I. General Information

1. Course Title:
The Art of Digital Photography

2. Course Prefix & Number:
ARTS 1420

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 2

Lab Hours: 2

4. Course Description:

This course is an introduction to visual art, stressing the basic skills involved in creating and understanding digital photography. The objective of this course is to encourage the students to open their mind to the cultural significance of visual arts as well as to develop the ability to use technical problem solving processes. A goal is for a student to be able to use digital media as a vehicle of artistic expression. This is a studio art course. MnTC Goal 6

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

Reading College Level CLC or Reading College Level

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

Name of Institution	Course Number and Title	Credits
North Hennepin Community College	Digital Photography	3
University of Minnesota	Digital Photography	3

III. Course Purpose

2. MN Transfer Curriculum (General Education) Courses - This course fulfills the following goal area(s) of the MN Transfer Curriculum:
Goal 6 – Humanities and Fine Arts

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Analyze and follow a sequence of operations	Start, develop and finalize a photograph
Apply abstract ideas to concrete situations	Develop a personal response to a specific photo project

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Demonstrate the basic techniques of working with digital images (Goal 6);
• Create and execute digital photographs using competent problem solving processes (Goal 6);
• Demonstrate ability to use image transfer devices, computers, imaging software, image correction, and cropping in creating digital image (Goal 6);
• Understand and articulate the components of camera exposure, white balance, lens focal length, and related photographic goals (Goal 6);
• Explain and discuss a knowledge of history in photography (Goal 6);
• Explain and evaluate effectiveness through the critique of personal artwork and the work of others (Goal 6);
• Demonstrate an increased appreciation and role of imagery within the humanities, fine arts, and cultures of the modern world (Goal 6); and
• Create a visual vocabulary relevant to modern use of digital photography in society as expressed through social media tools (Goal 6).

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Exposure
• Camera exposure controls of E = I x T +ISO + WB
• Downloading and uploading digital files
• Exposure problem solving
2. Perspective
• Schemata and perception
• Visualization
• Focal length and lenses
• Figure/ground
• Simplicity
3. Storytelling
• Art of subtraction
• Mood
• Contrast
• Selective cocus
• Depth of field (focus)
• Center of interest
• Relative expression techniques
4. Geometrics
• Rule of thirds
• Leading line
• S-curve
• C-curve
• L-shape
• V-shape
• Horizon line
• Symmetry
• Asymmetry
• Spirals
• Diagonals
• Shape
5. Design Concepts
• 7-13 design elements used in photographic art
• Attributes of color
• Discussion of photography as 3D art
• Color scheme
• Monochrome
6. Visual Relationships
• Gestalt principles/laws: similarity, proximity, continuation, closure
• Tradition
• Illusion
• Camouflage
• Ambiguity
• Exaggeration
• Association
• Signifiers or use of prop
• Color enhancement
7. Light
• Qualities of light
• Diffuse and specular light
• Front, back, side lighting
8. Critique
• Principles of sound critique and judging
• Use of software for upload/download and editing
• Portfolio or capstone

2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions

1. Camera and Lens

a)Use of basic camera controls
b)Exposure
c)Creative camera and exposure techniques
d)Focal lengths
e)Lens and creative visual effects

2. Use photo editing software to alter/enhance images

3. Digital storage

a) File types/digital compression
b) Web based storing and sharing

4. Interpretation and Analyses

a) The photograph in context of place and time
b) Content and meaning
c) Symbolism and metaphor

5. Aesthetics

a) Visual composition and image structure

6. Various projects designed to develop personal expression