Studio and Lighting Fundamentals | Master Course Outlines | Academics

VAPH211 Studio and Lighting Fundamentals

3 credits

4050

VAPH110 (C or better) or VAPH151 (C or better) and VAMM100 (C or better)

None

Students are required to provide their own digital camera (minimum 5-6 megapixel with full manual capabilities), memory cards, flash/jump drives and other storage media for the duration of the course.

Students should be aware that additional hours beyond those provided during class are both expected and required for the completion of assignments.

There is a material supply cost for this course listed in the catalogue.

Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of photographic lighting. Tungsten, strobe, daylight, and an array of light shaping tools will be explored in an effort to further refine their photographic imagery. A central aim of the course will be the creation of a portfolio of high-quality, digital images.

Course Learning Goals

Students will:
1. identify the qualities of a variety of photographic light sources (tungsten, daylight, strobe, etc.), as well as demonstrate and understand the uses of light meters and light shaping tools;
2. explain the potential uses of these light sources and tools, and articulate the differences between them;
3. demonstrate the use of photographic lighting equipment and techniques in a variety of situations (portrait, still life, architectural, fine art, etc.);
4. analyze possible solutions to "lighting problems" and assess the best solutions;
5. apply lighting skills to their own personal and creative photographic projects;
Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
This course will provide students with a thorough understanding of the techniques and tools of photographic lighting. Students will build on skills learned in VAFA110 and/or VAFA151 and VAMM100 to further refine and improve the technical and aesthetic qualities of their photographic images. Topics covered will include: color temperature, metering, understanding lighting ratios, the proper use of photographic strobes and the use of light shaping tools. The course will culminate in the production of a portfolio of images produced using a variety of light sources.
Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
Course learning goals will be assessed through quizzes and photographs created for class projects and the final portfolio. These images will be assessed through individual and class critiques addressing the technical quality and aesthetic value of the work. In addition, students will be required to complete several short writing assignments, including an artist statement and a critical assessment of the work of an established photographer. Projects are assessed through critiques, oral presentations, and discussions.
Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
1. Digital camera (minimum of 5-6 megapixels with full manual capability)
2. Computer workstation (with Internet/web connection)
3. Tungsten and strobe lighting equipment, on-camera flash, light shaping tools
4. Appropriate image editing software
5. Departmentally-selected textbook and/or other supplementary text based materials (including CD-ROMs, websites, etc., at the discretion of the instructor)
6. Supplementary digitally-projected/presented images
7. See course syllabus