88805 Introduction to 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 covers the basic principles of camera functions and digital photography. Students explore the design elements of images, creative and innovative approaches to conceiving photographs, and ways of developing visual awareness. Digital cameras are used to document the world, build a visual archive and communicate observations and ideas.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
| 1. | Demonstrate a capacity to communicate ideas effectively in a variety of ways including oral, written and visual |
|---|---|
| 2. | Demonstrate a capacity to engage in, and contribute to, studio discussion |
| 3. | Demonstrate a capacity to develop innovative approaches |
| 4. | Demonstrate a capacity to initiate and execute meaningful self-directed iterative processes |
| 5. | Demonstrate a capacity to develop technical skills in photography |
| 6. | Demonstrate knowledge of photographic history and theory and to place creative practice within a contextual framework |
| 7. | Demonstrate a capacity to 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:
- Work cooperatively and professionally as part of a team, initiate partnerships with others, take a leadership role when required, and constructively contribute to peer learning. (C.1)
- 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)
- Advance ideas through an exploratory and iterative design process. (I.2)
- Independent development of high level technical and craft skills for the production, presentation and documentation of work. (I.3)
- Demonstrate knowledge of design history and theory and to place creative practice within a historical and theoretical framework. (R.4)
- 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
Semester long subject, delivered through weekly tutorials, studio classes, computer laboratories, group discussion and portfolio presentations.
Content (topics)
- Observation and documentation
- Digital camera functions and basic postproduction skills
- Explorative use of the visual elements of photographs
- Building a portfolio of photographs
- Personal portfolio presentations
- Reflective and analytical writing
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Landscape
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 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.1, C.3, I.1, I.2, I.3 and R.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type: | Project | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 45% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Portraiture
| 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.): C.1, C.3, I.1, I.2, I.3, R.4 and R.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type: | Project | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 55% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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.
References
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
Cotton, Charlotte, The Photograph as Contemporary Art, London: Thames and Hudson 2nd ed. 2009
Diprose, Graham; Robins, Jeff, Photography - The New Basics : Principles, Techniques & Practice, London : Thames & Hudson, 2012
Dyer, Geoff, The Ongoing Moment, New York: Vintage Books, 2007
Edwards, Steve, Photography: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press , 2006
Gronert, Stefan, The Dusseldorf School, London: Thames and Hudson , 2009
Marien, Mary Warner, Photography: A Cultural History, London: Laurence King 3rd ed., 2010