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PHOT 331 A (3 Credits)

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY I



Instructor



Teaching 
Assistant

Session

Time

Location
Adam Simms
adam.simms@concordia.ca
Schedule a meeting︎

Eve Marie Vitalité
evemariegascon@gmail.com

Winter 2025

Wednesdays from 8:30 AM–12:30 PM

EV 5.709 SGW




LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Concordia University is located on unceded Indigenous lands. The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation is recognized as the custodians of the lands and waters on which we gather today. Tiohtià:ke/Montréal is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations. Today, it is home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples. We respect the continued connections with the past, present and future in our ongoing relationships with Indigenous and other peoples within the Montreal community.

This territorial acknowledgement and resources were created by Concordia University’s Indigenous Directions Leadership Group (2017).




COURSE DESCRIPTION

An introductory studio course investigating the technical and creative aspects of digital photography. This course provides students with an understanding of the digital image and a practical application of the tools within their personal approach to photography. Students explore the production of digital photographs, emphasizing the manipulation of images with software and the preparation for different formats. Issues related to the use of digital imagery within the larger context of photography are explored.

Prerequisite: PHOT 210; PHOT 221 previously or concurrently; and enrolment in the Major in Photography, or written permission of the program director.

NOTE: Students who have received credit for this topic under a PHOT 498 number may not take this course for credit.

NOTE: Students are required to bear the cost of removable storage devices, printing, and other materials.


OVERVIEW
This course will establish the fundamental components of digital darkroom workflows. Building on prior analog experiences, students will develop technical proficiency with digital tools and processes, integrating them into their artistic practice. Early in the semester, students will explore essential concepts such as file formats, resolution, channels, and color management. Workshops will offer hands-on experience with flatbed and film scanners, RAW file processing, and image editing using Adobe Photoshop.

Assignments and lectures will focus on cultivating critical visual analysis, problem-solving skills, and technical expertise. Through small exercises, students will learn to evaluate their images, identify areas for improvement, and make effective corrections. In the latter half of the course, students will apply advanced digital manipulation techniques to a small creative project, refining their aesthetic sensibilities and artistic vision.

In addition to technical training, students will engage with readings, discussions, and portfolios of contemporary artists to explore the broader implications of digital imagery. These activities will encourage thoughtful consideration of digital photography’s aesthetic, conceptual, and cultural possibilities. By the end of the course, students will have a strong technical foundation, enhanced critical thinking skills, and a refined approach to their creative practice.



OBJECTIVES
  1. Support student’s production in their studio classes (PHOT300, PHOT400 or Special Topics in Photography.)
  2. Acquire the technical skills required to control analog and digital image inputs.
  3. Learn the software skills to formally correct digital images. 
  4. Prepare digital images for a variety of outputs.
  5. Establish a proficient digital workflow to support the production based practicies.
  6. Develop critical visual analysis and problem-solving skills to diagnose and resolve technically challenging images.



DELIVERY

IN-PERSON
Classes will be held on campus at EV 5.709 SGW unless specified otherwise in the course schedule. In-person attendance is mandatory. 

ZOOM
In the event that a class will be delivered remotely, students are expected to participate in this class via the Zoom platform. We will use a consistent Zoom meeting link to access the course: https://concordia-ca.zoom.us/j/7552459598?pwd=1i1gsDyGPj39RcPOw079bUbZp6wWWT.1

  • It is strongly encouraged to have your camera on during the Zoom class meetings.
  • If you have your camera on, you are now in a public space, even if you are physically in your bedroom. It is important to draw your boundary and present yourself as if you are in a public space with your classmates.
  • If you have your camera on, protect everyone’s privacy by not having another person who is not part of the class on camera with you. This is the same as offline classrooms, where you can’t usually bring an external party with you.



FEES & MATERIALS

Photography department fee: All students must pay $60 for each 3-credit course. Please pay online and email the receipt to the teaching assistant by week 4, February 5th, 2025. The names of students who have yet to pay by this date are given to the technicians, and students will only be able to access the labs or borrow equipment once the fees are paid.

Students must bear the cost of all photographic materials needed to complete their assignments.

Suggested materials:




GRADING

Assignment #1: 30%
Assignment #2: 30%
Assignment #3: 30%
Attendance & participation: 10%


A+, A, A-: Outstanding - Work surpasses expectations. Highly resolved conceptually and technically.
B+, B, B-: Very Good - Above average completion and participation.
C+, C, C-: Satisfactory - Minimal completion of assignments and projects.
D+, D, D-: Marginal Pass - Work is completed, with little effort or personal investment.
F: Poor/Failure – Work is incomplete and/or unsatisfactory.

A+ 90-100
B+ 77-79
C+ 67-69
D+ 57-59
F 0-49
A 85-89
B 73-76
C 63-66
D 53-56
A- 80-84
B- 70-72
C- 60-62
D- 50-52

Please refer to the Concordia Academic Calendar, section 16.3.3 for additional Information on the Grading System.



RULES

ATTENDANCE
Attendance is mandatory for every class unless a prior arrangement has been made with the instructor. Students are expected to arrive on time for scheduled classes and meetings. Being more than 30 minutes late to class constitutes an absence.

  • Students will not be allowed to present their projects if they have missed their peers’ critiques.
  • Missing your own critique is equivalent to missing an exam. The instructor could assign an F grade for the assignment if deemed appropriate.
  • Missing three classes per term will result in failing the course.

Students with valid documentation and medical notes will not be penalized for absences.


PARTICIPATION
Participation marks are given based on students’ overall presence during the course, including their attendance record and thoughtful contributions to the discussion during workshops, lectures and critiques. A low attendance record naturally leads to a low participation grade. Also, students’ involvement with the course material is assessed based on their efforts and level of engagement during and outside of class time. Students can expect a high participation grade if they keep a good attendance record and are proactive about their own learning by asking questions and sharing their knowledge and opinions with their peers during class discussions.

Students who regularly fail to participate in discussions and assignments not only hurt their own chances of success but also diminish the learning experience for all students in the class.

The use of cell phones or texting is NOT permitted in class. Marks will be deducted if these rules are not respected.


COMMUNICATION
Please use professional language when emailing the professor or teaching assistant.

To promote a healthy working environment and work/life balance, please allow 24 hours for us to respond to your email. We are always happy and available to answer questions. However, before sending an email, please check your syllabus; the answer may already be on this document.

Students are responsible for regularly checking their email and our class  site for updates regarding the course. For communications requiring privacy, students can contact the instructor directly via email or book an individual meeting.


DEADLINES
While students are expected to meet deadlines given for each assignment, late assignments can be submitted after the assignment due date, incurring a penalty of 5% each day. Assignments will not be accepted more than one week after the assignment deadline, and you will be assigned a grade of zero (0).


BEHAVIOUR
This course will require students to work collaboratively with one another. The success of our online class depends on trust, respect and mutual support. Students are responsible for contributing to an inclusive learning environment free of bullying, harassment and discrimination. This includes addressing classmates using their preferred names and pronouns in online discussions. It is of the utmost importance that respect is maintained between all members of the class in order to create a positive working environment.

This class does not tolerate remarks that are disrespectful and offensive towards another’s ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality and/or accessibilities.  Sexual violence, including sexual harassment and sexual assault, is not tolerated at Concordia. Please see Concordia’s policy on sexual violence for more information about awareness and prevention, support for survivors/ victims, responding to disclosures and procedures for reports and complaints. You can also contact the Sexual Assault Resource Centre for information and support. More information and support are available at the Sexual Assault Resource Centre, by email sarc@concordia.ca or phone 514-848-2424 x 3353.

All individuals participating in courses are expected to be professional and constructive throughout the course, including in their communications. Concordia students are subject to the Code of Rights and Responsibilities which applies both when students are physically and virtually engaged in any University activity, including classes, seminars, meetings, etc. Students engaged in University activities must respect this Code when engaging with any members of the Concordia community, including faculty, staff, and students, whether such interactions are verbal or in writing, face to face or online/virtual. Failing to comply with the Code may result in charges and sanctions, as outlined in the Code.

https://www.concordia.ca/ctl/teaching/inclusive-learning.html


PLAGIARISM
The most common offence under the Academic Code of Conduct is plagiarism, which the Code defines as “the presentation of the work of another person as one’s own or without proper acknowledgement.” This includes material copied word for word from books, journals, Internet sites, professor’s course notes, etc. It refers to material that is paraphrased but closely resembles the original source. It also includes for example the work of a fellow student, an answer on a quiz, data for a lab report, a paper or assignment completed by another student. It might be a paper purchased from any source. Plagiarism does not refer to words alone –it can refer to copying images, graphs, tables and ideas. “Presentation” is not limited to written work. It includes oral presentations, computer assignments and artistic works. Finally, if you translate the work of another person into any other language and do not cite the source, this is also plagiarism.


ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS
In the case of emergencies, illness, or inability to complete the course work for any reason, accommodations can be made with the instructor with clear communication and advance notice. Students who prefer to submit any and all written material in the French language are welcome to do so.


ACCESSIBILITY
This course strives to make the learning experience as accessible and inclusive as possible. If you have accessibility needs that require academic accommodations, please meet with an advisor from the Access Centre for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) as soon as possible to set up an accommodation plan. I welcome meeting with all students to discuss their accessibility needs.


THIRD PARTY TECHNOLOGY
Students are advised that external software, website and/or tool (“Third Party Technology”) will be used in the course and students may be asked to submit or consent to the submission of their work to an online service. Students are responsible for reading and deciding whether or not to agree with the Third Party Technology’s terms of use. Use of any Third Party Technology is voluntary. Students who do not consent to the use of Third Party Technology should identify themselves to the course instructor as soon as possible to discuss alternate acceptable modes of participation that do not require them to give the third party intellectual property rights.

By using Third Party Technologies, students agree to provide and share their work and certain personal information (where applicable) with the third party provider. Students are advised that the University cannot guarantee the protection of intellectual property rights or personal information provided to any third party provider (website or software company) and that applicable intellectual property and personal information laws could be those of foreign jurisdictions.


IP
Content belonging to instructors shared in online courses, including, but not limited to, online lectures, course notes, and video recordings of classes remain the intellectual property of the faculty member. It may not be distributed, published or broadcast, in whole or in part, without the express permission of the faculty member. Students are also forbidden to use their own means of recording any elements of an online class or lecture without express permission of the instructor. Any unauthorized sharing of course content may constitute a breach of the Academic Code of Conduct and/or the Code of Rights and Responsibilities. As specified in the Policy on Intellectual Property, the University does not claim any ownership of or interest in any student IP. All university members retain copyright over their work.


EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES
In the event of extraordinary circumstances and pursuant to the Academic Regulations, the University may modify the delivery, content, structure, forum, location and/or evaluation scheme. In the event of such extraordinary circumstances, students will be informed of the changes.


CODE OF CONDUCT
All students enrolled at Concordia University must comply with the Concordia Code of Conduct rules. It is the student’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with and fully understand this information.