2020-21 Spring

Introduction to Photography

(HART 1012)



1 Credit | Can be used to fulfill Common Core Requirement (Core Elective: Arts Area)
Teaching Medium: English
 

Course Description

An introduction to the art and expression of photography through lectures and homework. In this course, students will learn about the history of photography, and the different genres of photography developed over time. This is not a technical-oriented program, but students will learn basic photographic techniques and concepts to prepare them to explore photography on some other occasions. Focus of this program is to facilitate students expressive themselves through photography. Upon the completion of this course, students will have basic photographic techniques and a deep understanding of how photography communicates with its audience, such that they will be in a better position to communicate visually with others.

Remarks

Class schedule

All the classroom lessons in this course last for 2 hours. There are assignments to be completed by the students in order to fulfill the course requirements. And the critique sessions following the assignments are of utmost importance in term of learning. Please refer to the Course Topics below for details.

Camera Requirement

Students need to bring their OWN camera to class, which need not to be a professional one, but it should be equipped with “Aperture priority” in the shooting mode setting (e.g. A mode or Av mode).


  1. Appreciate the history and development of photography
  2. Describe the characteristics of contemporary art photography and appreciate the master works
  3. Understand basic concepts, theories and techniques of photography
  4. Experience using photo as expressive tool to convey the photographer’s feelings and view point upon things happening around them.

Lesson 1: Introduction & History of photography

Lesson 2: Basics Photographic Techniques 1 : Understanding the camera

Lesson 3: Basics Photographic Techniques 2 : Understanding the lens

Lesson 4: Basics Photographic Techniques 3 : Understand the histogram and Exposure Compensation

Lesson 5: Colors and White Balance

Lesson 6: Different Genres of Photography

Lesson 7: Writing on a Photograph

Lesson 8: Basic Techniques in Documentary Photography

Lesson 9: Critiques of Assignment 1

Lesson 10 &11: An Introduction of Contemporary Photography

Lesson 12: Critiques of Assignment 2
Lesson 13: Revision and Conclusion and Suggestion

  1. Barbara London & John Upton, Photography, Prentice Hall, 10th Edition, 2010. (Ch. 1-4, 7, 9-11, 17 & 18)

  1. Charlotte Cotton, The Photograph as Contemporary Art, Thames & Hudson, 2004. (Introduction and Ch. 1)

Enrolment Details

Course Registration : 21-22 Jan 2021
Add/Drop : 01-17 Feb 2021


Instructor

Leon SUEN


Assessment

Attendance 10%
Assignment 1 35%
Assignment 2 55%

Class Schedule

THU
LA1 | 10:30 am – 12:20pm
LA2 | 14:30 pm – 16:20pm

Online Teaching (Zoom)


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