• To acquire basic competence with black and white photographic processes, from exposure in camera to a finished print
• To explore the potential of the medium as a vehicle for self-expression
• To develop written and oral skills for thoughtful evaluation and critique of photographic works of art
• To gain a rudimentary overview of the rich history of the medium, its various trends and aesthetics, as well as a familiarity with some contemporary concerns in photography as an art form
• Provide students with the resources that will aid in the development of photography courses for the K-12 grade level

Class Structure:
Our scheduled class time will be used primarily for lectures, demonstrations, slide presentations, and critiques. Class time will also be utilized for individual darkroom work, but students can expect to spend a number of hours outside of class time to work in the studio. Because we only meet once a week, our time together is extremely valuable. You will be required to spend time for shooting of assignments outside of our scheduled class time.

Please turn off all cell phones, beepers, pagers, etc before class begins.

Requirements: (expanded view)
Attendance/Tardiness: Your attendance is not only desired but mandatory for all scheduled lectures and lab sessions. You will be expected to attend all class meetings on time and to stay for the entire class. If you obtain more than three unexcused absences for the class you run the risk of being dropped from the course. An excused absence is one in which you have notified me prior to being absent. Notification by email is best. If you miss class or you are late it is your responsibility to make up the work and find out what you missed. Class participation will count for ten percent of your final grade.

Journals: You will be required to keep a daily journal for this class. Memories, dreams, and ideas are the genesis of works of art and extremely ephemeral. I use this word “journal” in the loosest possible sense. If you like to write, you may use it to record daily events. What I am requiring is that you add something on a daily basis. This could be a few words about what you’re thinking, a line from a book or overheard conversation, music lyrics, a letter pasted from a friend, poetry, a dream you had, a drawing, a magazine add, etc, anything that will remind you of what you were thinking, but you must record something everyday. I’m interested in providing a means for you to trace and preserve the development of your thoughts and ideas.

Assignments: There will be six visual and two writing assignments given over the semester. Writing assignments and in-class critiques will be administered to help students begin to develop a vocabulary for assessing works of art. In addition there will be handouts and readings on reserve administered. Assigned readings are to be completed before coming to class. Expect to shoot at least one roll of film per week. Graduate students click here for extra requirements.

Grading Criteria:
The work created in class will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Plus and minus grades will be used to further differentiate the above.

Assignment breakdown:
You will be graded on six visual assignments, two writing assignments, class participation, and a final portfolio. For due dates check the course schedule. Breakdown in points is as follows:

Americans with Disabilities Act
This course is in compliance with the ADA law. If you are in need of special assistance due to a disability please see me privately so that accommodations can be made to suit your needs.

Equipment and Materials:

On the average a student can expect to spend around $300 for supplies during the semester not including the camera.

Text:
Required
Black & White Photography: A Basic Manual, (2nd or 3rd ed)., by Henry Horenstein. ISBN 0316373052 It’s available for approximately $20.00 online or at numerous local booksellers (Barnes & Noble, Borders Books, etc)

Highly Suggested
Criticizing Photographs 3rd ed., by Terry Barrett. ISBN: 0072977434 List price: $33.00

Other supplies needed:

• A 35mm camera that can be adjusted manually with working light meter, and its owner’s manual. One lens will suffice.
• Film developing tank and reel, plastic or stainless steel
• RC (Resin-Coated) Photographic enlarging paper such as Ilford Multigrade IV. Glossy or luster surface. One box 100 cnt. (approx. $40 online). Do not open box until instructed to do so.
• Film for your camera (black & white) Tri-X or TMax to begin with
• Several clean cotton towels
• Scissors (preferably blunt-end) and bottlecap opener
• Photo thermometer
• Negative storage pages (polyester or polyethylene, PrintFile brand is fine). 35mm size
• Graduated cylinders, one large (32 oz.) and one 50-100ml
• Compressed air. A camel’s hair or anti-static brush is a valuable addition
• A small notebook
• A photographic gray card
• A set of contrast filters
• Portfolio to store final images in (8x10" or larger)

Optional supplies you may want to purchase:

• A tripod
• Kodak lens cleaning fluid and tissues
• Handheld light meter
• Cable release
• A paper safe
• Loupe for viewing negatives

Fees: There is a $70 usage fee for facilities. It should be automatically deducted from your student account. Paper, film, and other materials are not supplied.

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Resources:

Print Study Room
The University of New Mexico houses an extensive collection of historical and contemporary photographs in the Print Study Room at the Fine Arts Museum in CFA. One class will be dedicated to a visit to the study room where we will view a number of photographs from the collection and meet with the Print Room Supervisor Chris Jones.

Online resources:
http://elibrary.unm.edu/subjects/photog.php a very thorough portal that lists sites of interest to those pursuing photography in the fine arts maintained by Nina Stephenson at the UNM library.
www.photoeye.com store in Santa Fe which sells photographic books and has an extensive online gallery.
www.bhphotovideo.com mail and web order photographic supplies
www.photoformulary.com seller of large array of photographic chemicals.
www.pixelpress.org  online magazine with photo essays on current news events.
www.teachingphoto.com newsletter for photography and imaging educators
www.spenational.org Society for Photographic Education’s website
www.aperture.org Photographic quarterly dedicated to the promotion of photography as a fine art
www.pbs.org/art21/index.html PBS series ART21. Highlights important contemporary artists of 21st century. In depth with interviews, slides shows, and resources for art educators such as online lesson libraries & student activity center.


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Visual Assignments:

Exploration and creativity should be at the heart of all endeavors. Expect to shoot at least one roll per assignment.

Assignment 1: Pinhole Photography 5 pts.
Construct your own pinhole camera (in class) and make at least three images from this camera. Include your best image in your final portfolio.

Assignment 2: Applying Depth of Field 10 pts.
Using your 35mm camera, make one photograph that makes important use of limited depth of field and one photograph that makes important use of great depth of field. Enlarge one of each to 8x10" and turn in with final portfolio.

Assignment 3: Photography and Time 10 pts.
Make two photographs that utilize the camera’s ability to freeze action or convey motion by adjusting the shutter speed. Enlarge one of each to 8x10" and turn in with final portfolio.

Assignment 4: Lighting 10 pts.
Make one image that utilizes strong side lighting to emphasize texture of subject, one image that makes use of strong backlighting, and one image that makes use of soft or diffused light. Subject matter is open. Choose your best image to enlarge (8x10") and turn in with final portfolio.

Assignment 5: Composition 10 pts.
Photograph nature or objects around your home you find interesting, focusing your camera as close to your subject as you can. Explore textures, patterns, shapes, forms, and details, filling the entire picture frame. The emphasis of this project is on composition. Frame each photograph carefully, paying attention to the whole area of the picture. Take your time, and think about focus, depth of field, and movement. Don’t photograph general views; this is a details project. Choose your best image from the series and make one 8x10" enlargement. Turn in with final portfolio.

Assignment 6: Portraiture 10 pts.
Make a portrait of someone you know or one self portrait. The portrait should reveal something about the person being photographed or communicate to the viewer an essence of their character. Make one enlarged image 8x10" in size or greater for this project to turn in with final portfolio.

Final Portfolio: 15 pts.
Collection of all the assigned photographs in a portfolio case of some kind and your best one dry-mounted or window matted for display. This may include improvements to past photographs or revisions submitted.

Writing Assignments:
Museum assignment: 10 pts.
Visit a photography exhibit and write a one to two page formal review in which you analyze and discuss an artist's works. Address formal and conceptual issues. Alternate: Design a class field trip (elementary, secondary, or high school) to a museum or gallery with a study guide packet (supporting materials to include audio /visuals and study questions related to the museum experience).

Teacher Interview: 10 pts. (1 to 2 Pages)
Contact an APS art teacher and conduct an interview. Line of inquiry should include issues that teachers are confronted with and possible solutions to these problems. For example, budget cuts usually affect areas of the arts. How do you keep the arts program going on very low budget? Or, what type of teaching methods do students respond best to?

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Tentative Class Schedule
Instructor reserves the right to change syllabus. Always check email before coming to class.

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College of Education Mission Statement:
Our mission is the study and practice of education through teaching, research, and service. We address critical educational issues; we test new ideas and approaches to teaching and learning; we educate professionals who can facilitate human growth and development in schools, homes, communities and workplaces. We prepare students for participation in a complex and challenging society.


Art Education Mission:
The Art Education Program at the University of New Mexico prepares art professionals to meet the needs of diverse populations in the state and nation. The program supports art professionals in their examination of multiple approaches to education; these include, but are not limited to, image focused, discipline-based, issues-based art education as well as visual culture.

The undergraduate program educates students toward becoming reflective art teachers who can encourage students to develop artworks in response to life experiences.

The graduate program, culminating in a Master of Arts in Art Education degree, supports students with a wide range of interests. Students can focus their investigations on making and studying art in cultural, social and historical contexts. We believe that studying and making imagery is a life-long pursuit for art professionals working in our diverse, visually complex society.

<visit ARTED website>

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Lab Safety
Safety in the lab is paramount. While the chemicals you will be using in this course are fairly benign, always use caution and common sense when handling and working around chemicals. This includes the use of personal protection equipment such as safety goggles and gloves. Although these items are not required to work in the darkroom they are highly suggested.
If at any time you experience dizziness, shortness of breath, or anything out of the ordinary, leave the darkroom immediately and go outside of the lab area to obtain fresh air. Let the instructor know as soon as possible if you experience these symptoms while working in the lab.

MSD Sheets (Material and Safety Data Sheets)
All chemicals used and stored in the lab require an MSD sheet to be on hand and accessible to students. These sheets inform the user on a number of chemical properties such as flammability, what to do in case of contact, how to clean up spills, etc. If a student comes into contact with a chemical such as a splash in the eye refer to the proper MSD sheet for proper action to take before taking action. Let instructor or staff know immediately of the problem.

A good resource book on the topic of hazardous materials for all artists is "Artist Beware" by Michael McCann.

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Graduate Students:

1. Draft a proposed lesson plan on how to educate students (K-12 level) about one of the photographic movements discussed in class. The plan should include: an analysis of the movement highlighting one or two of the key proponents of the movement and their artistic philosophy, visuals that will support your analysis (slides, books, etc.), relative study questions, and visual assignment(s) for students to complete. Some things you may consider in your research include how the photographers were influenced by the social/political climate of the time in which they lived, how they sought to change (or avoid perhaps) this climate through their photography, and what types of philosophical arguments did they propose with the types of images they made?

or

2. Make a series of five to seven images related to one of the following genres of photography: social documentary, abstraction, portraiture, or the constructed photograph. Prints should be at least 8x10" in size and display technical as well as conceptual excellence.

In either case, I will work with you individually to suggest resources (books, artists to look at, etc.) to complete your project. You must select which project you wish to do by the third class meeting by submitting it in writing to me. Papers should be typed, double-spaced, with a standard 12pt. font such as Times Roman. Projects are due second to last class, Wednesday, April 26.

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