I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Exploring Color Photography

2. Course Prefix & Number:
ARTS 1405

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 2

Lab Hours: 2

4. Course Description:

This course focuses on digital photography, integrating principles and processes of contemporary image capture. A variety of visual projects engage students in solving aesthetic and technical problems incorporating analysis, interpretation, expression and presentation. An historical perspective will also be included. Commercial labs will be used for print processing. It is strongly recommended participants have a digital camera with manual exposure control. MnTC Goal 6

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

Next Gen Reading

Score:

237

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

8. Prerequisite (Entry) Skills:
Students must be have or have ability to operate and access to a computer, software and control exposure on camera.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

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

Minnesota State University Moorhead, ART 203F: Introduction to Photography, 3 cr
Minnesota State University, Mankato, ART 275 Photography, 3 cr
Normandale Community College, ART 1109 Exploring Photography, 3 cr
Lake Superior Community College, Art 2500 Digital Photography II, 3 cr

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:
Demonstrate oral communication skills	Critique visual images and interpret compositional value.
Analyze and follow a sequence of operations	Create imagery with artistic design according to a visual standard.
Apply abstract ideas to concrete situations	Predict and discuss the evolution of the photographic medium as an art form.
Utilize appropriate technology	Determine and integrate technology into visual art methodology and predict standards.

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

• Explain camera operation, the characteristics of image capture, lighting fundamentals, and printing techniques for use of the camera as a visual tool (MnTC Goal 6);
• Demonstrate the ability to use technical skills by successfully completing a variety of photographic assignments (MnTC Goal 6);
• Apply basic computer knowledge in generating digitized images (MnTC Goal 6);
• Explain the basic visual elements and principles of design that are common to all works of art (MnTC Goal 6);
• Create effective compositions using the visual elements, lighting and principles of design in photography (MnTC Goal 6);
• Create original photographs that explore a variety of formal and conceptual problems, demonstrate a visual vocabulary, and the ability to make effective aesthetic judgments through gallery presentation (MnTC Goal 6);
• Analyze historic and contemporary photography as a means of expressing human values (MnTC Goal 6);
• Engage in the creative process; (MnTC Goal 6); and
• Explain and evaluate the effectiveness of personal photographs and those of others through critique (MnTC Goal 6).

V. Topical Outline

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

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Concepts of color
• Visual light color theory
• The electromagnetic energy spectrum
• How the brain and camera see color
• Color as a personal experience
2. History and evolution of the photographic medium and modernism
• Integration of video
• Social media
• Software
3. Aesthetics - photography as an art form
• Camera exposure
• The science of filters
• Lighting basics for art
4. Concepts of art and design
• Perspective and composition
• Color strategies in digital input and output
• Color, movement, space, and time
5. Photographic problem solving and writing
• The problem solving model
• Acceptance and analysis
• Writing about images
6. Presentation and preservation
• Personal vision
• Art gallery presentation

2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions

1. Seeing Color
• Color blindness test
• Visual spectrum exercises
2. Historical perspectives to modern times
• Research topics
• Models of expression in the social medium
• Critique and self-evaluation
3. Communication: The gift of lighting and the studio
• Camera exposure operations
• Technical art theory
• Applying aesthetic language to photography
4. Design Concepts
• Seeing is not saying
• Two-dimensional as three-dimensional through output
• The art making process
5. Presentation
• Personal presentations
• Artist statements
• Critique
• Student reflection