Catalog Description

Prerequisite: Completion of PHOT 60A or 78 with grade of "C" or better
Hours: 72 (36 lecture, 36 activity)
Description: Photographic essay as a focused body of work. Historical origins and cultural impact of documentary photography. Contemporary practitioners, organization of visual essays, and documentary video capture. Students select projects of personal interest and cultural relevance and participate in assigned group projects. Students must supply digital storage media or film, paper, and presentation materials. (CSU)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Create documentary essays considering subjective interests, visual meaning and historical context.
  • CSLO #2: Analyze contemporary and historical documentary work in terms of intent, societal influence, visual interest, and communication.
  • CSLO #3: Assess still and video images based upon technical quality, visual interest, and communication content.

Effective Term

Fall 2018

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

72

Outside of Class Hours

90

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

Lecture Objectives:
1. define the characteristics of documentary photography and the documentary essay;
2. apply principles of proper camera use to various photographic situations encountered in project;
3. demonstrate proper motion and sound capture;
4. select appropriate documentary subject matter based upon both subjective interests and understanding of documentary genre;
5. plan a photographic essay for visual meaning;
6. schedule shooting, obtain permissions and keep records;
7. analyze and evaluate impact of photographs in terms of subject, technique, composition, presentation and communication;
8. survey photographers and photographs in diverse cultures for comparisons and contrasts within various styles and periods for impact and expression;
9. distinguish between social and environmental documentary projects;
10. discuss the social significance of historic documentary projects;
11. compare the working methods of contemporary documentary photographers with those working in the past;
12. name local resources for photographs and historical records;
13. identify potential contemporary and regional documentary projects;
Activity/Laboratory Objectives:
14. edit negatives, digital still and video files for inclusion in final visual essay based upon technical quality, visual interest, and communication content;
15. edit raw video footage based on storytelling, established techniques, and time constraints;
16. create enlargements as finished products for archival purposes with identification;
17. create and present a cohesive portfolio of images as a documentary essay with self-evaluation.
18. create and present a documentary video with self-evaluation.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • AA/AS - Fine Arts
  • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
    • CSUGE - C1 Arts
  • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
    • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

      Articulation Information

      • CSU Transferable

      Methods of Evaluation

      • Classroom Discussions
        • Example: A classroom discussions will take place on the working methods of contemporary documentary photographers, such as Sebastiao Salgado, with those working in the past, such as W. Eugene Smith. Students are evaluated on participation, their ability to actively engage in the discussion and to provide input and receive feedback from their peers.
      • Essay Examinations
        • Example: Students will be assigned to read the chapter in the text on “The Other.” During class, students will write a short essay on the issues of documenting a culture other than their own. A rubric will be provided in advance of the examination detailing the expectations for the essay and their relative weight.
      • Objective Examinations
        • Example: An objective exam will be given to measure student knowledge of photographic techniques related to documentary photography. A standard assessment of less than 60% receives an F, 60%-69% receives a D, 70%-79% correct receives a C, 80%-89% receives a B, and 90%-100% receives an A would be utilized.
      • Projects
        • Example: Students will create a documentary essay along with a self-evaluation of their project. Grading will be based upon a rubric provided to students at the beginning of the project. Components of this rubric will include the ability for the images to tell a story, their success in terms of aesthetics, consistency of style, craftsmanship and presentation.
      • Reports
        • Example: Students will research an assigned documentary photographer and produce a written report as well as an oral and visual presentation given to the class. A rubric will be provided detailing the components of the assignment and their relative weight when determining a final grade.

      Repeatable

      No

      Methods of Instruction

      • Activity
      • Lecture/Discussion
      • Distance Learning

      Activity:

      1. Instructor will lecture on and demonstrate archival print processing. Students will create documentary images and produce final prints to archival standards.

      Lecture:

      1. Instructor will lecture on the major historical and contemporary figures in the field of documentary photography. Instructor will then assign a research project that students must complete on an assigned photographer. The research project will include both a written report and oral/visual presentation to the class.

      Distance Learning

      1. Instructor will create a video or PowerPoint presentation with audio on ethics in documentary photography. Instructor will also provide the appropriate chapter in the textbook or a link to OER on the subject for students to read. Student will seek any necessary clarifications through discussion boards or office hours. Student will then apply this knowledge in the creation of their social documentary project.

      Typical Out of Class Assignments

      Reading Assignments

      1. Read the interview with Sebastiao Salgado and come prepared to discuss his impact on documentary photography, his working methods and the role ideology plays in his work. 2. Read the chapter on available light. In class prepare to discuss ways of coping with poor lighting situations in both still and video capture.

      Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

      1. From the list of photographers choose a photographer for in-depth review of his/her work. Write a report following the format provided to describe the work, its social significance and important biographical information concerning the photographer. 2. Prepare a detailed written proposal outlining what your social documentary project will be for the semester. Make sure to include a timeline, contacts and permissions that need to be obtained and your reasons for choosing your project.

      Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

      A final portfolio of student's documentary essay will be completed and presented.

      Required Materials

      • Witness in Our Time: Working Lives of Documentary Photographers
        • Author: Ken Light
        • Publisher: Smithsonian Books
        • Publication Date: 2010
        • Text Edition: 2nd
        • Classic Textbook?:
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • Alex Webb and Rebecca Norris Webb on Street Photography and the Poetic Image: The Photography Workshop Series
        • Author: Alex Webb and Rebecca Norris Webb
        • Publisher: Aperture
        • Publication Date: 2014
        • Text Edition: 1st
        • Classic Textbook?:
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • Photography as Activism: Images for Social Change Paperback
        • Author: Michelle Bogre
        • Publisher: Focal Press
        • Publication Date: 2011
        • Text Edition: 1st
        • Classic Textbook?:
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • The Documentary Filmmakers Handbook
        • Author: Genevieve Jolliffe and Andrew Zinnes
        • Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
        • Publication Date: 2012
        • Text Edition: 2nd
        • Classic Textbook?:
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • Documentary (Whitechapel: Documents of Contemporary Art)
        • Author: Stallabrass
        • Publisher: The MIT Press
        • Publication Date: 2013
        • Text Edition: 1st
        • Classic Textbook?:
        • OER Link:
        • OER: Digital storage media, paper, film and presentation materials

      Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.