80082 Photography and the Object
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Description
This subject covers the basic principles of still life photography. Students explore the fundamentals of digital photography, available and artificial studio lighting, and creative and innovative approaches to conceiving photographs. The objects photographed are those that already exist and those that are created to make a photograph.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
| 1. | Develop the ability to maintain a consistent and reflective practice |
|---|---|
| 2. | Present processes and outcomes effectively in a variety of ways including oral, written and visual |
| 3. | Develop the ability to engage in, and contribute to, studio discussion |
| 4. | Develop inventive and explorative approaches to photography |
| 5. | Demonstrate appropriate levels of skills in crafting fabricated objects |
| 6. | Demonstrate appropriate levels of technical skill in photography |
| 7. | Develop the ability to respond to projects through research |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Ability to constructively engage with subject learning activities (A.3)
- Ability to communicate ideas effectively in a variety of ways, including oral, written and visual (C.2)
- Ability to engage in and contribute to studio discussion (C.3)
- Ability to develop innovative approaches (I.1)
- Ability to recognise and engage in a diverse range of technical and practical contexts (P.1)
- Ability to develop technical skills in photography and situated media (P.3)
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of photographic history and theory and to place creative practice within a contextual framework (R.4)
Teaching and learning strategies
Semester-long subject, delivered through weekly tutorials, studio classes, computer laboratories, group discussion and portfolio presentations.
Content (topics)
- Observation, documentation and fabrication skills
- Digital camera functions and basic postproduction skills
- Studio lighting skills
- Printing photographs
- Building a portfolio of photographs
- Personal portfolio presentations
Assessment
Assessment task 1: The Documented Object
| Intent: | In this task you will photograph different types of one object that already exists in the world. You will research the work of established historical and contemporary object photographers. You will initiate and investigate your own comparative object photography project through a series of given exercises. After receiving feedback from your tutor and peers, you will identify one type of object to photograph. You will develop and refine your project, and photograph at least six different examples of that one object. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): A.3, C.2, C.3, I.1, P.3 and R.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Project | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 45% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: The Fabricated Object
| Intent: | In this task you will create objects to be photographed. You will research the work of established historical and contemporary object makers and photographers. You will initiate and investigate your own photography project through a series of given exercises. After receiving feedback from your tutor and peers, you will develop and refine your project and photograph at least six different fabricated objects. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): A.3, C.2, C.3, I.1, P.1, P.3 and R.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Project | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 55% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Recommended texts
Badger, Gerry, The Genius of Photography: How Photography Changed Our Lives, London: Quadrille, 2014?
Bate, David, Photography: The Key Concepts, Oxford & New York: Berg, 2009?
Childs, John, Photographic Lighting: Essential Skills, Boston & London : Focal Press, 2008?
Cotton, Charlotte, Photography is Magic, New York : Aperture, 2015
Diprose, Graham; Robins, Jeff, Photography - The New Basics : Principles, Techniques & Practice, London : Thames & Hudson, 2012?
Edwards, Steve, Photography: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press , 2006?
Eskildsen, Ute (ed), Street & Studio : An Urban History of Photography, London : Tate Publishing, 2008?
Hunter, Fil; Biver, Steven; Fuqua, Paul, Light, Science & Magic : An Introduction to Photographic Lighting, Walthan, MA : Focal Press/Elsevier, 2012.
Marien, Mary Warner, Photography: A Cultural History, London: Laurence King 3rd ed., 2010