︎

PHOT 331 A (3 Credits)

ASSIGNMENTS





ASSIGNMENT #1: Contact Sheets (10%)
January 28th at 11:59pm
This assignment aims to establish an image organization and management workflow to ensure you build an efficient digital image library. Also, outputting a collection of photos in a small, labelled format on a single sheet of paper is often a practical way to reference a series of images.

  1. Create a project folder with the appropirate folder structure.
  2. Working with existing digital images or shooting new images, organize a folder of ~36 RAW images in Adobe Bridge.
  3. Flag a minimum of 12 images for selection.
  4. Convert your selected RAW files using Adobe Camera Raw and apply basic corrections.
  5. Open your images in Adobe Photoshop and save your master files in the correct file format, with an appropriate filename, in the appropriate folder. (no need to apply adjustments in Adobe Photoshop-we will work on Photoshop adjustments in Assignment #2.)
  6. In Adobe Bridge, select your 12 master images and create contact sheets as a single PDF. Your contact sheets should include four (4) images per 8x10” page and include the filename of each image. Export your three (3) contact sheets with a total of twelve (12) images as a PDF.
  7. Upload your assignment PDF to Moodle.




ASSIGNMENT #2: Inputs (15%)
February 18th at 11:59pm
This technical assignment will explore analog input methods available for digital image-making. Through the process of scanning analog source materials, you will learn and demonstrate the best practices for resolution, sharpening, and editing digital images while simultaneously considering final output constraints. 

  1. Choose previously exposed images or shoot new images composed of different subjects, such as portrait, still life, landscape, etc.
  2. Scan a colour negative using an Imacon Flextight scanner to produce an image file of 24x36 inches at 300 PPI.
  3. Scan a colour negative OR reflective print using an Epson flatbed scanner to produce an image file of 16x20 inches at 300 PPI.
  4. Convert a digital RAW file to produce an image of 8x10 inches at 300 PPI.
  5. Apply image density and colour corrections with no clipped details or visible casts. All files should be clean at 100% with no visible dust, scratches, or obvious defects.
  6. Save your corrected image files in unflattened TIFF, PSD, or PSB format with organized and labelled layers. Save your file with the naming convention of first and last name followed by the image dimensions:
            – Example: adam-simms-24x36.psd 
            – Example: adam-simms-16x20.psd
            – Example: adam-simms-8x10.psd

Upload your assignment files to Moodle or WeTransfer.



ASSIGNMENT #3: Printing (30%)
March 18th OR March 25th (During inidividual meetings)
Now that you've learned to correct your images, it's time to become comfortable outputting your digital images to physical prints. The objective of this assignment is to establish printing workflows so that you can develop a strong sense of how images on a screen will translate to ink on paper.  

  1. Select five (5) photographs you would like to consider for your final triptych project (see Assignment #4.) Both digital and/or scanned images are permitted.
  2. Adjust image density, colour corrections, and sharpening so that there are no clipped details or visible casts. All files should be clean at 100% with no visible dust, scratches, or obvious defects.
  3. Choose the paper type that best suits your project from the Photography Depot. You may need to test which paper is best suited to the content and style of your images.
  4. Use the test strip workflow we learned in class to correct your prints until you’re happy with the output.
  5. Print an “accurate” 8x10” printed proof of each of your five (5) images.
  6. Save your corrected image files in unflattened TIFF, PSD, or PSB format with organized and labelled layers.

Upload your assignment files to Moodle or send via WeTransfer and bring your physical prints to your individual meeting.



ASSIGNMENT #4: Triptych (30%)
April 1st or April 8th - During Class 
For the final assignment, you will present a triptych that demonstrates your distinct voice as an image-maker as well as the thematic and formal concerns that you have developed throughout the term. The three images should be primarily content-driven, considering the triptych format and reflecting the technical skills you have acquired. You are expected to create conceptually and technically coherent work and determine the best output format, such as prints, projectors, or screens.

A selection of images to be considered for your triptych must be prepared, along with the conceptual and technical details of your images, to discuss your in-progress work during your individual meeting with the instructor.

Final projects will be presented and critiqued by the class during the last two classes of the semester. A schedule will be determined prior to the critiques.