Skyline High School Meredith Giltner Room 215A

Digital Photography I giltnerm@aaps.k12.mi.us

Course Syllabus 994-6515 x55216

Course Information & Overview

Photography captures moments in time through light and allows us to view the world
through different perspectives either as the viewer or the photographer. The ever evolving
technology of photography is exciting and inspiring. This photography course is designed
to give students experiences with the creative and technical aspects of photography.
Students will use digital cameras, Adobe Photoshop and other applications to shoot,
compose, manipulate and edit digital photography.

The course begins with a history of Photography, how photography is critiqued and how
to incorporate the Elements & Principles of Art in producing quality images with a digital
camera. Once we have covered the basics, the use of computer software in editing and
manipulating photos will be by themes. A minimal amount of internet research will be
done in this course and students will have a portfolio of images.

Digital Photography is a 1-term course where the student earns 0.5 credit. This credit may
be used as an elective credit or as half of the 1.0 art (VPAA) credit required for
graduation. This course can be used as an art credit or as an elective credit.

Learning Goals

1) To become proficient in the technical and creative aspects of photography.
2) Develop the habit of looking closely at the visual world around you in order to capture
an aesthetic moment.
3) Use digital cameras and associated computer equipment for creating, modifying, and
producing images for print and digital media.
4) Create a digital archive and a slide show of your work.
5) Master specific composition techniques associated with digital photography including
the manipulation of images for enhanced design.
6) Learn about the history and aesthetics of fine art photography.

Skyline High School Grading Scale
Student Evaluation:
Letter Grade Percentage 4.0 GPA SCALE
A+ 97 - 100 4.0
A 93 - 97 4.0
A- 90 - 92 3.67
B+ 88 - 89 3.33
B 83 - 87 3.00
B- 80 - 82 2.67
C+ 78 79 2.33
C 73 - 77 2.00
C- 70 - 72 1.67
D+ 68 - 69 1.33
D 63 - 67 1.00
D- 60 - 62 0.67
E Below 60 is Failing 0.0

Digital Photography Grade Weights:

1) Projects/Class work .............................70%
2) At home photography assignment .......10%
3) Final Project/Exam...... 10%
4) Participation .10%
(Participation includes: being on time, prepared for class, participating in class
discussions, cleaning-up, responsible use of equipment & supplies, work ethic, and
generally doing what you are suppose to do everyday).

Classroom Procedures

In order to meet the aforementioned learning goals students are expected to:
~ be in class on time every day
~ be prepared for class everyday (must have a pencil everyday)
~ work productively in class everyday and take responsibility for their own work
~ clean up after themselves and help to maintain the classroom environment
~work independently when the teacher is working with other students

Late work will be accepted when the student discusses the situation with the teacher,
otherwise late work will be accepted with credit loss. Final deadline for all late work is 5
school days prior to exam day (end of term).

After 5 absences it becomes difficult to know what is going on in a lab class where most
of the information is delivered via demonstrations and lectures. In these cases, the student
will be given alternative assignments that can be done at home.

Students who misuse the classroom equipment or supplies will be given alternative
assignments that can be done without the classroom equipment and supplies.

Each student in the visual and performing arts will accomplish a set of benchmarks in a
cyclical manner of learning in which the students demonstrate their ability of each skill,
working towards the National Art Standards .