South  Portland,  Maine  04106  

ART  DEPARTMENT  
 

Title:  Photography  I     Catalog  Number:  ARTS-­‐  170    

Credit  Hours:  3   Lecture  (or  Lab) MW 3:00-5:30 OR 6:00-8:30
Instructor:  Suzanne  Simmons            
E-­‐mail:   suzanne.d.simmons@gmail.com OR via the class site

Course  Syllabus  
Course  Description  
This  class  will  introduce  and  explore  the  technical,  h istorical  and  conceptual  concerns  of  the  photograph  as  a  form  of  
artistic  expression.  Much  of  the  work  will  b e  done  in  the  d igital  environment,  but  projects  can  include  other  forms  of  
making  photographic  imagery.  Students  will  gain  a  working  knowledge  of  adobe  Photoshop  as  it  relates  to  a  more  
traditional  mode  of  image  making.  The  central  goal  of  the  class  is  for  students  to  learn  the  vocabulary  and  grammar  of  
the  medium  and  find  their  own  way  of  using  it  creatively  to  express  original  visual  ideas  and  unique  p erspectives.  
Discussion  will  focus  on  gaining  an  understanding  of  the  contemporary  and  h istorical  contexts  from  which  we  work.  
Class  time  will  b e  d evoted  to  lectures,  demonstrations,  critiques,  slide  talks,  lab  time,  and  visits  to  galleries  and  
museums.  
 
Course  Objectives  
• Engage  and  understand  basic  camera  controls.  
• Engage  and  understand  basic  Photoshop  functions.  
• Employ  the  vocabulary  of  photographic  language  to  engage  in  critical  d iscussions.  
• Produce  a  photographic  portfolio.  
• Present  and  display  finished  work  in  a  professional  manner.  
 
Course  Requirements  
• Complete  a ll  in-­‐class  and  homework  assignments.  
• Complete  a ll  readings  and  d emonstrate  comprehension  in  class  discussion.  
• Spend  a t  least  two  hours  p er  week  working  on  photographic  projects  outside  of  class.    
• Present  a  mid-­‐term  photographic  project  and  a  final  p hotographic  project.  
• Actively  participate  in  studio  projects,  d iscussions  and  critiques.  
 
Materials  
In  addition  to  a  d igital  camera,  each  student  will  b e  responsible  for  providing  limited  materials  for  specific  projects.  
Those  may  include  b lack  CDs/DVDs,  ink-­‐jet  paper  and  mat  b oard.  You  should  always  have  a  way  to  bring  your  files  to  and  
from  class;  a  USB  thumb  drive  might  b e  the  b est  choice  for  this.  Bring  your  cameras,  memory  cards,  and  USB  cable  to  
each  class  so  you  can  download  your  images.  Local  vendors  for  photography  and  art  supplies  are  listed  below.  Mail  
order,  given  enough  time,  is  also  a  good  p ossibility  for  certain  items,  Be  sure  to  ask  if  there  is  a  student  d iscount  when  
purchasing  materials.  
 

ART-170 B5 & BE: Photography 1 Page 1 of 3

Local:    
• HUNTS  PHOTO  &  VIDEO,  220  Maine  Mall  Road  (next  to  Petco  and  Gateway),  South  Portland    [773-­‐3393]  
• PHOTO  MARKET,  945  Forest  Avenue,  Portland  (797-­‐7100)  
• ARTIST  &  CRAFTSMAN  SUPPLY,  Woodfords  Corner,  Portland  (772-­‐7272)  
 
Mail  Order:  
• B&H  PHOTO,  420  Ninth  Avenue,  New  York  City  ( 1-­‐800-­‐947-­‐6628  or  www.bhphotovideo.com)  
• CALUMET  PHOTOGRAPHIC,  890  Supreme  Drive,  Bensenville,  IL  (1800-­‐225-­‐8638)    
• FREESTYLE  PHOTOGRAPHIC,  Hollywood,  CA  (www.freestylephoto.biz)  
 
Text    
While  no  text  is  required,  books  will  be  suggested  for  p articular  n eeds  and  interests.  There  will  b e  a  weekly  reading  
assignment  that  comes  from  books  magazines,  and  reviews.  Most  readings  will  b e  handed  out,  or  a vailable  on  line  and  
emailed  to  the  class,  but  a lso  b e  prepared  to  research  and  review  assigned  topics.  If  you  are  looking  to  purchase  a  b ook  
about  Photoshop  specifically  related  to  the  d igital  photography,  I  recommend:  Photoshop  C S4  for  Digital  Photographers  
by  S cott  Kelby.  There  are  many  different  books  d epending  on  the  version  of  Photoshop  you  are  looking  for.  
 
Other  Readings  
In  addition  to  the  assigned  readings,  I  expect  you  to  view  and  review  p eriodicals,  websites  and  exhibition  that  relate  to  
photography  as  part  of  the  fine  arts.  See  the  recourses  section  toward  the  end  of  this  s yllabus.  
 
Grading  
Grades  will  b e  based  on  the  level  of  commitment  to  the  course  AND  the  extent  to  which  finished  assignments  reflect  
genuine  understanding  of  the  course  content.  Effort  will  b e  taken  into  account  but  will  not  b e  considered  equal  to  
tangible  growth  in  both  s kill  and  visual  awareness.  Factors  to  b e  considered  include  a ttendance,  quality  and  q uantity  of  
assigned  projects,  level  of  interest  and  enthusiasm  and  classroom  b ehavior.  
 
Course  grades  are  defined  as  follows:  A,  the  student  h as  mastered  the  material  of  the  course  a nd  has  d emonstrated  
exceptional  critical  s kills  and  originality;  B,  the  student  has  demonstrated  a  thorough  and  above  a verage  understanding  
of  the  material  of  the  course;  C,  the  student  has  d emonstrated  a  thorough  and  satisfactory  understanding  of  the  
material  of  the  course;  D,  the  student  has  d emonstrated  a  marginally  satisfactory  understanding  of  the  basic  material  of  
the  course  (only  a  limited  number  of  D  grades  may  be  counted  towards  the  requirements  for  graduation);  F,  the  student  
has  not  d emonstrated  a  satisfactory  understanding  of  the  basic  material  of  the  course.  
 
While  I  do  not  usually  grade  regular  assignments-­‐  it  is  the  nature  of  our  d iscipline  to  consider  process  over  a  s ingle  result  
–  I  a m  always  glad  to  meet  with  students  to  give  them  a  general  idea  of  their  ongoing  grade  should  they  feel  that  is  
helpful  or  if  I  feel  it  is  n ecessary.  In  addition,  I  would  like  to  meet  with  each  student  individually  on  or  around  midterm  to  
discuss  h is  or  her  progress  and  grade  up  to  that  time.  Each  student  will  be  responsible  for  making  an  appointment  to  s ee  
me  during  the  midterm  p eriod.  
 
Your  grade  will  b e  calculated  on  the  following  parameters:  
Participation     25%  
Mid-­‐Term  Projects   25%  
Final  Project   50%  
 
Participation    
Your  participation  grade  is  made  up  of  three  parts:  Participation,  Preparedness  and  Attendance.  

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Participation:     Playing  an  active  role  in  class  discussions,  exercises  and  critiques  is  essential  to  success  in  this  class.  
The  majority  of  seminars  will  consist  of  in-­‐class  lectures  and  studio  projects  that  occur  under  the  
guidance  of  the  instructor  and  in  tandem  with  your  classmates.  Studio  classes,  group  critiques,  field  
trips  and  lecture  days  are  a ll  equally  essential  toward  meeting  the  learning  objectives  of  the  course.    
Please  practice  civility  when  in  class.  Honor  your  classmates’  opinions  b y  listening  during  discussions  
and  offer  your  own  critique  respectfully.  Making  or  receiving  phone  calls  or  text  message  during  
class  is  rude.  Please  turn  off  your  cell  phones  during  class.  
Preparedness:     It  is  your  responsibility  to  refer  to  the  s yllabus  to  know  what  assignments  and  readings  are  due  and  
what  materials  are  to  b e  brought  to  each  class.  It  is  your  responsibility  to  obtain  the  reading  and  
proper  art  materials  for  the  class.  It  is  expected  that  you  will  arrive  to  class  with  the  completed  
projects  required  for  each  group  critique.  Tardiness,  u npreparedness,  and  nonparticipation  will  
lower  your  participation  grade.    
Attendance  Policy:     You  are  allowed  two  unexcused  absences.  After  two  a bsences  your  final  grade  will  be  automatically  
lowered  by  five  points  for  each  class  missed.  A  student  who  misses  four  or  more  classes  will  b e  
advised  to  drop  the  class.  A  student  who  misses  three  classes  in  a  row  will  b e  automatically  dropped  
from  the  class.  Late  arrivals  and  early  d epartures  may  be  considered  as  absences.  Excused  absences  
may  b e  allowed  if  they  are  requested  and  approved  a t  least  one  week  in  advance.  If  you  miss  a  class,  
it  is  your  responsibility  to  complete  the  assignments.  You  are  expected  to  complete  a ll  exercises  
from  classes  you  missed.    
 
Mid-­‐Term  Projects  
The  Mid-­‐Term  project  is  a  culmination  of  specific  assignments  given  in  class.  These  projects  are  d esigned  to  teach  you  
the  basics  of  photography  and  should  be  taken  s eriously.  Extra  class  and  homework  time  will  be  s et  aside  to  help  you  
plan  and  complete  your  project.  These  projects  will  be  presented  for  critique  at  midterm.    
 
Final  Project  
Your  Final  Project  /  Portfolio  is  the  most  important  element  of  this  class.  It  is  defined  as  a  body  of  related  and  cohesive  
work  that  investigates  a  s elf  d etermined  topic.  In  class  time  will  b e  allotted  to  the  pursuit  of  this  project,  for  it  is  
intended  to  b e  a  deep  investigation  into  both  the  material  of  the  class  and  the  given  topic.  You  are  responsible  for  
making  up  any  missed  class  time  or  out  of  class  demands  of  the  project.  Each  of  your  portfolios  will  b e  assessed  a t  the  
time  they  are  presented  to  the  class  for  critique.  Cohesiveness,  craft,  understanding  of  your  own  work,  composition,  
mastery  of  basic  camera  controls,  and  creativity  will  be  used  to  determine  your  grade.      
 
Problems  and  /or  questions  
Students  are  encouraged  to  s ee  me  to  discuss  any  and  all  problems  concerning  their  work  in  this  course.  Please  do  not  
hesitate  to  contact  me  to  make  an  appointment.  
 
ADA  Statement  
Southern  Maine  Community  College  is  an  equal  opportunity/affirmative  action  institution  and  employer.  For  more  
information,  p lease  call  207-­‐741-­‐5798  
 
If  you  have  a  disabling  condition  and  wish  to  request  a ccommodations  in  order  to  have  reasonable  a ccess  to  the  
programs  and  s ervices  offered  by  SMCC,  you  must  register  with  the  d isability  services  coordinator,  Mark  Krogman,  who  
can  b e  reached  a t  741-­‐5629.  
 
Further  information  about  s ervices  for  s tudents  with  d isabilities  and  the  accommodation  process  is  a vailable  upon  
request  a t  this  number.  

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