Syllabus

Description

This class will cover a variety of creative and technical aspects of lighting with an emphasis on portable studio and location lighting photography. You will learn through lectures, demonstrations, hands-on exercises, assignments, reading and writing.

Objectives

• To gain competence and confidence using external strobes on location and with a portable studio.
• To learn advanced lighting techniques.
• Demonstrate through a collection of work that you can make compelling images with external strobes.

Hands-on

Lighting with strobes is impossible to learn while contemplating it in a corner. As such, we will be shooting just about every other week in small groups out on location or with portable studios in the classroom.

Assignments:

The purpose of each assignment is for you to put into practice, the principles discussed, demonstrated and practiced in class. You must use strobes for all assignments. No hot lights are aloud. Natural light may be used but not as a main source of light. All assignments except for The Final Project, will require you to photograph two COMPLETELY different photos of two COMPLETELY different situations.

BOUNCE FLASH
Shoot several creative images depicting bounce flash and extreme bounce flash. This is the only assignment that allows you to use the strobe on camera.
-100 points

Nic Paradise,18 of Rochester, Michigan practices different tagging styles. Paradise has been making graffiti since the 4th grade. “I like the exposure. I like my name to be known for my style (of Graffiti), I like different styles for different areas. You meet all kinds of different people (through graffiti) just like skateboarding. It’s like addicting, it’s like an adrenaline rush. It’s like not a lot of people know the feeling or experience. It’s something I live for. There’s that risk and that fear factor to it and It’s something I need to do,” Paradise said. -By Alexander Stawinski (2005)

LOCATION LIGHTING
You will learn to control and use lights technically and creatively on location.
–100 points

PORTABLE STUDIO PORTRAIT
Connecting with your subject, you will capture the essence of a person, using props, clothes, poses and expression with a portable studio you may check out of the equipment closet with a buddy.
–100 points

FASHION
Many newspapers and online magazines periodically run a fashion spread. Some specialize in fashion. Fashion can be a fun diversion from the everyday assignments of a photojournalist.
–100 points

SPORTRAIT
Photograph an athlete in the studio and on location
-100 points

FINAL PROJECT PORTFOLIO
A booklet type of portfolio will be due at the end of the semester.
–400 points

Five Thought Pieces

A thought piece is a short paper in which I would like to hear your thoughts about how the material applies to you. Personal experiences and how you will apply the material to your daily life are the most important. Do not regurgitate the material. You will be required to write 500 words double spaced with a Times 12 point font with 1 inch margins. Print your thought pieces and bring them to class on the due date. Keep track of the due dates on the schedule.
-20 points each -100 points total

Captions

Write thorough captions. Not just a name. Not just where. Write about your subject. Put creative effort and thought into your captions. Write quotes (see caption above by Alexander Stawinski). Always keep in mind that this class is part of the journalism program.

Blogging

You will blog your in-class assignments and your graded assignments. Hands-on class exercise blog posts are due by Friday evening at midnight. Your graded assignment posts are due on your blog before the class in which the assignment is due. You must write a complete and compelling caption for each photo. Write about your experiences. Include any information that could help your fellow students. Other students and myself want to read about what you learned, and the process of how you made your photos. Include comments about lighting and any other pertinent information. Do not include complaints in your posts. We do not want to know how hard the assignment was. We know it was difficult. We do not want to hear how many people backed out on you. All posted images must be toned properly. Your hands-on assignments will not be graded but if they are not posted you will lose a letter grade for the assignment. We will use your blog to critique your images in class. Refer to this paragraph often.

In-class assignments

We will work in small groups and teams doing hands-on exercises for each assignment. Please post these photos with captions and blog about your experience within two days. Each photo must be toned. You may not use photos taken during class activities for your class assignments.

Schedule

The schedule includes deadlines for all readings and assignments. It is your responsibility to be aware of all deadlines.

Re-shoots

If you turn in your assignments complete and on time, you will be eligible to re-shoot any of your assignments (except for the final project) for an improved grade.

Buddy System

You will choose a buddy to work with during the semester. Help each other shoot your assignments. Be an assistant for each other. Work together brainstorming ideas, checking out equipment, transporting equipment, getting models, helping set up and moving lights, and making suggestions during shoots. Some very close relationships have blossomed from the buddy system in this class. You will have a week to find a buddy. Contact your buddy when you need support, encouragement and advice. You must be in close contact with your buddy all semester. All assignments must be looked over by your buddy before they are blogged and turned in. Expectations include going over each other’s take and helping to tone and edit photos. Being a good buddy and seeking out your buddy will make a huge difference in your ability to prosper in this class.

Deadlines

I do not accept late work. For emergencies, speak with me before the due date or you will receive a 0 for that assignment.

Attendance

• Attendance is mandatory.
• Do not set up appointments during class time.
• If you miss class without excuse, nothing due that day will be counted.

Critique

During critique and when presenting your work, try to be open-minded and accepting of constructive criticism. You are not here to defend your work. You will become a better photographer if you listen and take to heart what has been said. Listen to other’s point of view. Try not get defensive. Learning to hear and embrace constructive criticism will help you learn and grow. Seek answers to your questions or provide details about how you will overcome a problem or how you will face it differently in the future. As a classmate, don’t hesitate to use praise if the work is strong. Speak your mind with the intent of helping your classmates. For some of you, this will be difficult but that is part of growing. Challenge yourself and speak up. Your participation during critique will be part of your assignment grade.

Required Text:

The Hot Shoe Diaries by Joe McNally

Required Items:

Digital SLR Camera
External hard drive

Recommended Items:

Laptop
Strobe with at least 180 degrees swivel.

Covid 19

See this page for Covid information and resources. If you are sick, do not come to class.

Other Rules

• Keep your phones in your pocket, purse or backpack. You will be able to check them during the break or after class.
• Photographs taken before the beginning of the semester will not be accepted.
• Avoid photographing family and friends. There is a tendency to make image that they like rather than shooting for the universal audience.
• Some assignments may be retained for future use as examples unless you request that they not be used.
• You may borrow equipment from the journalism department. Please return your equipment in on time for the benefit of your classmates. If you are late more than three times, you may lose your borrowing privileges.
• Take good care of equipment. If something breaks, report it to me immediately. Failure to do so, will cause your classmates undue distress. There is nothing worse than arriving at the studio with models ready to shoot only to find out the studio is unusable.
• Photographs turned in for your assignments must be your original work.
• Do not use photoshop to add or take away elements of the original camera file. The content of a photograph must not be altered by adding, rearranging, reversing, distorting or removing people and/or objects from within the frame. We will follow the rules of manipulation from the World Press Photo Contest.
• If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out from your classmates what you missed.
• Hands-on work may not be used for graded assignments.
• Photos that you turn in to another class will be counted as a 0.
• When posting vertical photos, reduce the height so viewers can see the entire image on a laptop. Failure to do so will result in the loss of a letter grade. Causing your viewer to scroll to see a photo is unprofessional and unacceptable.

Academic Integrity

Plagiarism or using images that are not your original work are not acceptable. Fabrication of images and/or multimedia is also not acceptable. Any of this conduct constitutes academic dishonesty and all who are found guilty of such acts will be referred to the Office of Student Life for discipline and will result in a failing grade for this course. Your work is expected to comply with the University’s Policy on Academic Integrity. Copies of this policy are available on the University’s web site at: http://ethics.cmich.edu/ACADEMIC_INTEGRITY_POLICY.pdf

Use of Artificial Intelligence
Generated Materials Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and platforms (e.g., Generative Fill Adobe Photoshop,
ChatGPT, Google AI, Boost.ai, Jasper, etc.) are new technological additions to the higher education landscape and are
rapidly evolving. Submitting text and other products generated by AI tools and platforms as your own original work is
prohibited and a violation of CMU’s Academic Integrity policy. Do not use it in your work for my class.

Diversity and Sexual Harassment

We are part of a diverse community. It is my goal to provide a comfortable learning environment for all students. If you experience any kind of racial prejudice or sexual harassment from another individual or individuals, please report it to me immediately. These matters will be addressed strongly and swiftly.

Classroom Civility

Each CMU student is encouraged to help foster an atmosphere that facilitates learning and which promotes dignity and mutual respect regardless of background, culture or racial differences. Students who speak at inappropriate times, sleep in class, display hostility, engage in loud or distracting behaviors or who are otherwise disrespectful toward others may be asked to leave the class and be subjected to disciplinary action under the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Disciplinary Procedures.

American Disabilities Act

Central Michigan University provides individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to participate in university activities. Individuals with disabilities requiring an accommodation should call the service director. Please refer to their website at: http://www.cmich.edu/ada/students.htm

Department of Journalism Program Statement and Learning Outcomes

1. Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of the Journalism is to foster in its students the skills, values, and practices associated with professional journalism and strategic communication; to further their understanding of how those attributes intersect with local, national and global citizenship; to demand critical thinking; to challenge them to be the creators of and leaders in a constantly changing communication environment, and to fully engage with diverse audiences.

2. Department’s Goals for learning

1) Job Skills—Prepare students with job skills necessary to establish accountability to employers and audiences.

2) Knowledge—Provide students with a body of knowledge and a system of inquiry and scholarship that inform and enrich their professional preparation.

3) Professionalism—Prepare students for a profession in which they are accountable to clients and the public for their ethics, service, and professional competence.

3. Student Learning Outcomes

1) Legal Understanding—Understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, as well as understand the range of systems of freedom of expression around the world, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances.

2) Historical Understanding—Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications.

3) Understanding Domestic Diversity—Demonstrate an understanding of gender, race ethnicity, sexual orientation and, as appropriate, other forms of diversity in domestic society in relation to mass communications.

4) Understanding Global Diversity—Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of peoples and cultures and of the significance and impact of mass communications in a global society.

5) Understanding and Applying Theories and Concepts—Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information.

6) Ethical Understanding—Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness, and diversity.

7) Critical thinking skills—Think critically, creatively and independently.

8) Research Competency—Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.

9) Writing Competency—Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences, and purposes they serve.

10) Evaluative Competency—Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style, and grammatical correctness.

11) Quantitative Competency—Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts.

12) Tool Competency—Apply current tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work and to understand the digital world.