Degree Courses: Photography Print

FA280 Principles of Photography
As an introduction to photography, this course covers principles basic to all forms of photography, with an emphasis on black and white photography and using the 4x5 view camera. Projects encompass camera handling, film exposure and development, darkroom procedures, print finishing, and evaluation. Students investigate depth of field, motion, burning, dodging, spotting, and print presentation.
Principles of Photography is a course in which the beginning student further enhances observational skills. It is offered as a first and second semester course to students who intend to major in photography. This is the first course in the Photography curriculum. It introduces principles basic to film and digitally based photography. Projects encompass camera handling, film exposure and development, darkroom procedures, print finishing, and evaluation. Students investigate depth of field, motion, burning, dodging, spotting, print presentation. Integral to the print evaluation process is an exchange of ideas concerning photographic seeing and aesthetic issues. Individual instruction facilitates technical comprehension and aesthetic growth with emphasis placed on selectivity of vision and formal photographic elements. Although individual instruction is a critical element of the learning process, the most critical element is each student's commitment to learning how to learn. Therefore guided self-discovery is the primary approach to instruction.
Credits: 3.0
Prerequisites: None

FA281 Elements of Digital Photography
Elements of Digital Photography is a computer-based class for photographers. Beginning with the basics of image acquisition, manipulation and output, the course will progress to an in-depth exploration of image manipulation software and the aesthetics specific to electronic photographs. The course provides essential skills for those anticipating a career in photography. Elements of Digital Photography, introduces students to contemporary photographic imagery. One hour of lecture covering contemporary photography and photographers is required. At the same time it provides an opportunity to use the computer as a fine art tool. Consequently, individual creative pursuits are emphasized.
Credits: 3.0
Prerequisites: FA280 or concurrent enrollment with FA280

FA290 Lighting
This introductory course will provide an overview of essential principals, techniques, and tools for lighting a variety of situations. Demonstrations will take place both in the studio and on location. Through demonstration, hands-on practice and assignments, students will learn how to use lighting equipment and accessories and a range of light sources including tungsten, studio strobe, portable strobe, and daylight. Through slide presentations and discussions of printed matter, students will review examples of the direction and quality of light and discuss its function in the photograph. At the end of this course, students will have a repertoire of lighting techniques to heighten the expressive capacity of their work.
Credits: 3.0
Prerequisites: FA280

FA291 Printing Processes
In this course students gain an appreciation for photography’s expressive possibilities so that they may use photography experimentally and creatively. Conventional black and white printing skills will be reinforced and piezographic (digital black and white) printing will be introduced and developed to the highest standard.
Credits: 3.0
Prerequisites: FA280, 281

FA292 Historic Perspecitves
In this studio course students gain an appreciation for photography’s rich and varied history. Through reading, writing, and image making, students will demonstrate an understanding of photography’s origins and traditional processes.
Credits: 3.0
Prerequisites: FA280 or FA281

FA382 Professional Practices
This course is an intensive introduction to the practice of photography as a profession. The course will examine the steps required to work as a professional photographer regardless of discipline. Professional Practices will look at what it takes to become a productive employee whether on location or in the studio or in a post production capacity as well as the issues involved in being self employed. The courses overriding goal is to provide a familiarity with the options available to students in their post graduation world. The class will address personal work versus professional work and will require practicing the communication skills needed to work successfully as a professional.
Credits: 3.0
Prerequisites: FA291

FA390 Photographic Problems
This course investigates aesthetic and technical photographic issues. Themes of complex image-making, still-life and portraits are considered, along with requisite technical issues. Students also explore historical and contemporary aesthetic issues. They will produce photographs that demonstrate artistic intent.
Credits: 3.0
Prerequisites: FA291

FA391 Photographic Voice
The photographic voice is a course that examines the core issues involved in developing personal photographic vision. This course looks at how and why we are different from one another and how that translates into the medium of photography. Specifically this course will explore the impact of subject, format, process and presentation in developing personal vision. The value of traditional and non-traditional forms of presentation and contemporary approaches to image making through other mediums will be examined as part of the development of the individual photographic voice.
Credits: 3.0
Prerequisites: FA280, FA390

FA480 Senior Project
During the first half of this year long undertaking, the student, in consultation with the instructor and others, will define a starting point for the thesis project. The project will be substantial. It will exhibit personal vision and it will be professionally executed. The initial definition will be tested through rigorous examination of the artwork produced. New directions or productive tangents may be identified and pursued as the semester progresses. By the end of the semester, students will have created a substantial body of work reflecting an ever more refined grasp of their thesis project.
Credits: 3.0
Prerequisites: 24 photography credits

FA481 Multidisciplinary Thesis / Photography
During the second half of this yearlong undertaking, the student, in consultation with the instructor and others, will complete a thesis project. The project will be substantial. It will exhibit personal vision and it will be professionally executed. The course divides into two segments: intense work and more intense work. Segment one involves completion of the thesis project. Segment two involves exhibition of the work. Both segments will consist of high caliber, professional quality artwork. The students will have demonstrated an emerging personal direction, further clarified by editing.
Credits: 3.0
Prerequisites: FA480

FA490/FA491 Photography Internship
Photography seniors intern at a number of Milwaukee-area establishments, including commercial studios, community agencies, galleries and museums. This course is tailored to meet the student’s interest and provide a solid base of information upon which to build career plans.
Credits: 3.0
Prerequisites: 24 photography credits or Dean of Fine Arts approval