Folsom Lake College
Spring 2008 • Room FL2 240 • LAB FL2 240
Photography 400 • Digital Imaging
Lecture: Tuesdays/Thursdays 1:00-1:50 p.m. • Course Code: 14366
Lab: Tuesdays/Thursdays 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. • Course Code: 14366
Instructor: Betty Sederquist
Voice Mail: 1 (800) 486-8156x15071
E-mail: betty@sederquist.com
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 12:30 – 1 p.m., PLE (Pod G), or Room FL2-240, depending on room availability. Website (contains assignments, handouts, extensive photo links, suggested reading materials, many tips): www.sederquist.com/class.html
Text: Adobe Photoshop CS3: Classroom in a Book. © 2007 Adobe Press. ISBN 13978-0-321-49202-9. Available from the college bookstore, private retailers and online. (alternate text if you have older versions of the software at home: Adobe Photoshop 7: Classroom in a Book, Adobe Photoshop CS Classroom in a Book, Adobe Photoshop CS2 Classroom in a Book--Please discuss special arrangements for assignments with instructor).
Materials: If you print your assignments at the college, a small lab fee is charged per print to cover cost of printer ink. You will be printing at least 16 pages (but expect to print at least double that number to allow for mistakes). If you will be working on projects during classroom time and you need to save them, or if you will be transporting files between home and class, a memory/jump stick/flash drive at least 1 gig in size (available at many office supply and warehouse stores) is strongly suggested, as projects cannot be saved to school computers. Some students with high-speed connections email their projects to their home computers but keep in mind that Photoshop files can be very large. You are responsible for supplying your own photo paper (avoid off-brand papers and also note that Kodak papers do NOT work well in our Epson printers at the college). We suggest using papers designed for the particular brand of printer you will be using (for example, the school printers are made by Epson, so use Epson photo paper; Kirkland papers from Costco also work well). You will also need a film camera (even a simple disposable camera is adequate) OR 5-megapixel or larger digital camera.
Course Description: This is an introductory course in digital imaging and electronic desktop photography. Methods currently used in publishing and home printing will be emphasized. The class includes lectures, use of computers and scanners, computer slide presentations, occasional off-campus class meetings, and a final written exam. Topics listed in the lecture schedule are subject to change. Course is CSU transferable.
Grading: The instructor reserves the right to adjust grades based on class participation and assignments turned in a timely manner. The instructor will take roll and reserves the right to drop students from the roster if they are absent for three consecutive classes without contacting the instructor, although ultimately it is the student’s responsibility to drop the class. Several pop quizzes will be given during the semester and cannot be made up, so regular attendance is strongly suggested. Students must complete, print and turn in four major assignments in addition to the textbook exercises described below and on a separate sheet. Points are deducted for late assignments. A final written exam is based on lectures and assigned textbook lessons. Plagiarism from the Internet and other sources is not tolerated and will result in an automatic “F” grade. Grades are assigned as follows: 90-100%=A; 80-89.9%=B; 70-79.9%=C; 60-69.9%=D; 59.9% and below=F.
Please turn OFF all cell phones during lecture. Also, during lecture, computers may be used for note taking and following along with Photoshop concepts presented in lecture, but not for other activities such as email, or web surfing unrelated to Photoshop. This is valuable time for you. No food or drink permitted in the classroom.
Folsom Lake College is committed to providing access to education for students with disabilities. If you have a disability or medical condition that requires an accommodation, please see the instructor within the first two weeks of class so arrangements can be made.
-------------------
During the first part of the semester, lectures closely follow the information presented in the textbook. Technique is presented BEFORE you start on the assignment; you then have two weeks to complete each textbook assignment. Because Photoshop is a complex topic, much of the lecture material goes beyond what is in the textbook.
For major assignments you will receive a separated, detailed handout.
1/22: Introduction: Computer resources, class workflow, expectations, grading, assignment overviews, questionnaire
Lab: Logging into campus system and getting passwords. Textbook Lesson 1, pages 11-54: Getting started with the Photoshop work area and review of students’ computer and digital camera equipment. You are not required to turn in this assignment, but it does give you an excellent overview of Photoshop CS3.
1/24: The Photoshop workspace: basic computer navigation; a quick overview of menus, tools, document window, option bars and palettes, and the “language” of digital imaging
Lab: Continue Lesson 1
1/29: Basic photo corrections
Lab: Begin textbook lesson 2, page 57-80
1/31: Basic camera settings and operation: f-stops, shutter speeds, tripods and more
Lab: Bring your camera and manual to the lab and we’ll be examining cameras outside, weather permitting.
2/5: Digital camera workflow, resolution, output, canvas size, image size, storage devices
Lab: Continue textbook lesson 2
2/7: Bit depth, color spaces, monitor calibration
Lab: Continue Lesson 2. Practice Adobe Gamma and converting bit depth and color space. Read parts of Lesson 14, pages 450-459 (you don't have to turn in this assignment).
2/12: Retouching and repairing
Lab: Textbook lesson 3, Retouching and Repairing, pages 83-101 (5 points)
Bring at least two old, damaged photos to class for review for your first major assignment.
2/14: Scanning and sharpening
Lab: Begin scanning and restoring old photos. Continue Lesson 3
Assignment 1: restore two old, damaged photos (50 points). Due March 25.
Continue Lesson 3
2/19: Scanners and sharpening (continued); more retouching techniques
Lab: Continue Lesson 3 (5 points). Practice scanning with college or home scanner. Begin scanning and restoring photos.
2/21: Basics of light and composition
Lab: Continue Lesson 3. In your daily lives, look for photos with great light and composition. Practice "seeing" like a film sensor.
2/26: Working with selections; as time permits, more on photo restoration
Lab: Textbook lesson 4: working with selections, pages 104-136 (5 points)
2/28: Camera exposure basics. Levels and curves. Shadow/highlight filter
Lab: Continue Lesson 4
3/4: Layer basics
Lab: Textbook lesson 5: layer basics, pages 140-170 (5 points)
Assignment 2: Magazine ad (50 points). Due March 27.
3/6: Painting and the brush tool
Lab: Continue Lesson 5
3/11: Masks and channels
Lab: Begin textbook lesson 6, pages 173-209 (5 points)
3/13: Copyright and plagiarism issues
Lab: Continue Lesson 6
Spring Recess: March 17-21
3/25: Correcting and enhancing digital photos. Overview of Adobe Lightroom software
Class Critique of photo restoration assignment
Lab:Begin Lesson 7, pages 211-245
3/27: Filters and plug-ins. Class critique of magazine ad assignment
Lab: Continue Lesson 7
4/1: Typographic Design
Lab: Textbook Lesson 8: pages 247-275 (5 points)
Assignment 3: Music CD cover (50 points). Due May 6
4/3: Digital cameras (continued); RAW format
Lab: Continue Lesson 8 and CD cover
4/8: Photoshop in the commercial print world
Lab: Continue Lesson 8 and CD cover
4/10: Vector drawing techniques
Lab: Textbook lesson 9, pages 281-310; continue working on music CD cover
4/15:Advanced layering
Lab: Continue Lesson 9 and CD cover
4/17: Guest speaker (TBA)
Lab: Textbook lesson 10, Advanced layering, page 313-337 (5 points )
4/22: Advanced layer techniques; adjustment layers, blending modes
Lab: Continue Lesson 10 and music CD cover
4/24: Field Trip (TBA)
Assignment 4: Magazine cover (80 points). Due May 13.
4/29: Advanced compositing; actions, batch processing and other shortcuts, smart filters
Lab: Lesson 11, Advanced Compositing, pages 343-378.
5/1: Color to black white, black and white to color, hand coloring, sepia toning; paper choices and profiles. Enhancing landscapes. Magazine cover considerations.
Lab: Continue Lesson 11.
5/6: Portraiture: amazing digital tricks and tips. Critique CD Cover
Lab: Practice spotting and retouching; work on magazine cover
5/8: Magazine layout options, continued. Real world job opportunities using Photoshop
Lab: Magazine cover
5/13: A few special tricks. Review for final.
Lab: Magazine cover
5/15: Critique magazine cover. More special tricks
Lab: Finish up and turn in any uncompleted projects
5/20: Final exam
Lab: Finish up and turn in any uncompleted projects