LEI0045 - Advanced Photography
Course Description
What does it mean to have an eye for photography? Is it something that comes naturally, or can you develop it through attention and direct experience? Asides from simply taking pictures, our way of seeing the world lets us recognize situations, composition, subject matter, light quality, patterns, shadows, textures, juxtapositions, moments in time, and we then put these elements together to create images that communicate something deep inside of us. To share with others our own distinct impression of the world. Completion of Beginning Photography or Intermediate Photography or equivalent knowledge is recommended prior to registration.Course Outline
Week 1
Telling A Visual Story With Photographs Looking At Photographs
In Depth Discussion On Composition The Perspective Of Vision
Assignment: Create a thought-out photograph and explain the composition
Week 2
The Value/Importance Of Learning About Photographic History (Images) Introduction To The History Of Photography (Images And Styles) Photography As Art
Photography As Journalism
Assignment: Create a journalistic photograph
Week 3
Techniques For Developing A Personal Vision Getting Out Of Your Comfort Zone Familiarizing Oneself With Composition
Finding Beauty Manipulating Aspect Ratio
Assignment: Create an image out of your comfort zone
Week 4
Utilizing Planning And Intent In Creating Images Capturing The Decisive Moment
Slowing Down When Photographing Learning To See With The Camera
Assignment: Create a black and white photograph
Week 5
Developing A Format For Shooting
Becoming Skillful In Having Images Communicate What You Wanted To Express Knowing Yourself What You Want To Express
Understanding A Scene Before You Photograph It. Assignment: Selfie
Week 6
If On An Assignment, How To Photograph What The Client Wants How To View A Scene By Light, Composition, Subject, Etc Knowing When Not To Take A Photograph
Assignment: Photograph a “client based” photograph
Week 7
Working With Lenses
Attention To The Quality Of Light Photography In The Age Of Photoshop Assignment: Create a photograph about light
Week 8
Manipulating and correcting images in Photoshop Class critique of student’s work
Review of class material
Learner Outcomes
Alternative and Ongoing Assignments:
Assignment; Utilize f/stops, shutter speeds, ISO, and lenses to show effects
Assignment: Create a visual photo story (choose a vital subject, let the viewer understand what the subject matter is, focus specifically on the subject, utilize a minimum of three images, maximum of seven, make sure it tells a story).
Assignment: Create a disturbing photograph, create a photograph that depicts a mood, create a portrait that has universal appeal
We will be taking photographs as part of the learning to see the photographic process throughout the course. This work is an integral part of the course
A critical key to making photographs is our way of “seeing” or our “vision.” Sometimes, we can think and put to work what we would understand to make a great picture, sometimes, we have to take a series of images to figure it out, and sometimes it comes naturally. It is developing this natural, organic way of making photographs that we will explore in this course.
Developing a keen photographic eye is a talent. But, like any talent, it can be learned if the photographer makes an effort to acquire the necessary perceptive skills and practice, practice, practice.
The final Assignment due last class is a completed printed photograph
Notes
Harold Rail WebsitePrerequisites
PHOTO 102: BEGINNING PHOTOGRAPHY
POINT AND SHOOT PHOTOGRAPHY I
POINT AND SHOOT PHOTOGRAPHY II
INTERMEDIATE PHOTOGRAPHY
To be exempt from any of these prerequisites, please submit samples of your work or portfolio to iboulos@harpercollege.edu for consideration. You may also mail the samples along with a letter to:
Issa Boulos
Coordinator, Community Music and Arts Center
Harper College, Continuing Education
1200 West Algonquin Road (Room C216)
Palatine, IL 60067
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Testimonials
Chicago’s Best Photography TeachersIf you’re suspicious of photographers who want you to invest in a trip to Kauai in order to take beautiful landscape shots, you’re already more perceptive than most and perhaps you just need to get to Harper College. A photographer in the U.S. Army and a graduate of Columbia College, Harold Rail makes a living in photojournalism, commercial, and creative photography, so the man has the chops. A decade's long dedication to Zen Buddhist practice informs his images with knowing nano-second captures of infinity – and, honestly, where else can you get the combo of experience and artistry? Rail champions the art of photography teaching affordable classes for children, teenagers, and adults at Harper College. See the eccentricity and enthusiasm that blooms in his photographic work on exhibit at the new Hyatt Centric in Chicago, too.