ASSIGNMENTS: Assignments will vary from semester to semester. Occasionally there will be a special theme for the course. The following are some of the topics covered in previous classes.

TEN PRINT THEMATIC PORTFOLIO

You will produce a portfolio of ten gorgeous, perfect prints. You will first submit your portfolio idea in writing for approval by your instructor. Ideally, each portfolio will represent an exploration of a particular theme or idea. At the beginning of your project your idea might be of a somewhat general nature. The process of photographing intensively over a period of time, while taking into consideration suggestions from class critiques of work in progress, will help to focus your portfolio theme.

VIEW CAMERA AND STUDIO LIGHTING

Class demonstrations will introduce you to the view camera, studio lighting, using a light meter, and how to expose and develop 4x5 sheet film. Your assignment will be to produce a minimum of two excellent photographs using the view camera, one of which will demonstrate use of the camera's perspective controls.

Class demonstrations will dispel the mystery of making color prints from color negatives. We will discuss color theory and issues of photographing in color versus black and white. There will be two Color Photography assignments, one exploring several aspects of color theory, the other intended to help you evaluate color balance in the darkroom.

Several assignments will explore specialized areas of Photoshop for scanning and printing exhibition quality work from your color and black and white negatives.

ALTERNATIVE PROCESSES

Introduction to some of the basic antique processes that require making basic photo-sensitive emulsions from "scratch," coating the emulsion on a variety of types of paper and other materials, and contact printing using a strong ultra-violet light source, preferably the sun.

LAB DAYS: One of your responsibilities for this class is to be prepared to use the class lab periods and not rely solely on "open" labs. This means you will need to have negatives, paper and whatever else you need for printing in the darkroom (not developing film) ready before class begins. Please do all of your film developing during "open lab" periods, so that you can use your instructor's help during class lab time most effectively.

CLASSROOM DAYS: Classroom days will be reserved for critiques, demonstrations, discussions,and slide presentations or videos on the work of photographers of interest to the class. Once we get underway in the darkroom you will be expected to bring at least two work prints from the project you are working on to class each week for a very informal critique.

BOOKS: A very good book to have, if you don't already own it, is London and Upton--PHOTOGRAPHY, available in the bookstore. This book covers exposure-development relationship, view camera basics, color photography, studio lighting, and much more. It is a good reference book to keep for the future.

GRADES: Your grade is based on how much you personally accomplish in this class. Important considerations are the quality of the final portfolio, class participation, attendance, how much you challenge yourself and how far your work progresses during the semester. If you want to get an A, I will expect pretty close to perfect attendance, a gorgeous portfolio, successful completion of the view camera and color exercises, and active participation in class critiques and discussions. For a B, you might miss up to three classes, turn in a portfolio that reflects conscientiousness and hard work, successfully complete the view camera and color exercises, and have moderate class participation. For a C, you might miss up to 5 classes, turn in all assignments, and have minimal class participation.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES:

• Darkroom chemicals are provided. If you decide to do extra color work, you will need to purchase additional color chemistry

• 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.

• Dial type photographic thermometer-Optional, but strongly recommended

• Film: T-Max, 400 or 100 speed is recommended- (about 15 rolls). You will be needing some 4 x 5 sheet film. The most economical way is to split a box of 25 sheets with one or two other students. You will also be needing four or five rolls of color negative film.

• 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. 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. You will also need paper for printing from color negatives. Details supplied in class

• 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 ves--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.

• 3 100MB Zip disks formatted to work on 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

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST: Depending on how carefully you shop and how much you print, you can expect to spend between $200 and $300.

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