The purpose of this course is two-fold. The first is simple; to gain a fundamental knowledge of the basics of black and white photography, including camera operations, exposing and developing negatives, and printing the negative to make a high quality print. You will also learn spotting and dry mounting techniques, and be introduced to digital photographic image processing. The second, equally important goal is to develop an understanding of photography as a medium of personal expression. We will look at and discuss your own work and that of other photographers to try to discover the significant ideas and how they are expressed photographically.

Your active participation in ALL class activities is vital to the success of this course.

ASSIGNMENTS: Exact details for each assignment will be given in class. The most important thing is that you make each assignment work well for you. PHOTOGRAPH WHAT INTERESTS AND PLEASES YOU, not your teacher. Subject matter is usually not specified in any assignment, but rather a photographic idea to work out. Assignments are due on the day of critique for that assignment. You will turn in 2-4 unmounted 8x10 prints for each assignment.

TEXT: Please buy one of the following text books: Photography by Barbara London & John Upton, or A Short Course in Photography. also by Barbara London. Both books are available in the Humboldt University Bookstore. The first is bigger, more comprehensive, more lavishly illustrated, and is the best choice if you think you will go beyond the beginning level. Of course, it also costs more. The second is equally good for the basics we will cover in this course, but doesnąt go beyond those topics. Earlier editions of Upton's book and other excellent photography books are also in the library. It is very important that you keep up with the reading assignments in the beginning of the semester to help familiarize yourself with the processes before class time. The midterm will be based on information in the assigned chapters.

GRADES: Grades are based on work turned in for assignments, quality of the final portfolio, class attendance, and participation.

How to get an "A"in this class: Attend all of the classes, complete all of your assignments on time, and have all of the work you produce be of excellent quality, if not the first time, than with a redo or revision soon thereafter (not all at the end of the semester), and turn in a beautiful portfolio.

For a "B" I would expect you to miss no more than 3 or 4 class periods over the semester, complete all of the assignments on time or with redos whenever suggested, and turn in the best portfolio you are capable of. For a grade of "C" I would expect you to miss no more than 5 class periods, and complete most of the assignments, with some redos and turn in a complete portfolio that is to the best of your ability.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES:

• All the chemicals you will use in the lab will be provided to you at no cost.

• Camera with adjustable focus, aperture and shutter speed, that can be used manually, or in a non-automatic mode--Required item

• Stainless steel film tank, and 2 reels-- there are always a few in the lab, but they tend to be broken in inobtrusive ways. It's best to have your own. Optional

• Dial type photographic thermometer-Optional, but strongly recommended

• Film: T-Max, 400 or 100 speed is recommended. 400 has larger grain but is good in our typically low-light days. 100 takes a brighter light and is better for portraits. You will need 15 rolls. Required
• Photographic paper: Kodak Polyfiber F, 8x10, (not resin-coated), double weight, OR Ilford Multigrade Fiber base, 8 x 10, double weight glossy, OR Arista FBMG, required item. Alternatively you can buy RC (resin-coated) paper if you really need to save money. It is good paper, but sometimes has a slick plastic look and feel to it.

• 32 oz. graduate-optional purchase
• Church key can opener-optional , but cheap and highly recommended

• Small hand towel-Required item

• 5 or 6 pieces light proof light weight cardboard about 8"x10"--Required item

• Bicycle spoke (buy at bike shop)- or wooden sishkabob skewer (not a metal one) for dodging tool- Required item

• Plastic binder and plastic negative sleeves to hold 7 strips of negatives with 5 negatives per strip--Required item

• Sturdy box for your prints-Required item

• #3 spotone and #000 spotting brush-Required items, later in the semester.

• Mounting board and dry mount tissue--required later in the semester

• Small sharp scissors-Required item

• Canned air, photo glove and negative cleaner; some combination or all of these for cleaning negatives--required

• Lens cleaner and lens tissue; for your camera

• Grain magnifier--we have these in the darkroom, but it's nice to have your own. Optional

• Tripod would be handy, not required. We have some for check out.

• 2 or 3 100MB Zip disks for Mac computers.

• Freestyle (Los Angeles): 800 292 6137, www.freestylephoto.biz (cheap, but not always quick)

• Rainier (Seattle): 800-ALL-FILM, www.rainierphoto.com (Takes two days. Very reliable, but usually a bit more expensive)

• Adorama (New York): 800 223 2500 www.adorama.com

• B&H Photo (New York): 800 606 6969 www.bhphotovideo.com

• Local stores:
  • Swanlund's, F St, between 5th and 6th, Eureka

  • Henderson Photo, Henderson Center., F Street between Henderson and Harris Streets, Eureka

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