Photography Foundations

 

Photography foundation program is conceived to offer a basic knowledge of basic photography. Students learn how to use a camera and lenses, principles of composition and lighting and develop a critical eye on framing. 

They learn darkroom basics and will be able to develop on their own a b/w film and print photographs in the darkroom. In the second quadrimester they begin digital systems besides the traditional techniques. The program involves the use of Mac system and Apple Aperture to make an archive, to edit it and to do all photographic adjustments on the raw files..

During the course the students will produce some portfolios, both classic and digital..

 

FIRST QUADRIMESTER

 

 

Analysis of Photography technology

 

Introduction to Art History and the History of Photography. What is Photography and how it was born; evolution of photographic technology, from the camera obscura to the photo camera.  What type of camera to buy depending on desired use; films types and formats. Finding systems, from Galilean to direct and SLR; the SLR system; evolution of the lens and evolution of Perspective. Visual perception, field of vision, attention.

Relationships film-digital.

 

Shooting techniques

 

Film formats, stereo and mono vision, focal length, telephoto lenses and wide-angle lenses, perspective and point of view, zoom and aberrations. Hoods and protective filters. How to use a camera properly. The function of the lens; study of light and exposure. Finding the correct exposure without the light-meter. Understanding the lighting without the help of any instrument; stop, speed, aperture, ASA; the Sunny 16 Rule. Complete study on depth of field, motion, and on shooting techniques. Development of specific projects assigned by the teacher.

 

Lab and Darkroom

 

The work in darkroom: complete study of the enlarger, using negatives to produce black and white prints. The film development procedure, the contact sheet, and the final black and white print. Working with Resin-Coated (RC) paper.  Understanding the chemicals and how they work. Standard darkroom procedures. How to use dodging and burning techniques to improve a print. 

 

Lighting

 

Communicating with the lighting. Natural outdoor lighting, seeing the light, choosing an angle, placement of the shadow. Lighting in the landscape and portraiture photography.

 

Composition

 

 

The photographer, the subject, the main focus, point of view, framing, and content. Understanding composition: with the shutter, diaphragm, light, contrast, focusing, lines, form, relief, and rhythm. 

 

 

Critique and style development

 

Use of all techniques acquired to realize portfolios. Critique and style development; mounting the finished print. Realization of two portfolio on the assigned themes of depth of field and motion.

 

SECOND QUADRIMESTER

 

 

Shooting techniques

 

Study on angle of field and telephoto lenses. Use of wide angle lenses. The tripod, landscape photography and panoramic. Theory of colors and electromagnetic spectrum. Use of colors in b/w photography. Contrast filters for b/w photography. Close-up lenses, extension tubes, macro lenses. Soft filters. Controlling perspective with wide-angle lens in the taking phase and in the darkroom with easel tilting.

 

Lab and Darkroom

 

Neutral, warm and cold tone papers. Deepening of dodge and burning techniques. Mastering exposure, contacting and choice of the right contrast. Spot and touch.

Introduction to digital systems 

Introduction to digital systems.  Formats and resolutions.  Similarities and differences between the CCD sensor, CMOS and film. The fundamental functions of the digital camera.  White balance.  Digital sharpness.  The dedicated optics. RAW and JPEG files. 

Mac computers and Apple environment. Large room is dedicated to Apple Aperture application as tool to make an archive, to edit it, and to do image adjustments for post-production of images. 

Scanning of prints and negatives will also be part of the program.

 

Lighting technique

 

How to use a flash; combining artificial light and flash lighting. Portable flash units for shooting on location. Automatic, manual use, as well as TTL and 3D. Using flash fill.

 

Critique and style development

 

Use of all techniques acquired to realize portfolios. Critique and style development; mounting the finished print. Realization of two portfolio on the assigned themes of angle of field and details.

 



Useful informations

Photography Basis (Fall)
Basic course on basic techniques Fall session - 16 weeks from October till January - 1st level

Starting date (day/month/year): 26/10/2009, 08/03/2010

• Time: 16 weeks
• Course rate: Euro 1980

Photography Basis (Spring)
Basic course on basic techniques Spring session - 16 weeks from February till June - 2nd level

Starting date (day/month/year): 08/03/2010

• Time: 16 weeks
• Course rate: Euro 1980

Basic course on basic techniques

• LENGHT: 16 - 32 weeks
• NUMBER OF HOURS: 8 per week, 32 per month + open studio - 128 hours per level
• SCHEDULES: can be chosen between afternoon or evening (schedule for working students)
• MINIMUM ATTENDANCE: one quadrimester - 16 weeks -
•   CLASSES RUN IN ITALIAN AND ENGLISH

The fee for the course includes 24 hours OPEN STUDIO and ALL THE CHEMICALS, provided by TheDarkroom.