C o m m 3 0 0 D i g i t a l I m a g i n g • F a l l 2 0 1 5

1

hybrid course overviewStudents in the Digital Imaging hybrid course will master principles of digital photography and post-processing skills to capture, edit, prepare, size and optimize images for professional presentation in print and web media. Expertise in photography and image editing are equally vital in most related careers. Digital imaging skills can give the edge to applicants in many fields because of the high demand. Students in this course will meet in the classroom once a week where they will often have hand-on learning experiences. Access to a DSLR camera is highly recommended. Students may check out DSLR camera gear once a week to complete assignments, on a first-come first-serve basis. The prerequisite for this course is Comm 130 Visual Media so students will understand basic design principles.

learning outcomes1. Understand DLSR camera functions and principles of light, focus, composition and creativity to produce effective visual communication for targeted audiences. 2. Learn to use auxiliary lighting equipment to produce creative, quality images that need less post-production enhancement.3. Practice and apply image editing, sizing and optimization skills in industry-standard software for print and web applications.4. Publish and promote images through a weekly Wordpress blog, custom hardbound photobook, fine art print and social media channels.5. Practice the Learning Model through advance preparation, hands-on learning activities with formative feedback, peer review and student tutorials.6. Expand mastery of the design and typography principles, and acquire versatile digital imaging expertise to serve the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

bannack ghost townThe highlight of the course is a day-long, required photo excursion to Bannack Ghost Town in Montana, a well-preserved, uncommercialized gold mining town. The rich history, old buildings, artifacts and landscape provide excellent opportunities for hands-on learning.

materials: Access to a DSLR camera (Some available for limited 24-hr checkouts)Photo Excursion: $45 To cover travel bus, park fees, tours; dinner, models Fine Art Print: $16 One 16x24 large format print, mounted on foam corePhotobook: $20+ Hardbound photobook Required ebook: $18 Custom Images: Subscribe: www.customimages.carynesplin.com

course projectsProject 1: Photo Blog (spans 8 weeks) 120 points Blog Comments 21 points Project 2: Fine Art Print 25 points Project 3: Custom Tutorial 50 pointsProject 4: Photobook Portfolio (drafts, critiques, presentation) 75 points11 Activities / Syllabus Quiz + M.Skills Final 119 points Total Points: 411 points

D I G I TA L

weekly blog commentsStudents will view six classmate blogs, and comment on three different posts each week by leaving a meaningful paragraph and linkback. Students will report their weekly blog comments in I-Learn.

project 1: photo blogStudents will set up a blog during the first week of the semester. Existing blogs started in Comm 100 or 130 may be used if a separate category tab is setup to show all posts from this class. See instructions in I-Learn, or get help from a lab assistant. Project 1: Photo Blog will span the first eight weeks. Students will create blog posts each week in their WordPress blog to share their weekly photography and editing assignments. The only time past photos may be posted is in the first week. This blog will serve as a portfolio to practice SEO, (Search Engine Optimization) showcase skills and projects for future employment.

hybrid course designStudents meet in class once a week for two hours for instruction, hands-on learning, demonstrations, student tutorials and group critiques. All course deadlines are setup in a consistent weekly pattern with consistent deadlines. The course Schedule on the last page of this syllabus is the “go-to-guide” for this course and should be consulted frequently. It takes precedence over I-Learn, due to the problems that can occur there. The Schedule shows point values, deadlines and topics to be covered in class.

Students will submit weekly complete activities and links to their blog posts in I-Learn. Some printed projects will be turned in at the start of class. Students will complete most activities on their own time, since this is a hybrid course, but a few activities will be completed and submitted in class. Students may get assistance in the lab from experienced lab assistants.

courseworkStudents complete four main projects, detailed below. Each week of the course has a theme with a weekly activity for students to learn new skills and demonstrate their learning. There is a Sylllabus Quiz at the start of the course and a Mastery Skills Final at the end.

project 2: tutorialEach student will take a turn creating and presenting a custom photography or editing tutorial using their own images. The student tutorials will coincide with the topics covered in class. Students will sign up for a tutorial topic and date in I-Learn at the start of the semester. The tutorial will consist of at least seven steps, with at least two screen shots, and a well designed layout. Students will create a blog post and submit a YouTube video tutorial (screen capture), slide presenation, or Prezi, and a well-designed print layout.

project 3: fine art printStudents print and present their best 16x24 image from the P1 Photo Blog as a large format Fine Art Print. Some will be selected to display in frames in the Spori halls.

project 4: photobook Students use their best images from P1 Photo Blog to design and publish a custom 20-page photobook. Instructions and samples are available in I-Learn. Each student will submit pdfs of their pages for group and instructor critique prior to publishing their book. Students will present their final photobook on the last day of class, which is required for a passing grade in the course. 2

D I G I TA L

photographics society: www.byuiphotographics.orgMembership and attendance in the BYU-I Photographics Society weekly meetings is strongly encouraged. Students who attend the weekly meetings find it to be an excellent companion to Comm 300, especially since this is a hybrid course with reduced classroom time. Advanced students and guest experts teach the latest skills with cameras, photography and image-editing software. Students are also required to enter at least one photographic contest during the semester. One of the three main Photographics Society contests will qualify.

deadlines • attendance In accordance with Comm. Dept. policy, late work will not be accepted. This policy prepares students to meet important deadlines in careers. Many photographers procrastinate or spend too long making decisions and consequently lose important accounts. Remember that projects are not complete until they are delivered before deadline in the manner requested by the client. This means blog posts must be commplete before the link is placed in I-Learn, as required.

client simulation To prepare students for real-world client experiences, projects will be graded from a specific rubric on a specific time schedule. Students should pay attention to the details of the assignment just as they would to a client request. Effective visual communicators notice details, and learn to make decisions quickly. In this course, the client is the instructor. Submitting work before the deadlines without excuses will help prepare students for future client experiences.

disabilites • ethicsIn compliance with applicable disability law, qualified students with a disability may be entitled to “reasonable accommodation.” Students must disclose to the teacher any special need she/he may have before the end of the first week of class. Students are expected to observe the BYU-Idaho Honor Code. All work must be original. Copyright laws will be strictly observed and violations may result in project or course failure, depending on the seriousness of the violation.

courtesy policy Students are expected to follow the Courtesy Policy, used in all Visual Comm courses, to foster more professional communication. Employers tell us that many interns and recent graduates lose their chance for successful employment because they complain about insignificant issues. This behavior also shows up when students complain about grades. Some fight unsuccessfully for a few points, then end up losing opportunities and other unrealized benefits.

Students are rewarded five bonus “courtesy points” to compensate for grading errors and subjectivity, provided they follow the expectations of the policy. Students may appeal a grade if they feel there was an error greater than the five courtesy points. If the appeal fails, students lose the courtesy points and may lose additional points during a second grade evaluation.

The appeal process includes studying the University Grading System, which explains that meeting the minimum requirements constitutes an average 80% grade. To receive higher, students need to strive to produce higher quality work. Most students who appeal usually realize their grade is justified, or that they will end up fighting for only a few points, so it is not worth losing the courtesy points. The same is true in the workplace and life. Most confrontations are not worth the negative consequences.

3

D I G I TA L

D E A D L I N E S C L A S S T I M E

Wk Unit Date Deadlines: 11:59pm Tue & Sat (Or at the start of class for in-class work)

Points Topics covered in class

1 SetupSept 15 TueSept 19 Sat

Syllabus Review Quiz Blog 1: Past Photos & A1: Tutorial Signup

1010/5

Overview - L-F-C-C Principles - Intros - Blog Setup Image Sizing - Blog 2: Visual FOCUS Slide Design

P1 Photo Blog - Spans 8 weeksP2 Tutorial - Given in class Week 3-9 50

2 Review Sept 22 Tue Sept 26 Sat

Blog 2: VISUAL FOCUS: Photobook DesignBlog 2 Comments / A2: Pre Test (Im File Typ

15 3/10

Exposure - Camera Setup - Modes Settings (Pict Style)

Bring Camera: Cameras: Priority Modes: Motion

3 Light

Sept 29 Tue Oct 3 Sat

Blog 3: LIGHT: Motion (Freeze & Blur)Blog 3 Comments / A3: Content Aware

153/5

Depth - Workflow - Photoshop CA Fill & Scaling - Lt Ptg

Bring Camera: Cameras: Priority Modes: Motion

4 Focus Oct 6 Tue Oct 10 Sat

Blog 4: FOCUS: Depth (Deep and Shallow)Blog 4 Comments / A4: PS Skills

153/5

Photoshop: Masks; Sharp & Straight - D&B - Adj Layers - Compositing - Collage - Hands on: Adobe Photoshop

5 Comp Oct 13 Tue Oct 17 Sat

Blog 5: COMPOSITION: Perspective of 12 Blog 5 Comments / A5 LR Skills

153/5

Lightroom - Macro

Bring Camera: Hands on: Macro & Lightroom

6 Creativity Oct 20 Tue Oct 24 Sat

Blog 6: CREATIVITY: Close up & PersonalBlog 6 Comments / A6 Reflectors

153/5

Portraits - Posing - Enhancements

Bring Camera: Reflector Workshop

7 PortraitsOct 27 Tue Oct 31 Sat

Blog 7: PORTRAITSBlog 7 Comments / A7: Speedlighting

153/5

Bannack - Auxiliary Lighting - Groups: Concept Portrait

Bring Camera: A7 in class

J

8 Bannack Nov 3 Tue Nov 7 Sat

Blog 8: BANNACK Lev &/OR Comp- 5Best Blog 8 Comm / A8: Type Techniques (B theme)

20 3/5

InDesign Master Pages - Book - Typography

9 Book Nov 10 Tue Nov 14 Sat

1 Spread + Cover, TOC & Professional PageA9: Half Book

5/55

Group Critique - Bring Smart phone: Phonography

Workshop - Lg Format Printing Tips

10 Book Nov 17 Tue Nov 19 Thu Nov 21 Sat

Full Book PDF - Submit & CritiqueSubmit Photobook A10: Fine Art Draft

5/55/5

5

Bring 3+ Printed pages - Subm Demo - Critique Individual Office Critique

11 Book Nov 24 Tue Nov 27 Sat

Fine Art Draft CritiqueA11: Social Media FB & Instagram

55 NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING BREAK

12 Fine Art Dec 1 Tue Dec 5 Sat

P3 Fine Art Print & BlogA12: Light Painting

255

Bring 16x24 Print and Small Flashlight: Light Painting Workshop

13 Present Dec 8 Tue Dec 12 Sat

P4 Photobook & BlogA13: Contest

505

Bring PhotobookFinal Photobook Portfolio - Presentation

14 Final Dec 14 Mon Dec 16 Wed

Pick up Photobook by 5pm - Instructor’s officeMastery Skills Demo & Final

540

TOTAL POINTS 411

C o m m 3 0 0 D i g i t a l I m a g i n g • F a l l 2 0 1 5

Oct 30 Fri Bannack Ghost Town Photo Excursion 6:00am - 9:00pm - Meet van at BYU-I Center Circle

S C H E D U L ED I G I TA L