Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Photography for Writers

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2011

Course Code: COMM5415

Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Photography for Writers

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5181 - Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing

Course Contact : Brendan Lee

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4368 Brendan Lee

Course Contact Email:brendan.lee@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Mr Don Porter
Phone: 9925 8089
Email: don.porter@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 85

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

At RMIT Refine Writing and Editing – Photography is delivered and assessed along with the following competencies.
CUVCOR04A - Originate concept for own work and conduct critical discourse
CUVCOR13A - Research and critically analyse history and theory to inform artistic practice
CUECOR01B - Manage own work and learning
CUSADM03A - Manage a project
CUVDES05A - Interpret and respond to a brief
CUSRAD02A - Conduct Research


Through the development of these competencies, you gain the skills needed to manage your work and learning while responding to a range of project briefs. You research the work of other writers and photographers and apply your findings to your own work through the development of a concept into a finished work.

Course Description

This unit covers the knowledge and skills required to work with text and digital photography. You learn about the photographic industry while using industry standard software to manipulate and enhance text and photographic images for a variety of purposes and in a range of contexts.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VBP553 Refine writing and editing techniques - Photography for Writers

Element:

1. Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media   

Performance Criteria:

1.1 The potential for new approaches to writing based on the capabilities of techniques already used are evaluated
1.2 New techniques are selected, adapted and introduced for the achievement of different effects
1.3 The capabilities of writing techniques are extended through experimentation to inform practice
1.4 Relevant ideas and approaches from other practitioners are researched, adapted and used with consideration of intellectual property, moral rights and copyright requirements

Element:

2. Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings

Performance Criteria:

2.1 The criteria for selecting techniques are considered based on results of experimentation
2.2 The criteria which are most likely to facilitate the achievement of the conceptual vision are established
2.3 The approach to work which meets established criteria is selected
2.4 The conceptual vision is refined based on on-going experimentation and analysis of writing techniques

Element:

3. Determine and organise resource requirements for work

Performance Criteria:

3.1The specific resource requirements which arise from the use of techniques and experimental approaches are assessed
3.2Potential sources of supply of writing resources are researched and accessed
3.3Constraints that may impact on the development of work are evaluated

Element:

4. Plan the writing

Performance Criteria:

4.1 The writing task is planned to reflect the media, scope, structure and content of the work and to meet agreed timelines
4.2 Ideas are organised and developed into an ordered sequence of scenes
4.3 All resources required to deliver the writing task are organised
4.4 A timeline for the completion of the writing task that reflects the critical milestones is determined

Element:

5. Realise writings                              

Performance Criteria:

Writings are realised using techniques and media selected from research and experimentation to meet the conceptual vision
The potential for changes in the use of techniques are evaluated and responded to
The conceptual vision is refined based on on-going experiences with the production of writings
Issues of design and presentation of writings are considered and appropriate actions taken


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will be able to take photographs and manipulate them in order to support a variety of written text.


Details of Learning Activities

In this course you learn through:
1. In-class activities:
• lectures
• field trips
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• peer teaching
• lab work
• group discussion
• class exercises to review discussions/lectures
• workshopping of students’ own projects
• analysis/critique of writings

2. Out-of-class activities:
• independent project based work
• writing and photographic assignments
• online and other research
• independent study


Teaching Schedule

                           

Week
Class content Assessment Competency and Elements
 Feb 11
Week 1
 Introduction to Digital Photography
Outline of course and discussion of course guide.
Scanning
What to look for in an analogue photograph.
What “tools” to use to vary and enhance your image.

CLASS EXERCISE
Take supplied Image, Scan, increase image canvas 2 cm to the right and clone in image to fit, use cloning tool to retouch imperfections.

(History Link - Henry Fox-Talbot to Ansel Adam)
 Introduction to Research Project assessment
VBP553 - 3
CUVDES05A - 1
CUVCOR 13A - 1
CUVCOR04A - 1
CUSRAD02A -1/2
CUSADM03A - 1
CUECOR01B -1


 
 Feb 18
Week 2
 Digital Photography - what’s so different?
A run down on the difference between the Brownie Box Camera and a Digital Camera.

• What are all the camera features?
• How do I use the camera?
• What Resolution to shoot on?
• How do I download my images?
• How do I process my images?

CLASS EXERCISE
Working in groups, take one hour in the precincts of the building and take at least two images each. Return to lab to download images and manipulate with basic manipulation.

(History Link - Athol Shmith and Helmut Newton)
Consultation on research project
  VBP553 - 2
CUVDES05A - 1
CUVCOR 13A - 1
CUVCOR04A - 1
CUSRAD02A -1/2
CUSADM03A - 1
CUECOR01B -1

Feb 25
Week 3
Lighting - Daylight to Dark
The influence of the Renaissance
The Reflector
The Tripod
The Portrait / the Product

CLASS EXERCISE Using daylight, take a side lit portrait using card “fill ins”
Selecting one image from each student prepare a PowerPoint presentation of today’s shoot

(History Link - Henri Cartier Bresson and Cazneaux )
Consultation on research project
  CUVDES05A – 1/2
CUVCOR 13A - 1
CUVCOR04A – 1/2
CUSRAD02A - 2
CUSADM03A - 2
CUECOR01B – 3
 March 4
Week 4
 Speed - What you see could be what was there……
Stopping action
Producing movement :
• In the camera
• In the computer
• Looking at Photoshop

CLASS EXERCISE Producing Blur in the computer’s Filter Files

(History Link - Erich Soloman)
Consultation on research project
   CUVDES05A – 1/2
CUVCOR 13A – 1/2
CUVCOR04A – 1/2
CUSRAD02A - 2
CUSADM03A - 2
CUECOR01B - 3

 
 March 11
Week 5
 The Close-Up - From Copying to Forget-Me-Nots
How to use the close up facility of the digital camera.
How to combine sharpness from foreground to background
(Integrated Image)

CLASS EXERCISE Using a studio light and a reflector, photograph a product that can be combined with an “outside” background

(History Link - The “Forerunners”)
Consultation on research project
   CUVCOR 13A -1/2
CUSADM03A – 2
CUECOR01B -3

 
 March 18
Week 6
 Using the Camera
Digital Photography is not all that different to traditional photography.
The creative element of Looking and Seeing still apply.

All digital cameras have the same basic functions and features. Like all cameras these can be in different positions and have varying effects on the finished image.

(History Link - Women Photographers
Margaret Bourke-White, Dickie Chapelle and Lee Miller)
Consultation on research project
  CUVCOR 13A 1/2
CUSADM03A – 2
CUECOR01B – 3
VBP553 – 4/5
CUSRAD02A – 2/3

 March 25
Week 7
 Designing with Photography
The design process and how to use it
(History Link Women Photographers 2
Imogen Cunningham, Tina Modotti, Dorothea Lange, Annie Leibovitz, Mary Ellen Mark and Sarah Moon)
Consultation on research project
   
 CUVCOR13A 1/2
CUSADM03A – 2
CUECOR01B – 3
VBP553 – 4/5
CUSRAD02A – 2/3
 April 1
Week 8
 Transposing Design to Artwork
Introduction to InDesign

(History Link - Sport Photographers, The Choice at a Millisecond

Consultation on research project
   CUVCOR13A 1/2
CUSADM03A – 2
CUECOR01B – 3
VBP553 – 4/5
CUSRAD02A – 2/3
 April 8
Week 9
 Chasing Shadows- Using shapes in photographs
Varying your angle of view
Adding Drama to your subject
Photoshop Image – Adjustments – Brightness/Contrast

(History Link - Australian Photographers. Max Dupain)
Consultation on research project
  CUVCOR 13A 1/2
CUSADM03A – 2
CUECOR01B – 3
VBP553 – 4/5
CUSRAD02A – 2/3


 April 15
Week 10
 The Flexible Ozzie - An Australian view

(History Link - Athol Smith and Rennie Ellis comparison)
Consultation on research project
  VBP553 - 2
CUVDES05A - 2
CUVCOR 13A – 1/2
CUVCOR04A – 1/2
CUSRAD02A - 2
CUSADM03A – 3
CUECOR01B - 2-
 April 21  Mid-semester Break    
Week 11 April 29  
Photographs and Words

Working on Photojournalism - My Street assessment
Consultation on research project

   VBP553 - 2
CUVDES05A - 2
CUVCOR 13A – 1/2
CUVCOR04A – 1/2
CUSRAD02A - 2
CUSADM03A – 3
CUECOR01B - 2
 May 6
Week 12
Fashion and Art

(History Lin k - Helmut Newton and Sarah Moon comparison)

Working on Photojournalism - My Street assessment
Consultation on research project 
   VBP553 – 2/3/4
CUVDES05A - 1
CUVCOR 13A – 1/2
CUVCOR04A – 1/2
CUSRAD02A – 1/2
CUSADM03A – 1/2
CUECOR01B -2
 May 13
Week 13
Photojournalism - What is it?
(History Link - PhotographersAlfred Eisenstedt and David Moore
Time Life and National Geographic)

Working on Photojournalism - My Street assessment
Consultation on research project
  VBP553 - 2
CUVDES05A - 2
CUVCOR 13A – 1/2
CUVCOR04A – 1/2
CUSRAD02A - 2
CUSADM03A – 3
CUECOR01B - 2
 May 20
Week 14
Nature and landscape
What is the “essence” of a “Subject”
Capturing the moment of a preselected theme that will give the complete story

Working on Photojournalism - My Street assessment
Consultation on research project  
Assessment 1 Illustrative assessment due  VBP553 - 2
CUVDES05A - 2
CUVCOR 13A – 1/2
CUVCOR04A – 1/2
CUSRAD02A - 2
CUSADM03A – 3
CUECOR01B - 2
 May 27
Week 15
A World at War - How it works

(History Link - Photography in conflict
Robert Capa W Eugene Smith)

Working on Photojournalism - My Street assessment
Consultation on research project
Assessment 2. Folio of 5 photographs due VBP553 – 4/5
CUVCOR 13A - 2
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSADM03A - 3
 June 3
Week 16
 
Consultation on research project
Assessment 3. Photojournalism assessment ’My Street’ due.
 VBP553 – 4/5
CUVCOR 13A - 2
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSADM03A – 3/4
 June 10
Week 17
 Assessment Week    
   SEMESTER 2
   
 July 8
Week 1
 Intro to Semester’s Program:
Manipulation to perfection
Presentation
Research Project

(History Link - Vietnam War)
Consultation on research project
  CUVDES05A - 2
CUVCOR 13A - 2
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSRAD02A – 3/4
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B - 3
 July 15
Week 2
 Making your Picture better

(History Link- The “Unknowns”)
Consultation on research project
  CUVDES05A - 2
CUVCOR 13A - 2
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSRAD02A – 3/4
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B - 3
 July 22
Week 3
 Planning the Illustrative Image:
Following the Romanticists


(History Link
Portraits: Andy Wahol and Arnold Newman a Comparison)
Consultation on research project
  VBP553 – 2/4
CUVDES05A – 1/2
CUVCOR 13A – 2/3
CUVCOR04A - 1
 July 29
Week 4
 Working to a Theme:
For publication or exhibition

(History Link - The Heide Bunch)
Assessment 4.   Manipulation Assessment due
 VBP553 – 2/3/4
CUVDES05A - 1
CUVCOR04A – 2/3/4
CUSADM03A - 2
CUECOR01B - 3
 August 5
Week 5
 One–day exercise around Melbourne:
Saturday or Sunday
Developing a Theme as a group
The class–time for this week will concern the selection of 10 images from your shoot,
Their manipulation and preparation into a PowerPoint presentation

(History Link - Recording a Theme
Consultation on research project
  VBP553 - 2
CUVCOR 13A - 3
CUVCOR04A - 2
CUSADM03A - 3
 August 12
Week 6
 The Business of Photography:
Business Practice from the start
From extra money to the whole thing.

(History Link
The Theme – Will McBride)
Consultation on research project
Assessment 5. Powerpoint assessment due
 VBP553 - 3
CUECOR01B – 1/2/3

 
 August 19
Week 7
 Promotion of the Business
Types and Styles of Photography as a Business
Presentations Used by Photographers in the Advertising a Business
General or Specialist.

(History Link
Travel photography – A Journey)
Consultation on research project

 CUVCOR 13A – 2/3

 August 26
Week 8
 The Exhibition
The Specialist Book
The Promotion Package

(History Link - Diane Arbus)


VBP553 – 2/3/4
CUVDES05A – 1/2
CUVCOR 13A - 2
CUVCOR04A – 2/3/4
CUSADM03A - 3
 Sept 2
Week 9
 Making the selection
Selecting photos from a shoot.
Do they tell the “Story”.

(History Link - Ansell Adams and Minor White: Perfection)
Consultation on research project
   VBP553 – 2/3/4
CUVDES05A – 1/2
CUVCOR 13A - 2
CUVCOR04A – 2/3/4
CUSADM03A - 3
 Sept 9
Week 10
 Working on Major assessment Item

(History Link - Man Ray)
Consultation on research project
  VBP553 – 4/5
CUVDES05A - 2
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSRAD02A – 3/4
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B - 2
 Sept 16
Week 11
 Working on Major assessment Item


(History Link - Robert Capa)
Consultation on research project
 Assessment 6. Promotional package due  VBP553 – 4/5
CUVDES05A - 2
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSRAD02A – 3/4
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B - 2
 Sept 23
Week 12
 Working on Major assessment Item

(History Link - Mario Gravo Neto)
Consultation on research project
 
 VBP553 – 4/5
CUVDES05A - 2
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSRAD02A – 3/4
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B - 2
 Sept 26 – Oct 7  Mid-Semester Break    
 Oct 14
Week 13
 Working on Major assessment Item

(History Link - Imogen Cunningham and Judy Dater: Generations of Power)
 Assessment 7. Presentation of Research Project
 VBP553 – 4/5
CUVDES05A - 2
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSRAD02A – 3/4
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B - 2
 Oct 21
Week 14
 Working on Major assessment Item

Designing promotional materials for Exhibit
   VBP553 – 4/5
CUVDES05A - 2
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSRAD02A – 3/4
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B - 2
 Oct 28
Week 15
 Working on Major assessment Item

Mounting and Framing
   VBP553 – 4/5
CUVDES05A - 2
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSRAD02A – 3/4
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B - 2
 Nov 4
Week 16
 Presentation of Exhibition  Assessment 8. Presentation of Images due
 CUVDES05A – 3/4
CUVCOR 13A - 3
CUSRAD02A - 4
CUSADM03A - 4
CUECOR01B - 3
Nov 11
Week 17
 Assessment Week    


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

There is no prescribed text for this course


References

You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information.


Other Resources

You require access to a camera, computer and to the internet for this course


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentations and through the completion of practical and written projects.


Assessment Tasks

To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.

Assessment 1 –Illustrative Image Assessment: (5%) Due May 20
The Planning of an Illustrative Image - Researching the way an artist prepares for a painting, prepare a concept image in sketch form.

Assessment 2 - Folio of 5 photographs (20%) Due May 27
Folio of 5 photographs covering the following: Advertising - Product Photography Portraiture - Personality and Promotional Photography Nature / Landscape Photography Illustrative Sport

Assessment 3 - Photojournalism (25%) Due June 3
Produce two double page spreads of photos and copy under the topic of “My Street”.
Numbers of images – at least eight
The copy is to be about your concept of your street. The magazines that may take up your material will be general interest magazines with a leaning towards the “quirky” side of neighbourhood living.

Assessment 4 – Manipulation Assessment (5%) Due July 29
Preparing the image you envisaged not what you photographed.
Select one of your photographs and use the various Image Manipulation tools in Photoshop and enhance, or introduce, a greater visually emotional effect in that image



Assessment 5 – PowerPoint Presentation (5%) August 12
Working from the images taken on the weekend shoot prepare a PowerPoint Presentation featuring ten selected images

Assessment 6 – Promoting a Photographic Business (5%) Due September 16
Prepare a concept for a Promotional “Package” for a Photography business

Assessment 7 - Research Report (15%) Due Oct 14
You will be working on this project throughout the year. You choose your own topic based on an area of photography that interests you.
The final project should be 1000 words, fully referenced. wk 16wk s2
Exhibition, Book, Web, PowerPoint, etc

Assessment 8 - Presentation of Images (20%) Due November 4
Present a thematic selection of images of your own choosing and display them in the manner of your choice




Grades used in this course are as follows:

Grades which apply to curriculum-based courses:
80 – 100% HD High Distinction
70 – 79% DI Distinction
60 – 69% CR Credit
50 – 59% PA Pass
Under 50% NN Fail

For further details on these assessment tasks and the grading system and criteria used, please refer to the course blackboard site.


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available through the course contact in Program administration.

Other Information

Feedback:
You will receive spoken and/or written feedback by teacher on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

Late Submissions:
Please refer to the course blackboard site for policy information on late submissions and plagiarism

Plagiarism:
RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.


Special consideration Policy (Late Submission):
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension.
Please refer to the following URL for extensions and special consideration:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1;

Course Overview: Access Course Overview