contact prints, and enlarged prints.
  • Explore how photography has evolved to its present form through a worldwide perspective.
  • Create and conceptualize images using 35mm techniques and practices.
  • Compare and contrast traditional photographic methods with new digital methods.
  • Critique and analyze a variety of photographic master works to develop, refine and understand a diverse and multicultural community
  • Critique classmate's work to understand the visual and communicative value of the medium

CSLOs

  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of wet darkroom processes to create photographs using a 35mm film camera.

Outline

  1. Define the nature and application of photography as a unique medium.
    1. Characteristics of the black and white photographic image
      1. Light
      2. Continous tone
      3. Space
      4. Time
    2. Application of a unique medium
      1. As a fine art
      2. As commercial work
      3. As documentation or replication
      4. "The snapshot" as a genre
  2. Differentiate between major types of cameras and demonstrate how the 35mm camera's controls are used.
    1. Camera types
      1. 35mm format
      2. Medium format
      3. Large format
      4. Digital
    2. Basic SLR camera controls
      1. Body
      2. Lens
      3. Viewfinder
      4. Film advance
      5. Film plane
      6. Shutter
      7. Aperture
      8. Focusing
  3. Process black and white 35mm film, make contact prints, and enlarged prints.
    1. Film processing
    2. Contact prints
    3. Enlarged prints
    4. Print finishing
  4. Explore how photography has evolved to its present form through a worldwide perspective.
    1. A brief history of worldwide developments of the medium in 19th, 20th and the 21st centuries such as: the invention of photography, camera and film technology including new digital imaging, photography used in the other arts, documentary, and commercial work.
    2. Introduce diverse photographic artists and imagery such as:
      1. Ethnic/cultural (M. Alvarez Bravo, Andre Serrano, Roy DeCarava, Carrie Mae Weems, Lorna Simpson, Reagan Louie)
      2. Issues of gender (Claude Cahun, Arthur Tress, Duane Michals, Robert Mapplethorpe, Yasumasa Morimura, Katherine Opie, Nan Goldin)
      3. Digital (Andres Gursky, Pedro Meyer, Loretta Lux)
  5. Create and conceptualize images using 35mm techniques and practices.
    1. Fine art approach to photography
    2. Commercial approach
    3. Documentary
    4. Digital
  6. Compare and contrast traditional photographic methods with new digital methods.
    1. Physical similarities and/or differences in equipment and processing
      1. Analog and digital cameras
      2. Wet darkroom vs. digital darkroom
    2. Traditional vs. contemporary imagery
      1. Photographic genres: portraiture, landscape, still life, abstract, directorial, alternative
      2. Unmaniputed (straight) vs. manipulated (digitized) imagery
  7. Critique and analyze a variety of photographic master works to develop, refine and understand a diverse and multicultural community
    1. Presentation of imagery created with basic black and white techniques
    2. Preconceptions about what makes a good image
    3. Description, evaluation, and interpretation of imagery
    4. Examination of and sensitivity to diverse photographic expressions
  8. Critique classmate's work to understand the visual and communicative value of the medium
    1. Presentation of classmate's work
    2. Description, evaluation, and interpretation of class imagery
    3. Examination of and sensitivity to the individual's self-expression

Lab Topics

  1. Film processing
  2. Contact sheet
  3. Enlarged print
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