This is a general schedule for the course and may be adapted as we move through the content.
You will be notified of any changes in class and this schedule will be updated accordingly.
Week
1
Monday
This is the introduction to the course. We will discuss the course syllabus
and what you can expect from the course.You must have an active
e-mail account to use for this course. Please e-mail me (nlarson@elgin.edu)
with this survey.
Wednesday
Introduction to the computer lab and basic use of the computer
interface. We will discuss your options for the storage of files, including
removable media (such as Zip100 and CD-Rom). Discussion and demonstration
of the use of the world wide web, searching on the web, downloading from
the web, and use of e-mail. You will download my sample image and .sit
archive to demonstrate your ability to download, store, and decompress
files.
Please download this sample image. Stuffit archives are either self-extracting or require Stuffit to open. Please download and decompress this sample self extracting archive. Please make sure that you can decompress the sample.We are also discussing types and uses of fonts. Click here for the handout.For the next class meeting you will be expected to bring 6 different pieces of printed matter and 6 different small objects to scan. Read the notes for next class meeting for more details.
Week 2
Monday
No Class - MLK Jr. Day
Wednesday
Introduction to ideas of resolution and file size. Photoshop is a raster-based
imaging program. We will discuss what this means and how this is different
from a vector graphics program. Click here for
the handout. Discussion of basic concepts in Photoshop, such as cropping,
creating new canvases, and copying information from one canvas to another.Introduction
to reflective scanning of printed matter and actual objects. Click
for the scanning handout. Note: As you are scanning for the
first project, you will be using the scanning software as shown in class
to correct your images as you scan. Do not yet begin to correct your images
in Photoshop.
Week 3
Monday
Introduction to Digital Cameras and the Canon G6 course cameras.
Demonstration: Transferring images from digital cameras.
Introduction to Project 1: Digital Input
Reading Assigned: Postmodernism and Photoshop.
Wednesday
Lab time - Digital Input
Week 4
Monday
Critique and Discussion of Project 1. (Unmatted Prints only)
In class discussion of "Postmodernism and Photoshop."
Wednesday
Further discussion of working with Photoshop. We'll discuss ideas of color correction and work with your scans. Demonstrations of working with selections, repositioning, adding and subtracting, rotating, scaling, transforming. We'll also dive into layer basics: adding, organizing, hiding, copying, linking merging, flattening, and opacity changes. Discussion of cropping tool. Discussion of use of text tool and how to use text in Photoshop.
Start reading through "The Tools Palette" in the text.
Week 5
Monday
Continuing in Photoshop: digital painting to create original Artwork, working with color pallets, gradients, tool option pallets, painting modes, history pallet, eraser, editing brush shapes, and working with custom brushes. In-class assignment - Use the paintbrush and other tools to "colorize" a B&W image. Bring Color Negative or Color Slide to scan in next class period
Wednesday
Demonstration: Film Scanning Advanced Photo Manipulation
- Re-touching with rubber stamps and healing brush
- Dust & Scratches filter
- Review histograms (Curves & Levels) and using adjustment layers
- The Unsharp Mask Filter
Today's Handout - Color
Correction / Scanning Interface
In-class assignment - retouching and color correction
Week 6
Monday
No Class - President's Day
Wednesday
Using Masks and Channels for advanced selection techniques.
- Quick Mask tool to create selections / saving Quick Masks as channels
- Saving Selections as channels/masks
- Using the Pen tool to create paths/selections
- Layer Masks
In-class assignment - compositing images
Introduction to Project 2: Digital Collage.
Week
7
Monday
Open Lab - Digital Collage
Wednesday
Open Lab - Digital Collage
Week
8
Monday
Open Lab - Digital Collage
Wednesday
Open Lab - Digital Collage
Window Matting Demonstration
Week
9
Monday
Critique and Discussion of Project 2.
Research Presentations Assigned
Introduction to Project 3: Multiple
Identities
Wednesday
Work on research presentations
No Formal Class - Nate out of town for the SPE Conference - Lab open with Katie
Extra credit for road trips to Denver to come to the conference
Week 10
Monday
Research Presentations in Class
Open Lab - Multiple Identities
Wednesday
Open Lab - Multiple Identities
Week 11
Monday
SPRING BREAK
Wednesday
SPRING BREAK
Week 12
Monday
Open Lab - Multiple Identities
Wednesday
Nate out of town - Lab open with Claire available for questions
Use your time to finish - Multiple Identities
Assigned Readings for Monday:
- "In defense of photographer Patrick Schneider and the fictions of a "Code of Ethics"
- The LA Times fires a photographer
- The Adnan Hajj Controversy
- Digital Tampering in the Media, Politics and Law
Week 13
Monday
Critique and Discussion of Project 3: Multiple Identities
Introduction to Project 4: The Digital Moment
Discussion - Ethics of Digital Documentation
Wednesday
Sound Opinions Lecture - 12:15 in ATC Auditorium
Open Lab Time - The Digital Moment
Week 14
Monday
Open Lab Time - The Digital Moment
Wednesday
Michael Barnes Lecture - 12:30 in ATC Auditorium
Open Lab Time - The Digital Moment
Week 15
Monday
Critique and discussion
of Project 3 - the Digital Moment
Discussion of Final Project
Final Project Proposal Assigned
Wednesday
Individual Meetings - Final Projects
Lab Time - Final Projects
Week 16
Monday
Lab Time - Final Projects
Wednesday
Lab Time - Final Projects
Week 17
Monday
Individual In-progress critiques of Final
Projects
Wednesday
Lab Time - Final Projects
Week 18
Monday
Final Critique - Final Project Due.
All project revisions are to be submitted by this time.
Wednesday
Pick-up of projects
Individual meetings
Questions? Shoot me an e-mail.