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Information for Students in David King's San Diego City College Photo Courses |
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Photo Program Class Specific Data: THE NEW VTC/CTC BUILDING: PIX and SCHEDULE Links to Other Photo Related Sites
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This section of
my web site is primarily for students in
my photo classes at San Diego City College, however any photo student is
welcome. From this page you can download copies of assignments, handouts and
other technical data. Because there is a
growing list of materials, I've arranged the list below into categories based
on my specific classes and then sorted by type of document within those
categories. Some data sheets are quite large complete with photo-illustrations
so please be patient while they download. On the left are links to pages with student data for the Photo Program's other instructors, news about the new building, Photo Program/Club news and events. There are are also quick links to let you jump down to one of my specific class's section without having to scroll through this introduction every time. On the right are my schedules and other data on the classes. I would highly recommend that all students also read the general class rules. These are toward the bottom of this page. Those rules will also be in your course outline handout but since you will be graded on some of this material you need to make sure you have read and understand it. Especially note the section on plagiarism or using work done by someone else. This, as with all forms of cheating, is a zero-tolerance issue. Scroll or link down to the class or section needed, then follow the index list to find the document you want, then click on it. If the item is shown in COLOR it is available to access. If it is in GRAY then it is not yet online or is being revised.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ACCESSING
FILES AND DOCUMENTS LISTED BELOW:
If your computer has the software that can read these files then when you click on the title most browsers will either just open the document or ask you if you want to open or save it and you can review it then save to your own disk if you wish. Some browsers, or on computers which do not have the software, will only ask if you want to download or save the file and you will be prompted to tell it where you want to save it. And others, like Mac OS 10.5 will simply download it as if nothing has happened then you will need to open it in the correct application. To close a document and return, click on the "Back" Button on your browser. If you get a window asking for a User ID or password click on "Cancel" and you will be returned to this page. My Fall 2008 Classroom Teaching Schedule is...
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Here is my class Schedule for the
Fall 2008 Semester
Photo 143-Intro
Digital Photo
220-Portraiture Photo
230-Advertising Photo 265G-Creative
Techniques (See weekly Calendar below center)
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For Spring 2009 my schedule will be...
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| Return to Top | PHOTO 143: Introduction to Digital Photography | |||||||||||||||
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Photo 143 is our program's entree point
into the world of Digital Photography. It covers basic materials
such as digital jargon and glossary, explains how digital cameras work and
the best ways to achieve the maximum quality image.
Primarily a photo "capture" class it also get into the basics of color management, digital printing and display, and, of course, into photo editing. The tool we will use in our classes is Photoshop since that is the industry standard. If you use something else you will have to be able to translate functionality from class material to your own software. NOTE: As a California Community College
student you can order Photoshop and other software at very good discounts
from: |
PLEASE NOTE: Other Sections
of this course are taught by different Instructors who will have their own
approach, assignments, and materials. The material below was created
specifically for my own classes though in some cases it may overlap and be of some value
or interest to other sections as well.
Course
Syllabus/Outline
Powerpoint
Presentation 1: Course intro, overview
Datasheet:
How to Turn in your
Digital Project
Website: Depth
of Field Calculator
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Outline and Class Assignments are all in MS Word format. NOTE: Unless
otherwise noted
You will need PowerPoint on your computer in
order to run and view these presentations. These are not self running. When they open use a mouse
click or the Enter Key to advance each element. |
To take
this course you will need a digital camera! You will get more from it
if you have a camera on which YOU can set everything manually. But you
will still learn to gain a greater control of the digital photographs you take even
if you only have a
simple point and shoot camera. We will discuss options in the first
class.
Text Books
for For students
new to BOTH photography and Digital: For students with a film background but
new to digital: |
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| Photo 180 and Photo 181: Digital Imaging | ||||||||||||||||
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Photo 180/181 is a follow-on to Photo 143 Intro to Digital Photography and will cover techniques and processes involved in editing and retouching photographs.
(Continued on Right Column) |
NOTE: I am not teaching this course for Fall
2008. However I'm leaving the assignments and handouts online for your
review and additional data. Photo 180
Project 1: Layers - Retouch -
Portrait Photo 181
Project 1: Layers - Retouch -
Fashion DATASHEETS:
Datasheet: Digital Work Flow Diagram (PDF) |
For the projects there are two versions, one for the 180 class beginners and a variation for the 181 class students with more experience. |
(Continued from Left Column)
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| Return to Top | PHOTO 200: Lighting Techniques | |||||||||||||||
| This course is being taught by Professor Dave Eichinger for Fall 2008. Click here to go to his page. |
NOTE: I am not teaching this course for Fall
2008. I will be teaching it again for Spring 2009. However I'm leaving my handouts online for your review and
additional data. Course Syllabus/Outline
Assignment 1:
Lighting ratios and percentages
Datasheet: Lighting Terms and Glossary
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Class Outline / Class
Assignments are all MS Word format. MS Word MS Word MS Word with illustrations MS Word with lots of illustrations
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If you have taken this course from me, I strongly encourage you to also take it from
Prof Eichinger, Prof Vella and any others who might teach it for their
unique perspective on the subject. Lighting is crucial to successful
commercial work but it is also very personal in style. The more
different approaches to it you can try, the better able you will be to
develop your own unique style. You can do it as an Independent Study. |
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| Return to Top | PHOTO 220: Portraiture | |||||||||||||||
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Go to Links Page and in the Photographers' section (the top section) view the work of Andrezj Dragan, Geraldo Pace, and Dee Jones |
Class Outline/Syllabus
Project: PR / Head
Shot Written Project: Portrait Photographer
Datasheet: Studio Rules and Safety Procedures Map: San Diego to Borrego Springs Meeting Spot (PDF)
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| Photo 230: Advertising Photography | ||||||||||||||||
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Class Outline.Syllabus
Project: Small Product - Studio Final Project: Portfolio
Datasheet: Lighting Terms and Glossary Map: San Diego to Borrego Springs Meeting Spot (PDF)
RESULTS OF DEMOS SHOT IN
MY CLASS CAN BE ACCESSED BY CLICKING HERE. |
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| Return to Top | PHOTO 240: Large Format Photography | |||||||||||||||
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(This course is not being taught by me in
Fall
2008)
Datasheet: View Camera Operations |
Lesson Plan on
View Camera Ops |
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| Return to Top | PHOTO 245: Nature and Landscape Photography (SPRING ONLY) | |||||||||||||||
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For Spring Semester 2009,
the Landscape Class field trips will be to: Typical Field Trips: µ
3 Day
(Fri-Sun): Owens Valley and
Alabama Hills. Date: TBA µ 4 Day (Thur-Sun): IF YOU PLAN ON TAKING THIS CLASS PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO GO TO YOSEMITE OR DEATH VALLEY ASAP! NOTE: Students will be responsible for their own lodging, food, and transportation on the field trips however ride and room sharing can significantly reduce costs.
FIELD
TRIP DATA |
(NOTE: This course is only offered in
the Spring Semester)
Field Trip Detailed Info Page (See for More Data)
Itinerary for 3-Day Field Trip
Assignment 1: Grand Landscape Spreadsheet: Budgeting for a photo field trip
Web Sites for Weather
Forecasts:
Datasheet: Simple Calibration for Film Cameras Zone System Exposure/Development Tutorial (HTML) |
MS Word HTML Page on this site MS Word Excel Spreadsheet These are links to web pages. To Be safe in planning a trip, check all three sites then believe what they forecast in common.
MS Word Doc Web Pg Opens in new window |
PLEASE NOTE: This class concerns itself with taking photographs of natural subjects. It not only concerns the photographic aspects it also deals with the logistics of a photo shoot to a distant location. To accomplish that we will be taking at least TWO field trips during the class. One will be a 3-day (Fri-Sun) and the other a 4-day (Thur-Sun). Though not mandatory for a grade, projects will be given and photo discussions will be conducted during the trips. If you want to get the most from the class you will plan on taking part in these trips. Early in the class start making friends with whom you might like to share rides or camp/lodging to reduce expenses. If you want to take this class, please let me know during the preceding Fall semester so I can contact you about the upcoming trips. |
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| Return to Top | PHOTO 265G: Creative Techniques (Digital) | |||||||||||||||
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For Fall Semester 2008 my
section of the 265G class will be primarily about Digital techniques to
enhance and modify your photographs. We will also discuss, as time
permits, Digital Printing and Color
Management.
This semester this class is being run for 8 weeks only. That means we will be cramming a lot of material into a fairly short course and turn-around for assignments will also be shorter.
...Cont. on Right Side |
Course
Syllabus/Outline: Photoshop Techniques Course Syllabus/Outline: Digital Printing Techniques
Assignment 1:
Datasheet: Color Management & Workflow |
Outline, Class
Assignments and datasheets are all in MS Word format. Some are large
files with illustrations so be patient as they download. Large file. (Revision Apr 2008) |
...Continued from left. I will assume a basic knowledge of Photoshop editing steps and workflow issues however we will review these issues early in the course. To produce the work I will expect you to use your own photographs (though they need not have been taken specifically for this class). This is predominantly a lecture/demo class so you will need to have access to your own computer and/or take the Directed Lab studies when the computer lab is available. |
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| Return to Top | Other Handouts and Technical Data | |||||||||||||||
| These datasheets contain information that is applicable to several classes or just to photography in general. Most are about processes and technical skills |
Datasheet: Basic Daylight
Exposures Datasheet: Lens Testing and Resolution Datasheet: 'It's All About the Glass' Datasheet: Zone System Zone definitions Datasheet: Cleaning your DSLR's Sensor Zone System Exposure/Development Tutorial (HTML) Datasheet: Printing with Our Photo Lab Printers Datasheet: Updated Paper and Profile list Datasheet: Inkjet black versus Silver Black Datasheet: Film and Digital Quantitative Comparisons Datasheet: Using Flash and Flash Fill (Large File) Datasheet: Macro and Close-Up Photography Spreadsheet: Comm'l Photo Project Budget Template Datasheet: Exposure meters and Histograms (PDF) Datasheet: Lib of Congress on Archival storage (PDF) Datasheet: Delkin on CD Longevity issues (PDF) Article: Archival Processing Data from real time tests Article: Archival mounting/storage issues Datasheet: Large Format Lens Comparisons Datasheet: Simple Bellows Factor Calculations (PDF) Datasheet: Bellow Factor calculation disk (PDF) Datasheet: View Camera Operations (PDF) Datasheet: How to make a DSLR View Camera |
MS Word |
For links to photo related web sites, jump to the "Links" page. | |||||||||||||
| Return to Top | Misc Stuff That Doesn't Fit Anywhere Else: articles, essays, etc. | |||||||||||||||
| These data sheets, articles, etc. are less technical but still have some important information for photographers |
What it
takes to be GREAT (at anything)! The Myth of Multitasking (PDF) Donna's Tips for competition prints Zen and the Art of Photography Proper testing for great darkroom prints Some Myths about Photography The Changing world of Stock Photography The Internet and Copyright Law Defamation and Privacy issues for Photographers Government Data on Copyright Global Evolution of Intellectual Property Rights Confusion on Pay for Digital Work (PDF from PDN Mag)
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MS Word | ||||||||||||||
| Return to Top | Some General Class Rules and School/Program/Department Class Policies | |||||||||||||||
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These rules
and policies are
also contained in the printed syllabus or course outline you will receive at
the start of class. Those printed versions will also contain
guide-lines, data, and rules that are specific to that class. If you did not receive a copy of the outline in class, or if you misplaced it, you can download one in the appropriate section for your class above. |
Attendance | You are expected to be in class
during class periods, especially during lecture classes. I may,
depending on the specific class and equipment availability, allow you to use
certain class times to help complete assignments outside of the classroom, but you
must first get my permission, let me know where you will be working,
and how that will be furthering the assignment's completion*. At grading time I will count attendance and class participation as the equivalent of a project (about 1/7 to 1/10th of your grade depending on how many projects we are able to complete), so it can help or hurt you. Also take note that after the 3rd unexcused absence I am encouraged by the administration to drop you from the roster. However I probably will not do so therefore if you are actually wanting to drop the class YOU need to let admissions know. See the section below on Dropping for more data. NOTE: I will take notice of your job-related issues and work with you to resolve them. I also know emergencies sometimes happen for work or family emergencies and will try to help you work around those for class needs. But emergencies are exceptions; you signed up for a college class knowing the dates and times involved. Plan your vacations during the breaks not during the normal class periods. We move quickly so it can be very difficult to make things up. You have a right to expect me to take this subject and the material seriously and give my best effort in the class from the instructional side of it. I have a right to expect the same from you from the learning side of it. What's fair is fair... |
*Please Note however, if you take advantage of that freedom and decide to work outside of the classroom for lab days, there will be no time-related excuses for assignments not turned in on time because I will assume you are doing so because you can work so much better and faster on your own equipment.. | |||||||||||||
| Lecture & Lab Classes | Most of our photo courses are
divided into Lecture and Lab classes that meet twice a week. "Lecture"
is the time the instructor is passing on information to you. "Lab"
includes demonstrations, field trips, interactive activities, and, of
course, the time for you to be working on your projects on class time.
The lab classes are an important part of your educational experience at City College. In addition to those other activities listed above, Lab classes provide you with time to work on the completion of your assignments and to use the equipment with the help and supervision of an instructor. Because we have to work around the issue of having a single darkroom (until the new building is completed) your lab day may be scheduled as either the first or second meeting of the week. Because the first week of class will likely be all lecture anyway, your instructor will let you know what the lecture/lab breakdown is for a specific class. Generally the semester may start out being lecture-heavy, then it will even out, and finally, towards the end of the semester, it will be lab heavy. Overall, you will be provided with a lot of lab time, actually more than the lecture time. But the breakdown may change over the semester. At the start of a semester, for example, in order to provide foundational material, you may have a lot more (or even exclusively) lecture than lab time up until you are doing projects and need the time. As the semester progresses that will even out to where we will have one day for lecture and the other for lab. By the end of the semester you will likely have much more lab than lecture time and as finals approach you may have ALL lab time to prepare final projects/portfolios. Lab Time for Studio Classes. During lab time in the studio it is obvious there are only two shooting stations. That means not everyone can be doing their assignments during those times and will need to sign up for studio time. But that does not mean the lab classes are to be missed. I will be there to help and answer questions and you should be there to assist each other or at least to watch and learn. Directed Lab Studies. We offer a lab only class: Photo 102. This gives you time to work in the lab outside of class periods but with an instructor present to help you as needed. It also can give you a credit but at the end of the class you will have to turn in 4 finished prints. Your instructor can provide you with more information. |
NOTE: If you want more darkroom time outside of class you need to sign up for Photo 102! |
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| Dropping | This is San Diego City College not
San Diego City Kindergarten. As college students you are expected to
take responsibility for your own behavior and actions. If you decide
to drop YOU must alert admissions that you have done so. If you do
not, at the end of the semester I must enter a grade for every name still on
my roster. If your name is still on the roster but in my grade sheet
there are missing project grades, the odds are
good your final grade will not be a good one. |
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| Tardiness | Being habitually tardy and walking
into a class while it is in session is disruptive, rude, and inconsiderate.
I will count three tardies as an absence in terms of grading. I
understand there are times when it is unavoidable. An increasing
number of our students are coming from North County and traffic can be a
nightmare as is parking; sometimes it just happens and that is unavoidable.
But after you have determined how long it ought to take to get here try to
assimilate that educational experience and be on time. Three tardies counts as one unexcused absence according to school policy. |
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| Grading | Please understand clearly,
grades are not an entitlement; they are something you earn. If you
come into a class needing a specific grade for whatever reason, getting it
will easy and straightforward -- work hard and earn it. I do not
believe in what used to be called "motivational grading" that held the
foolish notion that giving students good grades regardless of work product
made them feel better about themselves and want to achieve more. In
practice it diminished the value and credibility of the whole system and
made them not motivated but lazy since they did not have to work for them.
And I noticed too that when you know you are being given something for
nothing it does not make you feel better about yourself.
To help you feel better about yourself I need to help you GET better at what you do. In my opinion that approach had the cart before the horse. I take grades seriously and so should you. This is your entree into the world of colleges and universities and may be far different from what you were used to. In basic level classes I will grade you on effort and progress individually, not against each other. I do not "grade on the curve" because I believe that results in arbitrarily phony grades. In the advanced or vocational classes I will grade your work on appropriate but more objective standards. Below is how I will grade different types of work. Please note the "meaning" of the grades noted below. PHOTO & WRITTEN PROJECTS: You will be given a letter grade for each project turned in from A-F. An "A" (given for EXCELLENT work as good as your skill/class level could expect) is worth 4 pts, A "B" (given for SUPERIOR work but with some issues) is worth 3 pts, and A "C" (given for AVERAGE work) is worth 2 pts. If you simply do what was requested you will most certainly at least get a "C." However "A" and "B" means you took things a bit beyond the basic requirement. I give half grades (i.e. B+) for project work but can only enter full grade letters in the computer for your final grade.. You will have approximately 7-8 photo projects per semester so missing a project can have a major effect on your grade, easily a whole letter grade. But remember, if you come to class already possessing more skills than most, I will expect to see you progress FROM THERE and will not grade positively for sleepwalking through the class. If you want more advanced assignments to keep up your interest, let me know. TESTS : Tests will be awarded a grade based on the actual points scored compared to the possible points. 90 to 100 percent will get an "A", 80 to 89 percent will get a "B", and so on. FINALS: Depending on the class I may give a final project such as a portfolio or a final exam... or both. A "final" project or exam is critical for your course grade and carries the grade weight of several normal projects or exams. If you do not tale the final or produce the final project it will be very difficult for you to get better than a "C" no matter how perfect your score has been on other projects or exams. At the end of the semester the projects, tests, and attendance points will be averaged for the final course grade. The school does not allow half grades so I will round your score to the nearest whole grade. |
NOTE: You will not get a good grade from me just because you "need" it. Getting a good grade from me is easy however: earn it with good work, real effort and passion for your work. I have no trouble giving the whole class an "A" if they all have worked for it. I also have no trouble giving the whole class something less if that reflects their level of effort. |
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| Project Deadlines | In the real world of photography
deadlines are sacred. Miss a deadline and your work will dry up very
quickly. That is a habit to start developing here so deadlines for
projects are taken very seriously. You will normally have about two
weeks per assignment which is about a week and six days more than you might
have for a real assignment. If some emergency happens as they do
sometimes, let me know in advance and we can work it out. But if I
don't hear of a problem till the work is already late then it will have an
impact on your grade. I will, of course accept calls from the nurse at
your bedside or your mortician as a legitimate excuse. |
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| Project Submissions | In my classes each project will be
accompanied by a written handout describing what is required and also how it
is to be turned in for grading. That handout is part of the project
package and I will write your grade on it and give it back. If you do
not turn in a project in the manner I have specified then I will return it
to you ungraded so you can correct it. I will not try to remove tape
or staples or unseal envelopes or pry your work stuffed tightly into them.
If it is not as requested then it doesn't exist for grading purposes. Note that in the digital classes there is a special handout on how you are to turn in your projects. You can download it from here or above in the Photo 143 class section. |
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| Plagiarism | In the Photography program we take
this topic very, very seriously and so does the school. THE PENALTY FOR CHEATING IS SEVERE: ANY form of misrepresentation, lying, plagiarism, copying others‘ work, claiming work that is not entirely your own as your own without crediting others, use of any unauthorized aids during an examination- including other students’ work, dishonesty on ANY assignment will result at minimum in an ”F” in the class and can lead to a hearing before the College's Dean of Students. Additionally, disciplinary probation, which remains on your record for five years, or suspension from the class, the program or even the College may result. Cheating or using the work of others is a conscious choice on your part. But there are NO acceptable excuses for choosing to compromise your integrity by cheating. None. Drop this class if you feel you may not be able to resist the temptation
to cheat. In our photo program, using the work of someone else is
viewed exactly the same way. Your instructor will have no choice but to
follow the school and program policy mandated for such activities. |
Every class in the Photography program expects you to produce and submit your OWN WORK for every photo assignment. The only exception would be a written assignment asking you to bring in copies of someone's work to show examples of THAT PERSON'S WORK and never as your own. | ||||||||||||||
| Cell Phones | Unless you are a doctor on call or
a parent with a sick child at home (in which case let me know at the start
of class) turn the blasted thing OFF or onto silent Ring. And do not
be talking on the phone in class. If that discussion is more important
than the class then go outside but don't disrupt those who are here to
listen to the material. |
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| Inappropriate Language in Class and Disruptive behavior | This is about the use of foul and
offensive language. Swearing in my classroom will NOT be tolerated.
This is a ZERO tolerance policy. Do it once and you are out for the
day. Do it twice and I will drop you from the class. Period... end of
story. I will not tolerate disruption of the class. The school has made instructor authority very clear in this regard. If an instructor believes you are interfering with the educational mission of the class, we will first ask you to cease your behavior. If you do not do so immediately we are to have security escort you from the area. We do not have to ask a second time. |
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| Computer Use in Class | Turning on a computer and working
on it, or worse yet, playing on it, while I am trying to lecture is rude,
discourteous, and disconcerting and will not be tolerated.
The
computers in the computer lab are for working on projects during time
specified for that activity as "lab" time. I will give you
plenty of lab time. But I will mercilessly and without warning unplug
you in mid stroke or lock your computer from the instructor station if I find your nose stuck to the monitor or keyboard while I am
trying to present material. |
REPEAT!!!! Do NOT be working or playing on the computer when I am trying to lecture or talk in class. it is one of the only actions for which I will call you out in front of the class. |
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| Photo Project Assignments | Some of my courses are for entry
level topics and others are for advanced, vocational topics. All of
them will require you to produce finished photographic prints based on a
written handout sheet and asking you to practice the topics we will be
covering in the lectures. With each assignment you will be given a handout specifying what you are to do and, especially for lower level courses, how you are to do it; I may be far less specific for advanced level classes and assignments. This handout is to be turned in with the project. The grade will be written on it and returned to you for your records. (If you lose it I will post the assignments here in the class sections for you to download.) For beginning level classes, where there is a great mix of incoming experience and skills I will not be grading you in comparison to each other, only to yourself. I will be looking for effort and growth. In the advanced vocational courses I will give you "real world" types of assignments in the same manner as you would get them from an art director or photo editor and expect you to perform accordingly.* Ask any and all questions you can think of about the assignments as they are given and before they are due. The only question I will not answer for you is which of several options you should turn in. I may discuss pros and cons of those options, but part of the process is for you to start learning to edit your own work. |
* The world of professional photography is one that demands not only technical excellence but also that the photographer be able to think on their feet, select the right tools and techniques from their "toolkit" and be highly motivated, self-starting, creative people. Therefore in the advanced classes after being shown what the tools do and how they effect the image, you will be expected to be able to select the right ones to best tell your own story. | ||||||||||||||
| Problems with the Instructor | It's the real world.
Sometimes problems arise. Personality conflicts just happen, or you
think the instructor has done something inappropriate or even offensive to
you, all of these and a myriad of other issues can arise. But if they do,
and you have a complaint, a proper
chain of events is in place to deal with it. First, you need to talk to the instructor. I know this might seem intimidating but it should not be. You may as well learn now to deal with such things as it will not go away in the business world. I promise you, no instructor would hold this against you or reflect it negatively in your grades: for them the consequences of this are too dire. In addition, they are the ones involved and deserve to have a chance to either redress the problem or explain to you why they do what they are doing. If, for some reason, interaction does NOT resolve the problem for you then you are free to escalate your issues up the chain. Next stop would be the Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair and then the Arts and Humanities School Dean. But if you have not made a good faith effort to resolve this with the instructor your case will be considerably weakened. |
NOTE: Photography is a creative endeavor. in which a matter of style will soon arise. So is the teaching of it. Photo instructors therefore vary to quite a degree as to their teaching style. WE all must cover the same material for a given class topic but how we get there may vary somewhat. You will quickly learn who teaches how and be able to select based on your own needs. But in the end, you will progress farther by taking as many different instructors as possible. |
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Other Rules | Other rules specific to the class
will be contained in the course outline given to you at the beginning of the
semester and available online above for downloading should you lose it. |
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Fall 2008 Calendar Classes Start August 25th and end December 17th
Violet = Class Day,
RED and YELLOW = District/School
Holiday,
End of Page
