Course Title: Experiment with techniques to enhance digital images

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2014

Course Code: VART6249C

Course Title: Experiment with techniques to enhance digital images

School: 340T Art

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5308 - Diploma of Visual Arts

Course Contact : Jennifer Cabraja

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4472

Course Contact Email:visualarts@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Kirsten Lyttle

kirsten.lyttle@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 50

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

None

Course Description

In this course you will develop skills and knowledge to be able to capture digital images. You will work on the production of visual art images and gain an understanding on the production of the art photo imaging industry. This course allows you to conceptualise, research and initiate projects; undertake strategic planning and production tasks; manage finances; output visual art photo images to industry specifications; and liaise/consult with a range of associated and allied persons, work teams, government agencies and private enterprise.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUVDIG401A Experiment with techniques to enhance digital images

Element:

1. Develop proficiency with a range of digital imaging techniques and media

Performance Criteria:

1.1. Evaluate the potential for new approaches to digital imaging based on capabilities of techniques already used
1.2. Adapt or introduce new tools, equipment and materials to achieve different effects
1.3. Extend the capabilities of digital imaging techniques through experimentation
1.4. Take account of the safety and sustainability considerations for different techniques and media

Element:

2. Develop ideas for digital imaging

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Articulate creative and other goals for digital image work
2.2. Research, adapt and use relevant ideas and approaches from other practitioners with consideration of intellectual property requirements
2.3. Apply knowledge of different digital imaging techniques to inform ideas
2.4. Allow techniques and ideas to work together to inform each other
2.5. Consider the professional potential and other criteria for work when developing ideas
2.6. Refine and confirm ideas based on experimentation, research and collaboration with others

Element:

3. Organise digital imaging resources

Performance Criteria:

3.1. Assess specific resource requirements for the chosen work
3.2. Research and access potential sources of supply for digital imaging resources
3.3. Evaluate cost and other constraints that impact on the development of work
3.4. Evaluate and respond to presentation considerations for finished digital images
3.5. Set up or coordinate resource requirements according to safety and other workplace requirements

Element:

4. Create finished digital images

Performance Criteria:

4.1. Create digital images, using techniques and media selected from research and experimentation
4.2. Review and refine ideas and approaches based on ongoing experience with the production of work
4.3. Use safe and sustainable work practices throughout the production of work
4.4. Document and record the development of the work and the research and ideas that inform it

Element:

5. Evaluate own digital imaging work

Performance Criteria:

5.1. Reflect on own work in terms of conceptual development and technical execution
5.2. Identify areas for future improvement especially in terms of own skill development
5.3. Discuss completed work with others and respond positively to feedback


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate your competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

Your learning activities will take place in a Digital studio. You will complete presentations and industry style projects. You will also be required to undertake independent study.

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. Learning resources include access to studio and computer laboratories and relevant software. You will need also be expected to make use of the library resources.
The learning activities for this course centre around the following:

Participation in practical workshops conducted by a teacher. Workshops also provide the opportunity for student to practice & perform under supervision and coaching from a teacher
Participation in tutorials which can be one on one, small groups or whole class and which provide the opportunity for students to present their work for comment and critique by teachers and fellow students
Individual studio time for students to work on projects to develop skills and conceptual ability in an environment of discovery and experimentation
Keeping a visual diary which contains evidence of conceptual development, feedback on work from tutorials, reflection on own development and understanding, critical engagement and critical discourse
Research
Ongoing practice to become self managing
When available, attendance at exhibitions and field work.


Teaching Schedule

<thead> <th scope="col">Week</th> <th scope="col">Course content</th> <th scope="col">  Task / Assessment due dates</th> <th scope="col">Elements </th> </thead>
 1 Introduction to the course
  • OH&S requirements, materials, tools, studio rules and guideliens
  • Course requirements
  • Camera Equipment and Loans
  • Photography studio’s
  • Assessment criteria
  • Learning outcomes
  • Visit to Building 8, level 7, Audio Visual Department
  1.1,1.2,1.4,
 2 Introduction to Project 1: Genres of Photography
Learn operation of equipment
Photography: Landscape artists
Learn basic operation of the SLR Camera
Camera Craft
• Shutter speeds & Apertures
 
Go on a landscape Photo shoot. Bring images to next weeks class.  1.1,1.2,1.3,1.4,2.1,2.2,2.3,2.4,
 3 Project 1: Genres of Photography: Still LIfe Artists

Organise shoots on location or in studio and prepare shoot management timeline
Suggested Digital Workflow
  • Setting up Digital Folders on Server
  • RAW files and Adobe Camera RAW
  • Introduction to Bridge
  • Downloading and Sorting images

Bring landscape images to work on in class
For next week: Take Still Life images

2.1,2.2,2.3,3.1,4.1,4.3,
 4 Project 1: Genres of Photography: Portrait artists
Copyright issues
Camera Craft: Organising Shoot and management timelines
Editing in Photoshop
 

Bring Still Life images to work on in class

For next week: Take Portraits 

2.5,2.6,3.1,3.2,
 5  Project 1: Genres of Photography
  • Checking lab requirements
  • Settng up files for printing
  • Making a PRISM Template
  • Adding a stoke to your images
Bring Portrait images to work on in class

Choose images for final print 

3.4,3.5,4.1,4.2,4.3,
 6
  • Project 1: Genres of Photography
  • Finalise files to print
  • Excursion to PRISM DIGITAL IMAGING LAB
 Bring a blank CD or USB to class to take to Prism 2.4,2.5,
 7  Project 1 Due CLASS PRESENTATIONS  All work due on Digital Folder on server 2.1,3.4,5.1,5.2,5.3
 8  Project 1 Due CLASS PRESENTATIONS   2.1,3.4,5.1,5.2,.5.3
 9

Introduction to Project 2: Photographic Self
Portrait: The Body

  • Presentation on relevant artists

Timeline Exercise


Understanding Studio Lighting:

  • Studio lighting terminology
  • Standard 3-Point Lighting


Portrait Studio lighting techniques:

  • Rembrandt lighting
  • Split Light
  • Butterfly Light
Prepare a timeline for project 2 to bring to tutorial next week.
Bring Visual Diary for tutorial week 
1.2,1.4,2.2,
 10  TUTORIAL WEEK    2.1,5.1,5.2,5.3
 11

Project 2: Photographic Self Portrait:
Photographs of Personal Objects
Understanding Studio Lighting:

  • Objects and light tents

Bring 1st set of portraits to work on In class.
 

Take 2nd set of portraits to bring to next weeks class. 

 3.5,4.2,4.4
 12

Project 2: Photographic Self Portrait:
Self-Portrait: Photographs of Landscape
environment (home, neighbourhood)
 

Workshop: Night photography

Bring 2nd set of portraits to work on in class.
 

Take 3rd set of portraits to bring to next weeks class.

1.3,1.4, 2.3,2.4,2.5,2.6,4.1
 13

Project 2: Photographic Self Portrait:
Photographs of social environment
 

Group and individual tutorials

 Bring 3rd set of portraits to work on in class.  3.1,3.2,.4.1
 14 Final class to work on Portraits
Group and individual tutorials
 Final class to work on Portraits  3.2,3.33.4,5.1,5.2,5.3
 15  Project 2 Due, CLASS PRESENTATIONS  All work due on Digital Folder on server  3.4,,5.1,5.2,5.3
16 Folio Preparation    5.1,5.2,5.3


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Nikon D7000 kit - you will be able to borrow cameras from the School of Art


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is on-going throughout the course. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of knowledge and skills and will include:

  • Practical tasks, a major project
  • Direct observation including exploration of and experimentation with techniques
  • A digital portfolio which demonstrates personal reflection and feedback
  • Direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence.

An assessment charter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers


Assessment Tasks

THE FOLLOWING WORKS IS REQUIRED FOR SUBMISSION BETWEEN JUNE 10 AND JUNE 13 FOLIO ASSESSMENT:

1. Project 1: Genres of Photography;
•18 finished images (6 from each genre: Landscape, Still Life, Portrait)
•1 Pegasus print produced at Prism Digital Imaging Lab (with at least one image)
•1 Class Presentation
•1 Digital Folder on the server showing 4 folders;
a)Originals (RAW files)
b)Work in progress (18 files, which have been edited in either Bridge/Camera Raw or Photoshop with layers)
c)Finals (18 flattened files, can be Photoshop or tiff files, no layers)
d)Reference material (research images, and/or scans of visual diary, and/or word/text edit documents)

2. Project 2: Photographic Self Portrait;
•18 finished images (choose 3 of the following options;
o6 x self-portrait of face,
o6 x self-portrait of body part/whole,
o6 x personal objects,
o6 x landscape environment,
o6 x social environment)
•1 Pegasus print produced at Prism Digital Imaging Lab showing 3 images to create a triptych
•1 Class Presentation
•1 Digital Folder on the server showing 4 folders;
a)Originals (RAW files)
b)Work in progress (18 files, which have been edited in either Bridge/Camera Raw or Photoshop with layers)
c)Finals (18 flattened files, can be Photoshop or tiff files, no layers)
d)Reference material (research images, and/or scans of visual diary, and/or word/text edit documents)

3. Visual Diary

Your should have a Digital Folder for both Project 1 and Project 2 on the server (frida) showing 4 folders;


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 Manager.

Other Information

Feedback

You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

Please note:

While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview