Professor Mary Staley AR112 - Digital Photography for Fine Arts I
Department of Visual, Performing and Communication Arts
Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus Phone: 240-567-1374, Department Phone: 240-567-1368 Office Hours: Mondays/Wednesdays 9:30 to 10:45 or by appointment Mary.Staley@montgomerycollege.edu
WELCOME MESSAGE
Welcome to AR112 - Digital Photography for Fine Arts I,
In this course you will learn to improve the quality of your digital photographs and create original art works while exploring the tools and techniques of Adobe Photoshop software. Basic principles of composition and design will be emphasized as you learn to combine and manipulate digital photographic imagery.
FACULTY INFORMATION
Instructor: Mary Staley, Professor of Art, Visual Arts Department, Takoma Park Campus
E-mail address: mary.staley@montgomerycollege.edu (During the course you should contact me by WebCT e-mail or post general questions on the course discussion boards.)
Office Location: 132-CF (Gwendylyn and Morris Cafritz Foundation Arts Center building) Takoma Park Campus
Office Phone Number: 240-567-1374
Office Hours: 9:30 to 10:45 Mondays and Wednesdays or by appointment.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
AR112 - Digital Photography for Fine Arts I
A general introduction to electronic still photography, beginning with traditional photographic and art concepts. Students will explore image manipulation using personal computers supported by scanners, photo CDs, and digital cameras. Students will use the most advanced photo editing software available to create new artistic images. No prerequisites. 3 credits.
COURSE PREREQUISITES
Students are expected to have intermediate computer and Internet skills, the ability to communicate well in written form, and a desire to be creative. Previous experience in photography is not required. No course prerequisites.
TEXTBOOK
The "Help" files that come with the Adobe Photoshop software package will be used as a resource, to look up information that is covered in class, as a supplement to the lectures. If you want additional support you should purchase any Photoshop reference book from a bookstore such as Border's or Barnes and Noble or Amazon.com. There are several books to choose from; just be sure that the one you choose covers basic Photoshop techniques and has a detailed index. Examples include The Photoshop Bible (good but expensive), Visual Quickstart Guide: Photoshop, and Teach Yourself Visually: Photoshop and Photoshop Visual Encyclopedia. (Not required.)
ONLINE REQUIREMENTS
There will be 6 major projects, 3 quizzes, and 6 to 8 required exercises. Each project is worth 12% of the final grade, except for the Final Project, which is 18%. Each quiz is worth 4%. The exercises and participation grades combined equate to the remaining 10% of the final grade.
The course will combine written "lectures" with projects and exercises assigned to afford an opportunity to develop skills and understandings which will carry over to each succeeding assignment. Each project requires a written journal ("log") describing your intentions, actions, and other thoughts related to the creation of your artwork. Quizzes will focus primarily on issues of techniques, tools, and vocabulary. Online discussions between students are strongly encouraged.
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS
You will need to have a digital camera capable of producing at least a "photo quality" 5"x7" print (300 pixels per inch or more.) If your camera is capable of capturing 3 megapixels or higher it should be sufficient. (Cell phone cameras are NOT sufficient!)
You will need to own or have access to the full-version of Adobe PhotoShop software (NOT Photoshop Elements or the LE version). During this semester either version CS-3 or CS-4 will be used---either the Macintosh or Windows platform. Student discounts on software can be significant as compared to retail prices. The bookstores at any of the three Montgomery College campuses are able to order the full Adobe Creative Suite with a special "Student Educational Pricing" --an incredible discount. The Mac computer labs in the Cafritz Arts Center on the TP/SS campus are available for your use during various Open Lab hours. Photoshop software is also available for your use on both Mac and Windows computers at the Student Technology Center on the third floor of the Student Services building on the Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus.
You will also need to download and install free versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader and QuickTime Player. (You may already have these readers on your computer.)
An inexpensive set of headphones and a "flash" drive will be needed if you work in the computer labs on campus. (Recommended for all students.)
ON-CAMPUS REQUIREMENTS
For most students there will be no need to ever come to campus. However, I'm always delighted to meet students from the online class and I'll be happy to meet with you if you have any concerns that can't be resolved online.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
None
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This course is not on the General Education "Arts Distribution" list.
