INTRODUCTION: For the first time in over a hundred years the field of photography is undergoing a revolution in basic technology: from film and chemicals to electronic bits and bytes. Digital applications that emulate traditional darkroom processes and techniques are not only newly-affordable but are taking over virtually every field of photography. The current commercial race to come out with ever-improved, less costly, high quality digital cameras points to a not-far-distant future where darkrooms, chemicals and silver-based film will be relegated to the same back shelf where you might find vinyl records and typewriters.

Technological development is one side of the coin. As the means to produce photographic images profoundly change, so do the aesthetic and critical issues that help us to understand the meaning of the work we are producing, and its context in contemporary society. It is important that we consider such issues as, for example, the relationship of digital arts to the traditional arts, how the means of production affect the content and meaning of the work, the ethics of appropriation, and the intersection of the commercial and fine art fields.

COURSE GOALS AND OUTCOMES: This class will give you a good working knowledge of the most widely used digital image-editing program: Adobe Photoshop. The course will emphasize the photographic applications of the program, particularly as they are appropriate for the production of photographic artwork. We will accomplish this by a combination of classroom demonstrations, how-to exercises, assignments, and critiques of your work.

Through assigned reading, classroom examples, class discussion, and peer critiques of your personal work, you will gain an understanding of some of the important critical, ethical, and social issues of this emerging medium of fine art expression.

EXERCISES: Throughout the semester you will complete short step by step "how-to" exercises, most of which you will complete either in class, or by the next class period. Exercises are designed to teach you basic aspects of the Photoshop application and allow you to practice certain techniques you will need to know for the assignments. They generally do not require much creativity; just follow the directions. Timely completion of exercises is essential since they generally build upon each other. Without this basic knowledge you will be unable to complete your creative assignments successfully, and will soon become quite lost. Grades for exercises are either "credit" or "no credit." At the end of the semester you will be given an overall grade for the exercises based on how many were completed on time.

ASSIGNMENTS: Photoshop assignments of a conceptual nature will be given on a regular basis throughout the semester. Each assignment is an opportunity to explore visually a particular idea or issue. These assignments are your chance to be creative in presentation and content. You are expected to incorporate the tools and technical skills you have learned up to that point while employing your imagination and ingenuity to express your personal ideas appropriate to the assignment theme. Letter grades will be given for Photoshop assignments.

We will also have four or five reading assignments to be followed by class discussion. You will be asked to write a brief summary and commentary for each reading assignment, discussing the significant ideas in each piece. Timely completion of each reading assignment is counted as an Exercise for the purpose of final grading.

ASSIGNMENT TURN-IN FORMATS: You will turn in your Photoshop assignments in two, and sometimes three forms (depending on the assignment): one version on a Zip disk or CD at full resolution, Photoshop format, with layers intact; the second version at low resolution (72dpi) with layers flattened, on the class server. The third version is a paper print. Your assignment must be on the class server AND Founders 202 Server Share Folder before 7:30 AM on the day it is due. You will turn in the Zip or CD disk version during class period on the due date. Each Zip or CD disk will be turned in in a 8 1/2" x 11" clear plastic sleeve along with a fully filled in Assignment Form (available on the Land-Weber Class Server). The Assignment Forms let me know what you have done to complete each assignment and are considered an essential part of the grading process.

You will turn in a Final Portfolio of exhibition quality prints from each assignment at the semester's end.

VERY IMPORTANT: Since the class lessons build upon each other, you must complete assignments in order, and on time, or you will be quite lost.

Late assignments drop a half grade if turned in by the following day of the due date, and a whole grade if turned in within two days. After two days, assignments will not be accepted.

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, and turn in a beautiful final project.

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 final project 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 final project that is to the best of your ability.

BOOKS:

Visual Quick Guide: PHOTOSHOP(current version) FOR THE MACINTOSH--required
THE RECONFIGURED EYE, by William J. Mitchell--recommended
Additional readings will be available at the Library Reserve Desk.
I have also ordered several optional Photoshop "how-to" books. They are all excellent, but a bit pricey. If you can afford them, they are worth the money.
All of the above books can be found in the Humboldt Book Store.

SUPPLIES AND OTHER COSTS:

• Eight Mac formatted Zip disks, or if you have the means to burn CDs outside of class, a supply of CD media

• 3 or 4 clear plastic binder-size sleeves, for turning in assignments. Available very cheaply at the HSU Bookstore.

• 2-4 rolls of color negative or positive film ? to shoot photos for your assignments

• Epson photo quality paper for final output prints. Available at Staples.

Working with Photoshop is exciting and fun. But it also entails many hours of work. Be prepared to put in a great deal of time outside of class hours. If you put in the time and effort, you will be rewarded with new knowledge and a great portfolio of images.

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