This course provides beginning and “enthusiast” photography students with a foundation and understanding of digital photography, including how it is applied, concepts in composition, methods for producing photography in print and online, and how to effectively work with cameras and computers to produce the best images. The course combines hands-on photography assignments and labs with interactive discussions covering the history, practice, fundamentals, and applications of photography in today’s digital world.
Course Aims and Objectives
Our aim for this course if for students to understand digital photography methods and techniques, photography composition and practice. They will learn to discern and critique good photography and to create their own creative images based on established photography methods and techniques. Students will also learn how digital photography is used and applied in our world today, including photojournalism, art, design, business, and communication. They will learn to use and control different types of cameras in a variety of ways, improve their own image quality, how to use several types of photography software, and how to produce their photos online and in print.
Each week we will address a new topic, and there will be a related homework assignment or in-class lab. The class will also create and maintain its own Web site containing photos from the class. During the school year, there will be two photography “shows” of students’ work.
Specific Topics & Learning Objectives:
• Digital ABC’s
• What’s so great about digital?
• Elements of photography composition
• The history of photography: From Silver to Silicon
• Correct camera settings
• Using light to your advantage
• Getting photos from camera to computer
• Processing, archiving and managing your photos
• Printing your photos online, at home, or at a lab
• Emailing photos and putting them online
• Software basics for image editing
• Different types of photography:
Photojournalism
Portraiture
Art
Design
Sports
• Getting artistic with your photos
• Digital photography workflow: method, not madness!
• Evaluating, buying and using digital camera & equipment
• Digital photography composition technique
• Manual vs. automatic photography
• Leveraging light to your advantage
• Software tools for editing, archival, creativity, postproduction and presentation
• Printing photos
• Sharing and presenting photos online
• Color management & calibration
• Optimizing photos for sales and shows
• Create digital slide shows, live or on-disk
Student Evaluation
Students will be given in-class and take home tests as well as projects and assignments. These, combined with classroom participation, will be used to provide a comprehensive grade. At the beginning of the year, a general syllabus will be provided to students.
About the Instructors
The course will be taught by Serge and Amy Timacheff, who own Tiger Mountain Photo, one of the most well-known independent photography studios in the Northwest. Tiger Mountain Photo has been the official photographer for Issaquah Salmon Days for five years, and is also the official photographer for Saint Mark’s Cathedral Seattle. Amy concentrates on portraiture, studio, and commercial photography. Serge is an official photographer for the Summer Olympic Games and the official photographer for the International Fencing Federation, and he has written and published two top-selling books on digital photography. He has photographed numerous celebrities, world leaders, and sports stars. They have both shot on six continents, given numerous lectures, courses, and seminars, and their work is collected and presented around the world. Their son, Alex, is a student at Labyrinth.
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| Prerequisites |
No prior knowledge of or experience in photography is required for the course. Certain photography equipment, including cameras, lights, and software, will be used and provided in parts of the course. Each student should have their own digital camera, although one will be made available to students who do not have one. Students who have laptops are encouraged to bring them to class.
Some type of image-editing software is recommended for students to use in the course. While there are several applications that would be acceptable, there are three programs recommended (but not required):
• ACDSee (versions 8, 9 or “pro”)
• Photoshop Elements
• Photoshop (version CS or later)
Of these, Photoshop is the most expensive but most extensive. ACDSee is about $100 and completely adequate for the entire course; it can be downloaded from ACD Systems in a fully functional trial format for free for a period of time.
If students have a digital camera, they are encouraged to bring it to class with at least one flash card.
A photography textbook will be required, and numerous handouts will be given throughout the year. |