Dec 15, 2025  
2025-2026 Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Catalog
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ART 2803 - Photography I


Description
This is an introductory course in the study of photography. The course deals with composing, shooting, developing, printing, presenting, and critiquing black & white photographic film and prints. Students are required to have a working 35mm camera and lens with manual settings for aperture and shutter speed.

Pre-Requisite
NONE

3 Credit Hour(s)

Contact Hours
30 lecture contact hours; 60 lab contact hours

4.67 Faculty Load Hour(s)

Semesters Offered
Fall, Spring, Summer

ACTS Equivalent
N/A

Grade Mode
A-F

Learning Outcomes
Students completing this course will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of camera usage and controls of a manual camera including depth of field, shutter speed, and ISO.
  • Execute fine quality darkroom prints.
  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of darkroom techniques.
  • Demonstrate understanding of light, composition, and principles of visual design.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of professional research practice and written and/or oral analysis.
  • Apply knowledge of principles of design, reading images, and communicate within the medium in the creation of works and in critique.
  • Execute a self-directed project by developing a concept and translating the concept into images.


General Education Outcomes Supported
  • Students develop higher order thinking skills.
  • Students develop effective oral communication skills.
  • Students can use computers proficiently.


Standard Practices
Topics List

Subjects include but are not limited to the following:

  • Camera controls
  • Composition
  • Exposure
  • Depth of Field
  • Printing
  • Presentation/Mounting
  • Criticism

Learning Activities

Required Methods of Instruction

  • Primarily lecture, visual aids, demonstrations, and studio work.
  • Areas covered must include instruction on the use of cameras and manual camera controls, film developing, darkroom processes, composition, presentations, and critiques.
  • Methods must include visual demonstrations, classroom discussions, studio work, presentation, and critiques. Instructors should closely monitor the progress of students and their use of the software to ensure that the students are gaining a thorough knowledge of the application.

Assessments

Assessment is based on a chosen project assigned across all sections of the course. The rubric and assignment must be very similar, and the project should demonstrate the learning progression of the students.

Grading guidelines

  • Grades in this course should be based on design aesthetics, creativity & originality, following instruction, execution with the prescribed software, and presentation of the work.
  • Percentages of each of the criteria may vary with each project, but Design and Execution should both be given nearly equal weight in grading of each of the major projects.



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