Lesson Sequence
Photo Notebook
Class Clean-up
Lesson#1
Color Lesson #1

(A-1), 7:50 - 9:22

Course Description

AR311                        Photography 1            CP1 

(1 year, 1 credit)

Photography 1 CP1 introduces the student to the basic black and white photography techniques. The student will learn to manipulate the manual controls of the camera and proper darkroom procedures.  Students will also study the history of photography as an art form and the qualities of good photography through analysis and critiques.  Class size is limited to 24.  There is a $100 lab fee and a weekly cost (approximately $15) to the student based on each assignment and the student’s response to the assignment. 

Prerequisite:  Entrance is determined by the Photography instructor, since class size is limited to 24 students. 

Items needed to survive the Photo 1 class

1.  Notebook and a three ring binder.

2.  Apron and towel to keep your clothes clean and chemical free in the darkroom

3.  Can opener, (church key) to open film canisters.

4.  Scissors, to cut your film strips in to five frame strips.

5.  X-Acto knife, for use on the pinhole camera and other assignments (provided by Moeller). 

6.  Chamois (Natural Hide Only)

7.  Ilford Multigrade filter set (provided in Darkroom).

8.  35mm Camera with Full Manual Controls ( You must have full control over aperture and shutter speed.) 

Expendable Materials Available in the School Bookstore

(For exact prices, visit the bookstore)

  • Patterson, Plastic Developing Tank and Two Reel Set

  • 1.5" Kinetronics Brush for cleaning negatives

  • ILFORD Multigrade, RC, 8"x10", glossy or pearl, 25 sheet pack.

  • KODAK Tri-X or T-Max, B&W 400 speed film, 36 exposure

  • Plastic 35mm Negative film holder, holds 35 frames

Photography 1: Class Expectations

CLASS WORK/HOMEWORK: Students will begin the quarter, as shown in the syllabus, taking notes from classroom lectures. Precise and complete note taking is necessary to complete the technical procedures required to complete assignments. At the completion of these lectures students will be given assignments designed to teach a specific technical skill in the craft of photography while providing a great deal of latitude for self expression. Depending upon the specific assignment the student will spend more or less time in the darkroom, classroom or in the field shooting. Students will move from the most basic skills to some extremely sophisticated manipulations in this single year. Success depends upon desire and time spent producing.

THE PHOTO PORTFOLIO AND PHOTOGRAPHERS NOTEBOOK: Will consist of three parts which will be handed in together for grading at the end of each quarter on the assigned quarter or semester exam date.  

  1. The red rope folder for storing and presenting mounted prints.
  2. A note book for taking notes and storing technical information, reproductions and information of the work and lives of other artists/photographers, and other written photography homework.
  3. A binder for storing the photographers notebook, negatives, contact sheets, unmounted prints and test strips.

CRITIQUES: There will be no tests in the traditional sense. Test will be by critique. ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED FOR CRITIQUES -  Every student is required to participate in the critique sessions - they are the class tests and therefore no excuse other than a school sanctioned absence will be accepted.  The class critique is an open forum where the instructor will not only make comments concerning technical and aesthetic problems and successes but will encourage the entire class to respond. Positive comments are most desirable because it is more valuable to learn from each other the good things that we have done as opposed to the negative. Likes and dislikes, although important, are only a small part of the class critique. All students will be encouraged to express their opinions which will be directed toward technique and aesthetics.
GRADING: Photographs are graded based upon the student's effort, presentation, and time spent on the assignment. Grades are also determined by neatness, ability to follow directions, interpretation of the assignment, technique and quality of execution. Of all of these qualities TIME SPENT is the most desirable and will produce the best results. LATE ASSIGNMENTS: Late assignments are unacceptable.  OUR CRITIQUES AND ASSIGNMENTS ARE OUR TESTS.  YOU MUST BE PRESENT FOR ALL CRITIQUES. FINALLY - REMEMBER: IF YOU HAND IN NOTHING - I WILL GIVE YOU NOTHING FOR A GRADE.  IF YOU HAND IN SOMETHING I WILL GIVE YOU SOMETHING FOR A GRADE.  ASSIGNMENTS IN OR OUT OF CLASS ARE NOT A REQUEST - THEY ARE REQUIRED - ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED ON TIME.  FAILURE TO HAND IN ALL ASSIGNMENTS BY THE END OF A QUARTER WILL RESULT IN A FAILURE FOR THAT QUARTER. 
GRADING PERCENTAGES: 

  • 50% - CRITIQUES,  Individual assignments will be graded for Aesthetics and Technique (quality) and Quantity of work..
  • 25% - PORTFOLIO PRESENTATION, The portfolio grade has two components; content and presentation. Each is worth 50% of the final portfolio grade.
  • 25% - DARKROOM, CLASS AND OUTSIDE OF CLASS WORK, AND PHOTOGRAPHERS NOTEBOOK. 
  • NO EXTRA CREDIT

PLAGIARISM OR TO PRESENT ANOTHER PERSONS WORK AS YOUR OWN IN
PORTFOLIO OR EXAM IS AN ACADEMIC VIOLATION - AUTOMATIC FAILURE.

THE FREEDOM OF THE PHOTOLAB: All Moeller Art/Photo students enjoy a privilege that I like to call "The Freedom of the Photolab". This freedom requires a great deal of maturity and responsibility on the part of all students. Those that do not practice this maturity and responsibility will have that freedom curtailed or revoked. Mutual respect among students is required. Theft, vandalism or the destruction of another's work or property will exclude a student from this class.  The only thing that belongs in your mouth during this class is what God or the Orthodontist put in there. As stated in the School Student Handbook, no food is to be consumed anywhere outside of the school cafeteria. KEEP YOUR GUM AND CANDY AT HOME. GUM CHEWING IS INAPPROPRIATE AT SCHOOL. ALSO, REMEMBER TO "KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF".  Chewing your fingernails, any other part of your body, clothes, pens, pen tops, paper, books, dirt, grit, desk, school property of any kind, other students, the property of other students, dried flavored or unflavored, salted or unsalted, corn, or other crunchy product; to include, dried meats, fruits, vegetables, cow, pig, lamb, or other animal product either living, dead or in suspended animation - IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED IN THIS CLASS.  Persons not able to control their bodies and the actions of their bodies during class will receive a self-control training assignment for homework to assist them in overcoming their difficulty. (You will hand-write this page twice.)  THIS ALSO APPLIES TO DRINKS.  DO NOT BRING LIQUIDS TO CLASS.  If you fear dehydration during class, consume sufficient liquids before class at one of the many cool and refreshing water fountains that abound in the hallways at Archbishop Moeller High School.  Please try to relieve your body of all waste products between classes.  If you need to blow your nose during class remember that this is not grade school and, no, I do not have a tissue for you, nor will I excuse you from class to go search for one.  Keep a handkerchief in your pocket or a sufficient packet of tissues in your backpack.

PHOTOGRAPH THE WORLD: It is the belief of the instructor that the more your photographs are full of the world the better they will be in both content and technique. Therefore, you will be required to go out in to the sometimes unfamiliar world to take your photos. Unless specifically stated you must assume that no photos taken for this class should be take at home, at school or at school events.