Course Descriptions
Students can move into Photo I without Art I if they pass a portfolio review with the instructor.
VA-530-1 Photography I: Developing Ideas in Photography- Regular or G/T
Prerequisite: Art I This course explores the ways students apply the language of art in producing fine art photographs. Primary experiences will center around the use of a 35mm single lens reflex camera, film processing, darkroom techniques, print manipulation, and the presentation of work for specific purposes. Technical skills evolve through the introduction of pinhole photography and contact printings while refining personal and conceptual ideas. Experiences throughout the course will include composing, exposing, processing, enlarging images in the darkroom, and photographic digital imaging processes. This course is recommended for students who have demonstrated an ability to work successfully at a demanding pace. Emphasis is placed on creative problem solving, independent research, and task commitment, while developing a portfolio that reflects a diverse breadth of photographic experiences.
Photography II: Portfolio Development – Honors or AP
1 credit Prerequisite: Photo I This course begins the development of a body of work leading to the Advanced Placement Examination. Students will refine and master technical skills as well as experiment with alternative approaches and materials as they compose photographs. Additionally, students will develop a photographic portfolio that demonstrates quality, shows breadth of formal, technical, and expressive experiences and concentrates on a specific theme or problem. Through collaboration with peers and instructors students will develop a personal aesthetic viewpoint that will be demonstrated through the AP Portfolio. It is recommended that students in this course take the AP Exam when it is offered in May.
Photography III: Personal Directions in Photography - Honors or AP:
In this course students will develop a thematic body of work that can be used for college admissions, scholarships and student exhibitions. As students move from the second to the third level in photo studio, the content sharpens in focus upon self-assessment and evaluation. Students continue working in a sketchbook/journal to refine personal imagery based on the study of master artists.
Students can move into Photo I without Art I if they pass a portfolio review with the instructor.
VA-530-1 Photography I: Developing Ideas in Photography- Regular or G/T
Prerequisite: Art I This course explores the ways students apply the language of art in producing fine art photographs. Primary experiences will center around the use of a 35mm single lens reflex camera, film processing, darkroom techniques, print manipulation, and the presentation of work for specific purposes. Technical skills evolve through the introduction of pinhole photography and contact printings while refining personal and conceptual ideas. Experiences throughout the course will include composing, exposing, processing, enlarging images in the darkroom, and photographic digital imaging processes. This course is recommended for students who have demonstrated an ability to work successfully at a demanding pace. Emphasis is placed on creative problem solving, independent research, and task commitment, while developing a portfolio that reflects a diverse breadth of photographic experiences.
Photography II: Portfolio Development – Honors or AP
1 credit Prerequisite: Photo I This course begins the development of a body of work leading to the Advanced Placement Examination. Students will refine and master technical skills as well as experiment with alternative approaches and materials as they compose photographs. Additionally, students will develop a photographic portfolio that demonstrates quality, shows breadth of formal, technical, and expressive experiences and concentrates on a specific theme or problem. Through collaboration with peers and instructors students will develop a personal aesthetic viewpoint that will be demonstrated through the AP Portfolio. It is recommended that students in this course take the AP Exam when it is offered in May.
Photography III: Personal Directions in Photography - Honors or AP:
In this course students will develop a thematic body of work that can be used for college admissions, scholarships and student exhibitions. As students move from the second to the third level in photo studio, the content sharpens in focus upon self-assessment and evaluation. Students continue working in a sketchbook/journal to refine personal imagery based on the study of master artists.