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Professor
Nate Larson
nlarson@elgin.edu

Office: 214A VPA
Office Phone: (847) 214-7668

Office Hours:
M/W 8:00 –- 9:00 and 2:45 - 3:45
T/TH 8:30 –- 9:30 and 3:10 - 4:10

If you need to see me at a different time than my office hours, please make an appointment. E-mail is the best way to contact me outside of class but you may also leave a voicemail or note on my office door.

Course Overview
This is an introductory-level college course to the use of the computer and Photoshop as a tool for creating art. After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Digitize film, prints, and objects using flatbed and film scanners
• Manipulate images using Photoshop to collage, montage, distort, scale, splice, and combine photographic images
• Create new images and alter existing images with computer-generated elements in Photoshop
• Explore the conceptual possibilities of this new medium
• Window-mat photographs for classroom critiques
• Articulate sophisticated visual observations, compare and contrast multiple images, and discuss relevant interpretations of examples with supportive photographic and digital vocabulary
• Identify, articulate, and support constructive criticism about your own work and the work of your colleagues

The computer and software is not an end for us, but rather a means which will enable us to express our personal visions. A variety of conceptual approaches and technical skills will be introduced that will challenge you to consider the use of the computer both in executing your own ideas and how it is used by other artists.

Through demonstrations, technical exercises, artist lectures, and group critiques we will practice a variety of ways of thinking about and making digital images. Acquisition of necessary technical skills is expecting during the course of the semester. Emphasis will be placed on your personal vision as well as the ability to explore and critique your own ideas about the use of the computer in art.

There may be times during this semester that you need additional help to fully realize your projects. Please don't hesitate to approach me for individual help.

Course, Meeting Time, and Location
This class will meet Monday and Wednesday from 12 noon - 2:45 pm in the photography computer lab - VPAC 216A. Every class session will meet there first unless otherwise specified

Textbook
The suggested textbook for the course is Photoshop CS2 for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide by Elaine Weinmann. You can purchase this textbook online from Amazon or from the ECC Bookstore. There are also any number of other books on topics covered in class, so you may feel free to refer to any other books that you may encounter.You will additionally receive technical handouts and assigned critical/ theoretical readings throughout the quarter that relate to the projects and ideas that we are discussing in class. These supplemental readings are mandatory, and the ideas in these essays should be discussed in relation to your own work and the work of your classmates. There will be written responses to be submitted based on these essays.

Grading Criteria
There is a total of 550 points possible in the course. Here is the point breakdown:

Grades will be calculated on the traditional scale where an “A” is equal to 90% or above. A “C” is appropriate for “average” work. You will have to go above and beyond the norm to be considered for an “A” or a “B.” Please consider the attached grading standards to help you succeed in the course.

Visual Project Deadlines
Projects are due at the beginning of the scheduled critique or will be considered late. Late projects will be deducted 10 points per class session late. Projects must be submitted in a portfolio container or will not be accepted. All projects may be revised and resubmitted to improve grade.

Extra Credit
You may earn extra credit in the course by visiting museums and galleries that display photography and writing an interpretive response. Each successful response will be worth an extra 10 points (2%) on your final course grade. You may write a maximum of 3 responses. Please see me for the supplemental handout with specific guidelines.

Attendance
Attendance is crucial for success in this class, so please do not miss any classes. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class period. If you are absent more than 3 times, your final letter grade will be deducted 20 points for each unexcused absence. Punctuality is also extremely important, as we will cover a lot of material at the beginning of the class meeting. Three late marks will count as an absence. If you come in late, it is your responsibility to make sure that your attendance is noted or you may be counted absent. Arriving more than 1/2 hour late will be considered an absence. You may be administratively withdrawn from the course if you miss more than 4 consecutive class periods.

If you miss class, it is your responsibility to get notes and handouts from your classmates. You are also responsible for all assignments, regardless of attendance in class. The only acceptable excused absences are extreme family emergencies, established religious holidays, and illness (with a doctor's note). Even for excused absences you will be held responsible for material covered on that day. This attendance policy is not negotiable.

Critiques and Participation
Critiques and participation are extremely important to your success in this class. Critiques are a time for open exchange of ideas and a time to give feedback to the artist as to the success of their project. Critiques also give you an opportunity to critically analyze and interpret technique and design. Missing a critique is equivalent to missing an exam in a non-studio class, but unlike an exam, it is not possible to make it up. Please be sure to be on time and attend all critiques. You must attend and participate in critique even if your own project is not complete.

Academic Misconduct
All work that is submitted, both written and visual, must be your own. Plagiarism will be reported and may result in disciplinary action from the college.  Appropriating images from the media for purpose of meaningful commentary is acceptable.  It is not acceptable to merely “borrow” images; see me if there is any doubt. All work you hand in must be created during this semester for this class.

Students With Disabilities
ECC welcomes students with disabilities and is committed to supporting them as they attend college.  If a student has a disability (visual, aural, speech, emotional/psychiatric, orthopedic, health, or learning), s/he may be entitled to some accommodation, service, or support. While the College will not compromise or waive essential skill requirements in any course or degree, students with disabilities may be supported with accommodations to help meet these requirements.The laws in effect at college level state that a person does not have to reveal a disability, but if support is needed, documentation of the disability must be provided.  If none is provided, the college does not have to make any exceptions to standard procedures.  All students are expected to comply with the Student Code of Conduct and all other college procedures as stated in the current College Catalog. 

PROCEDURE FOR REQUESTING ACCOMMODATIONS:

• Go to SRC108 and sign release to have documentation sent to the college, or bring in documentation.
• Attend an appointment that will be arranged for you with the ADA coordinator or designee.
• If you have questions, call 847-214-7220 ( TTY - 847-214-7392) or e-mail Annabelle Rhoades at arhoades@elgin.edu

Open Lab Hours
The digital lab is open the same hours as the darkroom, M-Th 9 am - 9:30 pm; F 9am -3pm. The only time conflict on the lab is Claire's section, which meets M/W from 7-9:30 pm.

Other Notes and Classroom Policies

• All handouts and other class materials will be posted on this web site. Paper copies will not be distributed. It will be your responsibility to check this web site regularly and download and print materials as needed.
• Our computers are password-protected. Please use the log-in and password for the course to log into the workstations. Please log out when you are done with the computer.
• Food and drink are not permitted near the computers. Period. If you bring them to class, please leave them in the outer classroom area.
• Do not alter the computer configurations. Please do not change backgrounds.All files must be removed at the end of the class period. Use removable media to take them with you. Do not leave files on the computers or they may be deleted. Printing must be under instructor supervision.
• A word of caution: you need to invest lot of time and energy outside of class time to achieve success. Be sure that you can set aside sufficient time to be successful.
• Headphones are not permitted during class time. Part of the class is working and learning in a community and headphones interfere with this sharing process. Music may be played during open lab work time.
• Please turn off cell phones and other communication devices during class time.
• Enthusiasm will always improve your participation grade!

Materials
You will need some high-quality means of capturing images. You may shoot film, process it, and scan it for use in the projects. If you have access to a digital camera, you are more than welcome to use it in the course provided that it has high enough resolution for our needs. We also have 7-megapixel digital cameras available for check-out while you are enrolled in the course. Cameras are loaned on a "first come" basis.

You will also need to purchase at least 25 sheets of digital inkjet paper (for Pigment Inks). It must be either Epson or Ilford brand. If you choose to buy the Epson brand, please buy either the Epson Enhanced Matte paper or the Epson Premium Lustre. Many office supply stores will stock these or they can be purchased at most camera stores. Card N' Camera stocks the Ilford brand - choose between Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl (red box) or Ilford Galerie Smooth Gloss (green box).

You will need to store your digital images on removable media. There are three main options:

1. (STRONGLY RECOMMENDED) Flash Media drives (sometimes called thumb drives) are the best option for you, as they offer the most storage space for the least cost. You will need at least 2.0 gb of storage for the class - get 4.0 gb if you can afford it. There are many choices available from Amazon or your favorite computer store.
2. Apple's iPod will work as a hard drive, so if you have one for your music, you can additionally store your coursework on it. Bring your own cable to connect it.
3. Zip disks are similar to floppy disks, with the benefit of larger storage. They come in either 250 mg or 100 mg sizes. Our drives are 250 drives, but will accept 100 disks. If you only use 250 drives, then you should buy 250 disks. If you have a 100 at home, then plan on buying 100 disks, which will work in your 100 drive and in our 250 drives. You can purchase these at most office supply stores and with the ECC bookstore.
4. CD-R disks can store your digital files, with the drawback of only being able to "write" once to the disk. (I do not recommend CD-RW because they are an inherently less stable media)

You will also need to purchase matboard at the bookstore for mounting/matting your projects.

Questions? Shoot me an e-mail.