88011 Darkroom Photography
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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
Subject level: Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksDescription
This subject offers inspirational and hands-on experience in making black and white photographs. Students are introduced to the magic alchemical world of the photographic darkroom. Part science and part art form, darkroom photography provides a unique immersive environment to reconnect with yourself and the world. Students are introduced to the 35 mm manual SLR camera, black and white film processing, dark room printing, film exposure and photographic print enlargement. In the fast-moving 21st century, hand-making photographs offers an alternative way of producing materially evocative images that slows the body and mind down. This elective is suited to students from all disciplines.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
| 1. | Engage in and contribute to studio discussion |
|---|---|
| 2. | Develop innovative approaches to analogue photographic pratice |
| 3. | Demonstrate technical skills in analogue photography |
| 4. | Reflect and engage in self-critique and critical thinking |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Communicate an informed well-researched viewpoint. (C.2)
- Communicate ideas effectively in a variety of ways, including oral, written and visual. (C.3)
- Create designs that respond to their context in formally or conceptually innovative ways. (I.1)
- Independent development of high level technical and craft skills for the production, presentation and documentation of work. (I.3)
- Reflect and engage in self-critique and critical thinking. (R.5)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:
C = communication and groupwork
A = attitudes and values
P = practical and professional
R = research and critique
I = innovation and creativity.
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).
Teaching and learning strategies
A weekly three-hour tutorial/workshop combining theoretical and technical instruction to guide students in producing new photographic work using analogue processes. Each week students will be asked to familiarise themselves with a range of different resources that relate to the topic; these are included in the program descriptions. They will then attend tutorials and workshops and must be prepared to ask questions, raise ideas and apply their understanding of the topic in a collaborative learning environment.
Preparation in advance of workshops is crucial. Workshops will give students the opportunity to work with peers and tutor/mentors, to collaborate on projects directly relevant to the assessment items, and develop photographic skills in a practical context. Studio tutorials will provide students with the opportunity to take ownership of the ideas encountered in preparatory reading and research. Tutor/mentors will help facilitate discussion and offer expert insight and direction where needed, but students are primarily responsible for the collaborative and participatory nature of the tutorial. Students are also responsible for recording feedback from staff and students.
Outside of class time, students are expected to extend the enquiries made in the collaborative learning session with the independent development of their assessment projects. Students are supported in these projects by access to level 2 photo media facilities. Grades, marks and feedback on submitted tasks will be provided through Canvas.
Content (topics)
- Analogue camera functions and analogue printing skills
- Techniques for achieving visual consistencies in a series of images for the purposes of visual communication, relevant to photogaphy and broader industry contexts
- Instruction on building a portfolio of photographs, incorporating subject task outcomes and broader photographic projects
- Interim and final project presentation skills
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Experimental Photography Project
| Intent: | Experimental Photography Project | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4 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.): C.3, I.1, I.3 and R.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Portfolio | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | Students will present a series of black and white prints: - 3 photographic prints 8x10inch | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Photography Print Project
| Intent: | Photography Print Project | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4 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.): C.2, I.1, I.3 and R.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Portfolio | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 60% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | Students will present a cohesive series of black and white prints: - 5 photographic prints 8x10inch | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.
Required texts
Experimental Photography - A Handbook of Techniques, M. Antonini et al eds., Thames & Hudson, 2015
Recommended texts
The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes, Christopher James, Cengage Learning 3rd ed., 2015
References
https://channel.louisiana.dk/search/photography
http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/photography/
http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/p/photography/
http://www.moma.org/explore/collection/departments/photography