School of Architecture and Built Environment

Department of Design and Visual Communication

B. A. Program in Design and Visual Communication
Course Code and
DES 150 Photography
Name
Prerequisite None
Semester Fall 2010/2011
Course Instructor Ms. Rusaila Bazlamit
Instructor e-mail Rusaila.bazlamit@gju.edu.jo
Office Hour – Office Mondays, Wednesdays 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Number Room A88
Course Meeting time Section 1:Sundays, Tuesdays 3:00-5:00 p.m.
and Place Room A93
Section 2: Mondays, Wednesdays 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Room A93

.::. Course Description:

The course discusses the significance of the medium of photography within

communication processes and the difference between human perception
and photographic image, reflecting aspects like subjectivity and objectivity.
Through creative assignments that emphasize conceptual development and
technical skills, students will explore the nature of the two-dimensional
medium, photography, and learn to use the creative effects of display
window, aperture, exposure time, camera movement, manipulation of
perspective, light and illumination.
The course also includes an introduction to basic digital image
manipulation, and input and output strategies, using digital cameras and
creative camera controls. It further explores masking techniques, paths,
panoramas, photo retouching, and stereoscopic imaging.
The course finally focuses on proficiency in working with equipment and
software combined with creativity to produce a quality portfolio.

Module Content Weeks

Introduction to Photography 1st
Introduction and
History
Introduction and Equipment overview and History of
History 2nd
photography
3rd
Composition
Basic Elements 4th
in Photography Exposure 5th
Working in Studio + Lighting 6th
7th
Portraits
8th
Subjects in
Eid Al Adha [expected] 9th
Photography
Object photography 10th
Architectural Photography 11th
Experimentation Macro photography 12th
in Photography Abstract photography 13th
Digital 14th
Post Production using Photoshop
Manipulation 15th
Final Exams Period 16th

.::. Projects

Students will be given a set of assignments and projects. Detailed briefs will
be given in due time. Students have to stimulate their thinking to come up
with interesting concepts that later on will be translated into photographs.
Creative manipulation of the subjects given will be highly appreciated.
.::. Learning Outcomes:

a) Knowledge and Understanding

1. Know how to use basic and professional digital cameras.
2. Know how to work with photo shooting sessions in a professional
studio.
3. Know how to shoot manually and in different angles to create different
styles of photography.
4. Know how to digitally enhance and manipulate photographs.

b) Intellectual Skills
5. Understand the basics of photographical compositions
6. Understand the history and development of photography as an art
form, a journalistic tool and an expressive tool for designers and
architects.

c) Professional Skills
7. Use all the knowledge and skills attained [as mentioned above] in the
process of creating a creative portfolio of photographs.

d) Transferable skills
8. Enhancing the student's verbal and visual communication of concepts,
compositional quality and visual sensitivity.

.::. Teaching Methods:

This course consists of two studio sessions per week, these sessions are
composed of:
[ ] Tutorials addressing aspects of using the camera and shooting
[ ] Lectures showcasing sample of well known photographs and
photographing techniques
[ ] Discussion sessions of given assignments.
[ ] Studio time to work on the projects and assignments on going.

Students will all sign in to a social network created for them [ http://
fusionists.ning.com/group/photography]. After signing in they will have to
contribute to this network by videos, images, discussion forums, etc. Their
contribution will be assessed as their course portfolio.
.::. Assessment
The criteria of assessment are:
[ ] Creative approaches to the project requirements and the level of
deviation from typical visual solutions.
[ ] The level of mastering the equipments and deploying them in the
creation of photographs.

The grading system:

1. Studio Projects: 70 %
Project 1 10%
Project 2 20%
Project 3 40%

2. Assigned Readings, exercises and homework 20%

3. Student's Portfolio [His/ her profile at [Fusionists network] 10%

Projects and assignments must be submitted on time. No late submittal is

accepted except in cases of emergency and meeting the instructor's and the
Dean's approval.

.::. References

:: Busch, David D., (2004) Mastering Digital Photography, Muska & Lipman
:: Kinghorn, Jay. (2005) Perfect Digital Photography, McGraw-Hill
:: Milburn, Ken, (2005) Digital Abstract and Macro Photography, Thomson
Course Technology PTR.
:: Peterson, Bryan L., (2003) Learning to See Creatively : Design, Color
and Composition in Photography, Amphoto Books, NY.
:: Walker, Richard J., (2000) Exploring Photography, Goodheart-Willcox