Photo I: Introduction to photography

long reach high school visual arts

Borleis
2016-2017
alex_borleis@hcpss.org

Course description
In this course, students apply the language of art in producing fine art photographs. Primary experiences will
center around the use of a 35mm single lens reflex camera, film processing, darkroom techniques, print
manipulation, and the presentation of work. Technical skills evolve through the introduction of pinhole
photography and contact printing. Experiences throughout the course will include composing, exposing,
processing, enlarging images in the darkroom, and basic experiences in digital imaging.

Course objectives
1. Identify the use of Elements of Art and Principles of Design and Composition as they appear in the work
of master photographers.
2. Practice the appropriate and safe use of photographic equipment, chemistry, and materials.
3. Utilize basic black and white photographic processes including composing, exposing, processing,
enlarging images in the darkroom, and matting/presenting photographs.
4. Recognize various conceptual approaches used by master photographers for personal and public
audiences that elicit emotional/societal responses in the world.
5. Demonstrate the appropriate use of 35mm SLR cameras to control exposure.
6. Utilize basic digital imaging equipment and software in the production of photographic works.
7. Emily visual and written critical responses in a personal photographic journals/sketchbook/binder to
develop a contextual and historical understanding of photography.
8. Maintain and organize a portfolio of photographic prints and contact sheets neatly and professionally.

Materials
All basic photo materials for this class will be provided by the instructor. However, photographic
materials that are lost or misused must be replaced at cost by the student. Provided materials will include:
photo paper, 35mm B&W film, and camera.
Traditionally, the following materials have been required for this class for the organization of negatives, prints,
and notes. If students are unable to purchase these materials on their own, they may need to make or borrow
used ones in class:
_____ 9x12 spiral or hardbound sketchbook/notebook (students may use an older sketchbook from a
previous class) Please no tape bound sketchbooks as they fall apart in a matter of weeks!
_____ OR 3-ring binder with sections (protects and stores all negatives and prints which are easily
damaged)
_____ OPTIONAL thumb-drive or disk on key (for saving Photoshop Assignments in-progress)

Cameras
Due to the number of students we have enrolled this year, we have a very limited supply of cameras. However
a student is not required to purchase a camera for this class. Cameras are available to sign out for a period of
two days. It is highly recommended if a student is interested in continuing Photo pass this course to have a
camera of their own. When learning to use a camera, it can be very beneficial to learn by constantly using the
same camera. I recommend that all students make an attempt to find a 35mm Single Lens Reflex (SLR) or
rangefinder with a manual exposure on their own by asking friends or relatives. Used cameras can be found
online (eBay, KEH, etc.) at a fraction of the cost of being new.

Photographic Equipment Expectations

Because photography requires the use of many expensive and complex equipment and tools, you must treat
all tools (cameras, enlargers, filters, darkroom equipment, chemistry, computers, dry-mount press, etc.) with
utmost care and respect. Equipment that can be signed out for out of school use is used at our (yours and
mine) discretion. The cost of lost, damaged, or broken equipment will be the responsibility of the student who
signed it out. Failure to comply with proper use and responsibility of any or all photographic tools and
equipment will result in a phone call home and potentially in the loss of privileges in signing out or using
equipment. Photo equipment can be signed out for a period of two days. For each day past the date the
equipment must be returned, students will be penalized a letter grade for the current unit.

Assessment and Grading

Grading and assessments will take various forms. Since this is a foundations (introductory) course, it is not
expected that every student will become a master right away. You will be graded on all parts of your process,
with the greatest number of points allowed to how well your final product meets the criteria of the assignment.
You will be graded on only your own performance and progress on your individual effort, growth, and
improvement- NOT how your finished work compares to the rest of the class. At the completion of each
unit, you will asses your own progress through written refection before submitting the work for a grade.
Students will be assessed by participating in small-group and class critiques, as well as completing a selfassessment based on the criteria clearly stated when the assignment is given out. The criteria is based upon
the following categories:
IDEA DEVELOPMENT - Critical thinking and brainstorming of the concepts and problems (essential
questions) posed in the unit.
DESIGN - The use of the Principles of Design to create an elegant visual answer to the essential questions
post in the unit.
PERSONAL CHOICES - The unique exploration of the essential question specifically encouraging the use of
the students personal experiences and perspectives.
CRAFTSMANSHIP - Addresses the neatness of presentation and physical care of work.
STUDIO SKILLS - Handling/use of materials and equipment in a way that helps effectively communicate the
students solution to problems posed in the unit.
The grading scale is as follows:
A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
E = 0 - 59
NOTE THAT INCOMPLETE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED; ONLY FINISHED WORK WILL RECEIVE A
GRADE.

Quarterly Grade Break-Down

55%
30%
15%

Classwork/Studio Time : This category contains your final prints and corresponding rubrics for each
unit.
Sketchbook/Binder : This category contains all brainstorming, worksheets, and other small
assessments done in each unit.
Homework/Quizzes : This category contains any homework or quizzes given along with all Click
assignments.

Late and Missed Work Policy

Assignment deadlines are set at the discretion of the instructor when the assignment is given. It is the students
responsibility to make up any missed work due to absences, and to collect daily objectives, handouts, and
notes. Students are also responsible for scheduling appointments with the teacher to discuss make-up work. If
the student is absent on the day an assignment is due, the assignment should be handed in the following
grade. Late work from unexcused absences or otherwise will not be given full credit.
Classwork/Studio Time work will be deducted one letter grade (or 10%) for each day it is late.
Sketchbook/Binder work will lose 50% after one day and receive no credit on the second.

 Homework will not be accepted late (unless you have an excused absence).

There is NO EXTRA CREDIT - Do your work the first time!

Academic Integrity
Each student is responsible for upholding and maintaining academic integrity. If there is a question in reference
to a students academic integrity, they will be referred to their administrator by way of a disciplinary referral,
given due process, and receive the appropriate consequences based on Long Reach High Schools Academic
Honor Code. Any violation of academic integrity will impact a students eligibility for credit in this course.

Denial of Credit
According to county-wide policy, students are not to miss more than 5% of any credited classes for the entire
school year. Missing a studio class can put a student in a difficult position for making up work. All students
should be responsible for making up missed assignments of their own accord. Since this course is only offered
during 4th period, that means you can only miss 5 days before you are in danger of not receiving credit.
Reminder that if you are late to class 3 times that counts as 1 absence.

Behavior Policy
Code of Conduct - All students are expected to abide by the Long Reach Honor Code at all times and will be
held accountable for any violations of the Honor Code. Failure to do so will result in an intervention or referral
depending on the frequency or severity of the offense.
Sequence for Minor Incidents:
1st Offense: Verbal Warning
2nd Offense: Contact home and teacher consequence.
3rd Offense: Contact home and discipline referral.
Students will be asked to initial a form after each offense to note that each step in the sequence has been
taken and to give students knowledge of what is happening.
Incidents not considered minor will result in an automatic contact home and discipline referral.

Late Policy
Due to past years, a new late policy has been put in place. Students will be asked to fill out a form after each
tardy. The sequence is as follows:
1st Offense: Teacher/Student Conference
2nd Offense: Teacher/Student Conference and Parent Contact
3rd Offense: Teacher Detention & Parent Contact
4th Offense: Teacher Detention & Parent Contact
5th Offense: Administrative Referral & Parent Contact
Cut Policy - If a student cuts class, he/she will be referred to administration on the first offense and receive a
phone call home and discipline referral as well.

Electronics Policy
While we are a BYOD (bring your own device) school, all cell phones are expected to be off and away
during class hours unless otherwise instructed. In this course, you may very well be asked to use your
cameras, interact through applications such as Instagram, or find photographs for reference. During these
specific times you may use your phone. However playing on your phone, texting, and other activities are
strictly prohibited and will result in either contact home or possible removal from class. This goes for all other
electronic devices too. (Sorry, no listening to music in class!)

Food and Beverages

Due to the expensive equipment and chemistry housed in our room, no food or drink is allowed except for a
bottle of water. (Yes, this means during lunch as well!)

Long Reach High School Visual Arts Department Syllabus Contract

This syllabus is a contract. It can be found through both Canvas and the class website provided during class.
By signing below, you and your parents/guardians are acknowledging that you have read the entire course
syllabus AND will abide by and support all of its stated policies.

student name (please print)

student signature

I have reviewed the expectations for this course with the student in my care.

parent/guardian name (please print)

parent/guardian signature

phone number (home)

parent/guardian email address

phone number (work or cell)

student email address

Publication Notice
Some of the work we will be undertaking this year will be used for building/updating a school-based
visual arts website. For this purpose, I, the teacher will photograph some of your artwork, students
working in class, and taking some quotes from reflective statements. Students will also their
documented work for a digital portfolio.
Please ask your parents/guardians to sign below giving permission for your artwork to be reproduced for/in the
school based website and art education publications. (I can publish and post only student work for which
parent/guardian permission has been granted.) Permission is not required and will in no way affect the
assessment and grading of student work throughout the year.
I grant permission for the Long Reach Fine Arts Department to document my child, their artwork, and reflective
statements for publication in school-based websites and art education journals.

x
parent/guardian signature

date