Technical Fundamentals

• PhotoShop 6 & 7 Basics, Presets, Preferences
. . . . . . . . . . Improvements in 7.0
. . . . . . . . . . Keyboard Equivalents
. . . . . . . . . . Making Instructional Layered Files
. . . . . . . . . . Slide Shows
. . . . . . . . . . Sharpening Techniques
. . . . . . . . . . Apply Image Uses
. . . . . . . . . . Levels vs. Curves (when to use each)
. . . . . . . . . . Contrast and Extending Dynamic Range (JPC)
. . . . . . . . . . Apply Image Uses
. . . . . . . . . . Levels vs. Curves (when to use each)
. . . . . . . . . . Contrast and Extending Dynamic Range (JPC)
• Scanning & Resolution
. . . . . . . . . . low end to high end; reflective, transparent, 3-D
. . . . . . . . . . Moiré and Descreening
. . . . . . . . . . Combining two scans to increase range (BH)
• Digital Capture Systems
. . . . . . . . . . 8-bit vs. 16-bit captures
• File Management & Formats
. . . . . . . . . . Creating Master Archives & Re-purposing Down
. . . . . . . . . . Proofing & File Output
• Photo Equivalents
. . . . . . . . . . Zone System (BH)
• Color Management & Printing Parameters
. . . . . . . . . . Monitors, Color Spaces, Working Spaces
• Sharpening Techniques
. . . . . . . . . . Automating with actions

Conceptual Development

• Formal vs. Narrative (Objective vs. Subjective)
• Creating uniquely original constructs
• Single image vs. assemblages, collages, diptychs, triptych, & polyp-tychs
• Design Elements that Add Impact
• Quick Read vs. Studied Compositions
• Emotional and Psychological Triggers
. . . . . . . . . . Color
. . . . . . . . . . Exposure
. . . . . . . . . . Key
. . . . . . . . . . Sharp vs. Blurred
• GET / BVS (John Szarkowski); Big MAC Theory (Mystery, Ambiguity, Contradiction); Memorability Formula (Vis. Interest + Concept + Emotional Response = Memorability);
• F_U_N (embrace Fantasy, seek Unexpected solutions, create New surprises).

Digital Fundamentals

• Paper Selections
• Photo Retouching Techniques
. . . . . . . . . . Retouch Layers and Selection Masks
. . . . . . . . . . Retouching in Channels
. . . . . . . . . . Blemish, red eye quick fixes
. . . . . . . . . . Restorations (BH)
• Sharpening Techniques
. . . . . . . . . . Which technique for the media you select
. . . . . . . . . . When to sharpen, how much….
• Blending Modes
• Blurring Techniques and when to use them
• Masking Techniques
. . . . . . . . . . Extractor Tool
. . . . . . . . . . Using the image as the ultimate mask
• Composites and Color Corrections (BH)
• Color Corrections in CMYK, by the numbers (DM)
• Curve Control
• Textures and Patterns
• Changing Product Colors
• Alternative Processes
. . . . . . . . . . Cross Process (slide and negative)
. . . . . . . . . . Platinum & Paladium
. . . . . . . . . . Cyanotype & Van Dyke
. . . . . . . . . . Gum Bichromate
. . . . . . . . . . Full Color Toning & Split Toning
. . . . . . . . . . Duotones, Tritones, Quadtones
• B&W Techniques
. . . . . . . . . . Solarization Method
. . . . . . . . . . Infrared Techniques
. . . . . . . . . . B&W printing methods on RGB printers
. . . . . . . . . . B&W archival printing on carbon-based pigment printers
. . . . . . . . . . B&W Hand Coloring
. . . . . . . . . . Line Drawing
• Atmospheric Perspective & Language of Nighttime (JPC)
• Natural Media Techniques
. . . . . . . . . . Watercolor
. . . . . . . . . . Oil and Impasto

Equipment & Access List (access released progressively)

• Studio Time (if you have completed GDP 209 or can place out)
• Canon D-30 for studio use (if you have completed GDP 209 or can place out)
• Flextight Pro II Scan (drum scan equivalent; 35mm to 8x10 R & T)
• Nikon Coolscan 8000 (35mm and medium format)
• Epson 5120 Archival B&W Printer
• Epson 7500 – 24” wide pigment printer (archival)
• Epson 9500 – 44” wide pigment printer (archival)
• Epson Expression 1680 Graphic model (wide bed reflective)

Optional Textbooks

• Adobe Photoshop 6.0 for Photographers by Martin Evening
. . . . . . . . . . Most photo based ($50 – no CD)
• Photoshop 6 Artistry - Mastering of the Digital Image by Barry Haynes
. . . . . . . . . . Best online support and information site ($60)
• Professional Photoshop 6 – The Classic Guide to Color Correction by Dan Margulis
. . . . . . . . . . A heavy CMYK focus for offset printing ($65)
• Adobe Photoshop Master Class by John Paul Caponigro
. . . . . . . . . . Best fine art offering (heavily landscape oriented)

• Effects based on the work of contemorary fine artists:
. . . . . . . . . . Robert Stivers
. . . . . . . . . . Luis Gonzalez Palma
. . . . . . . . . . Mike and Doug Starn Twins

• Additional books used to compile this class:
. . . . . . . . . . The Photoshop 6 WOW! Book by Dayton Davis
. . . . . . . . . . 50 Fast Digital Photo Techniques by Gregory Georges
. . . . . . . . . . Photoshop 6 Down & Dirty Tricks by Scott Kelby
. . . . . . . . . . Photoshop Killer Tips by Kelby & Nelson
. . . . . . . . . . Photoshop 6 Cookbook by Froebisch, Lindner, Steffen
. . . . . . . . . . Photoshop 6 Photo-Retouching Secrets by Scott Kelby
. . . . . . . . . . Digital: Photography: Handbook by Tim Daly
. . . . . . . . . . Photoshop Retouching & Restoration by Katrin Eismann
. . . . . . . . . . The Book of Alternative Processes by Christopher James
. . . . . . . . . . Pinhole Photography by Eric Renner
. . . . . . . . . . The Master Photographer’s Lith Printing Course by Tim Rudman
. . . . . . . . . . The Reconfigured Eye – Visual Truth in the Post-Photo- graphic Era by Willaim J. Mitchell
. . . . . . . . . . Digital Wizardry by Bryan Allen

Assessments and Grading Policy

• Quizzes / Exams
. . . . . . . . . . Minimum 4 quizzes (optional)
• Midterm Exam (optional)
• Final Exam (optional)
• Conceptual assignments have one to three week deadlines.
. . . . . . . . . . Any assignment can be re-shot for a higher grade when original deadline is met.
. . . . . . . . . . Zeros on assignments not meeting deadlines; but, they can be re-submitted by the end of term changing the zero to a 60).
. . . . . . . . . . 90-100 = Excellent
. . . . . . . . . . 80-89 = Very Good
. . . . . . . . . . 70-70 = Satisfactory
. . . . . . . . . . 60-69 = Below Satisfactory
. . . . . . . . . . 59 and below = Fail

Final Portfolio (10 print portfolio)

• FINAL GRADES are based on 4 components:
. . . . . . . . . . Quiz/Exam Averages
. . . . . . . . . . Assignment Averages
. . . . . . . . . . Final Portfolio
. . . . . . . . . . Attendance and Participation
••• Attendance is mandatory (6 lates or unexcused absences can result in a drop or a failing grade).

LOWELL © 2002

1
work on the tutorial files in advance of photo assignments in order to apply the latest techniques to your own work.

2
explore as many new techniques as this semester possible.