Course Syllabus

ART 2350.001 Digital Photography and Design

Mondays 4-6:45pm

Marcy Palmer
mxp070100@utdallas.edu
Office hours by appointment – please make an appointment at least one week in advance

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions

Suggested Prerequisites: Command of general computer file management skills for a Mac or PC
operating system is expected.

Course Description

This studio art course provides instruction in digital photography, including camera operation,
image capture, lighting techniques, and digital workflow. Emphasis will be placed on the study of
design elements and principles as they relate to the generation of photographic images. The class
will also discuss the relationship between photography and issues in contemporary art.
Examination of the functions of light and color, crucial elements in the context of image capture,
will be central to the course.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

Students will interpret photographic concepts and apply photographic methods to create artworks,
with an emphasis on design elements and principles.
Students will assess and evaluate the creative work of their peers through both written and verbal
critique.
Students will discuss and write about both historical and contemporary examples of visual art.
Students will choose ideas and approaches and develop a proposal for an individual photography
portfolio, which they will create.

Required Materials
Digital SLR camera (preferably that writes RAW files)
Memory cards for camera
Card reader for computer
CD ROMS or USB device for saving files

Suggested Course Materials

Tripod
Removable flash that fits in the hotshoe of your camera

Course Syllabus Page 1

Students can obtain Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Creative Suite (version CS5)--see UTD
technology store for UT discount--OR Adobe Lightroom 3.0 for use on their home computer.

Required Reading and homework

To be posted on class website via UTD’s eLearning or distributed during class.

Assignments & Academic Calendar

WEEK 1 Jan.10
Introductions and overview of the course
Line in Composition
Photo Basics/ Camera Operation
WEEK 2 Jan.17
MLK Day – no classes
WEEK 3 Jan.24
Shape/Volume/Plane
Camera Operation
Digital Workflow/resolution/file format
In class assignment – shape/volume/plane
WEEK 4 Jan.31
Color Theory/Meaning/Mood
Color Management and color correction in Photoshop
Photoshop tools
Exposure and Depth of Field
WEEK 5 Feb.7
Space/Time/Motion in Photography
Review of Digital Workflow
Exposure and Shutter Speed
WEEK 6 Feb.14
Size contrast/Repetition/Pattern
Midterm Review
WEEK 7 Feb.21
Midterm Exam
Project 1 due
WEEK 8 Feb.28
Form and Space
Contemporary Art Theory
WEEK 9 Mar.7
Lighting kit introduction
Introduce Final Project
WEEK 10 Mar.14
Spring break – no classes
WEEK 11 Mar. 21
Narrative in Photography
Final Project Development
WEEK 12 Mar. 28
Final Project Development
WEEK 13 Apr. 4
Final Project Development

Course Syllabus Page 2

WEEK 14 Apr. 11
Final Project Development
WEEK 15 Apr. 18
Final Project Development
WEEK 16 Apr. 25
Final Critique
WEEK 17 May 2
Final Grades

Grading Policy
Grades are earned, not given
Class assignments 40%
Project 20%
Exam 10%
Oral Presentation 5%
Final Project 25%

Grading Scale
A+ 97-100
A 94-96
A- 90-93
B+ 87-89
B 84-86
B- 80-83
C+ 77-79
C 74-76
C- 70-73
D+ 67-69
D 64-66
D- 60-63
F 0-59

Grades in the A range are exceptional, B range are above average, C range are average, D range
are below average, and F is failure.

Course & Instructor Policies

Late Work – Class assignments due each week are not accepted late. A project that is late drops
one letter grade for each class date late.

Class attendance is crucial to learning. Any student who misses more than 3 class meetings will
fail the class. Being on time to class is extremely important, if a student is late to class 3 times
and/or leaves early 3 times, that equals one absence. If a student misses more than 30 minutes of
the class by being late or leaving early, he/she is marked absent. Please be on time and ready to
work.

Unless specifically permitted, no laptop or other electronic device use during class. Active
participation in class discussions is expected.

Course Syllabus Page 3

Technical Support

If you experience any problems with your UTD account you may send an email to:
assist@utdallas.edu or call the UTD Computer Helpdesk at 972-883-2911.

University Policy
Please review the university’s policies and procedures at
http://provost.utdallas.edu/home/syllabus-policies

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.

Course Syllabus Page 4