ART 104: Digital Still Photography

Overview

The digital medium has opened a whole new creative palette for the photographer who enjoys publishing images heretofore achievable only with the most expensive and innovative equipment. These tools are now available to any still photographer using a substantial digital camera and a photo management program such as Photoshop. This course will provide you with the skills necessary to photograph and manipulate the digital image. You will become familiar with how a digital still camera operates. You will become proficient in the operation of the camera, which will include an understanding of the basics of photography and photographic post-production.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Successfully shoot pictures with a digital still camera using all of the various features of the camera to manipulate the image.
• Display an understanding of the principles governing exposure of the digital image and the consequences of over-exposure and under-exposure.
• Demonstrate the ability to problem-solve when faced with a challenging assignment.
• Show a collection of images you have created during the semester which show your ability to use post production programs to enhance or change the image, and your ability to create mood and emotion in photographs using the skills you have learned in this course.
• Exhibit an understanding of camera principles including the iris, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance.

Course Requirements

In this course, you will be producing digital video and photographic work. Therefore, the following are required:

• A Digital SLR camera with auto/manual exposure controls
• Variable focal length lens or fixed lenses (maximum apertures of 2.8 are helpful)
• An off-camera flash (strobe) are preferred
• Optional Equipment: Tripod, a flash sync cord, filters and basic digital software
• Notes: Advanced amateur cameras (with or without manual capability) with variable focal length fixed lens will be accepted, but are not recommended because they will limit the student's learning capacity.
  35mm film cameras are acceptable, although all negatives must be scanned to a CD, which can then be uploaded to a computer (Most local mini labs can process film and digitally scan images to a CD for a relatively low cost)

Required Texts
ART 104 texts are available from the JIU/MBS bookstore