Photography 1

Erica Wright, Instructor

Green Valley High School
elwright@interact.ccsd.net
www.thewrightograph.com

Photography 1 is a year-long course on the history, ethics and processes of photographic

imaging including both film and digital formats. It is an elective class where students in the
9th-10th grade have the opportunity to experiment with photographic equipment, ideas, and
concepts to create images.
Course Description:

Photography 1 is the first course in the 3 year CTE Program of Study for Photography. It is a
multifaceted course designed for students to learn the elements and principles of visual
design, learn camera settings, understand exposure, and to explore Photography as a
career. This course will encourage an understanding of photography as an art form and as a
medium for documentation, communication, interpretation and expression. Students will
learn 35mm manual camera functions, B&W film processing, and darkroom printing
techniques.
Course Goals and Objectives:

Upon completion of this course each student will have acquired the skills necessary to
produce a photo worthy of exhibition in both analog and digital formats.
Course Goals (Nevada CTE Standards):

1.0 UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY, EVOLUTION, AND CURRENT TRENDS OF PHOTOGRAPHY

2.0 UNDERSTAND LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES RELATED TO PHOTOGRAPHY
3.0 IDENTIFY AND USE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CAMERAS AND SETTINGS
4.0 DEMONSTARTE PROPER EXPOSURE SETTINGS TO ACHIEVE DESIRED EFFECTS
5.0 UNDERSTAND THE ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
6.0 UNDERSTAND LIGHT SOURCES
7.0 IMPLEMENT DIGITAL WORKFLOW PROCESSES
8.0 DEMONSTRATE COMPETENCE IN PRESENTATION TECHNIQUES AND PORTFOLIO
DEVELOPMENT
The complete Nevada State Standards for Photography are available at:
http://cteae.nv.gov/Career_and_Technical_Education/Standards/

Required Equipment:
A 35mm SLR camera with adjustable shutter speeds and aperture. No certain brand is
required, as long as it has a manual setting, shutter adjustment, and aperture (f-stop)
adjustment. Recommended models are the Pentax K1000, the Vivitar V3800N, or any of the
newer Pentax models or Canon Rebels. Please check the calendar on the website for the
date the camera must be in class. Purchasing a new camera is not necessary. A good, used
camera can be found on eBay for around $60. Certified used cameras are available from
B&H Photo at www.bhphotovideo.com. New 35mm camera kits may be purchased from
www.freestylephoto.biz. Do NOT purchase a camera from a pawn shop!

MY CAMERA MUST BE IN CLASS BY:__________________________________________________________

Additionally, each student must have 2 fine tip black Sharpie markers, 1 pack of
notebook dividers, a 3-ring hard edge binder, and a USB storage device (flash drive)
with at least 2 gb of memory. Supplies will be stored in the classroom. *Neither the school
nor the instructor is responsible for lost or stolen supplies.
MY BINDER MUST BE IN CLASS BY:____________________________________________________________

There are a limited number of class cameras available for check-out to students who have
paid their course fee. Monday through Thursday, cameras are available for a 24 hour
check-out. On Friday students may check-out a camera for the weekend, but must return it
promptly on Monday morning. While it is possible to complete this course without owning
a camera, it is very challenging and requires a great deal of planning and self-discipline.
Students assume full financial responsibility for the camera while they have it checked out.
Materials/Lab Fee:

$40 fee payable in cash or money order at the school bank, or online through the school
web-store. Personal checks are not accepted. Students will not be allowed to use the
darkroom or supplies until this fee has been paid. Included in the course fee: required
notebook for daily use, 1 roll of 35mm film for every assignment, 1 box of 100 sheets of 5x7
photo paper, negative sleeves, mounting supplies, and all film chemistry and darkroom
chemistry. Students will have access to computers and editing software, in-class lighting
equipment, tripods, and digital cameras.
MY COURSE FEE IS DUE BY:_____________________________________________________________________

If the student should run out of materials before assignments are complete, the
student is responsible for the purchase of additional materials. Additional photo
paper and film may be purchased from the instructor.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
It is the students responsibility to have an SLR camera. Students are responsible for their
own supplies and materials. The students binder will be stored in the classroom on an
identified bookcase and supplies may be stored in a locker in the classroom, however the
instructor is in no way responsible for anything lost, broken, or stolen while unattended.
The student is responsible for keeping an organized binder/portfolio of his/her work
throughout the year.
The binder/portfolio will include:
1. All teacher handouts.
2. The Photo Notebook with all notes taken during lecture, films, and self-discovery
3. All worksheets
4. All graded photos, negatives, contact sheets, assignments, and tests.

This portfolio is a record of development throughout this course and will be reviewed
periodically at the teacher discretion.
Expectations:

Have an SLR camera in class on days specified.

Maintain a Photography notebook and write in it daily.
Maintain a Photography binder to contain all notes, handouts, and negatives. Binder
AND notebook are to remain in class at all times.
Be on time to class and be prepared to work.
Respect the property and work of other students. Do not move, touch, or disturb the
work of other students.
Respect the right of other students to work without disruption.
Respect the instructors right to teach without disruption.
Use class time wisely.
Complete assignments on time and meet all due dates.
Be a good human. Be honest. Be present.

Additionally, ALL students must join their class Edmodo group. Codes will be posted in the
classroom. MY GROUP CODE IS:____________________________
PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE

Initial discipline infraction will receive one warning. Additional infractions will warrant
sitting in The Naughty Chair, calls to parents or guardians, detentions, referrals to the dean,
and parent conferences, in that order. The exception will be actions by a student that
threaten the safety and well-being of the class. Those students will be removed
immediately.

CLASSROOM POLICIES:

Absolutely no CHEWING GUM in the classroom.

Absolutely no FOOD or DRINKS in the Photo Lab/Studio.
Be prepared, you will not be allowed to go to your lockers for materials.
NO CELL PHONES. State law prohibits the use of cellular phones on campus. Phones
may not be used for any reason in class. School policy concerning cell phones will be
followed.
School policy will be followed regarding tardy procedures.
It is the students responsibility to check the class website and, upon return to
school, the calendar at front of room.
Photography classes are built in a very flexible environment. Students are
responsible for their own actions and will be held accountable.
Detentions are held from 1:20-1:50 pm on Fridays. The student will be allowed one
reschedule the following Friday. No show will result in automatic Deans referral.
Detentions may be given for insubordination, darkroom misconduct, or ignoring
class rules.

General Rules:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Do not throw ANYTHING at any time!

Do not leave the classroom without permission!
Do not play games on the computers.
Students will return all items used to their appropriate place and will clean up their
work areas before leaving class.
5. In the event of a substitute teacher replacing Mrs. Wright, any student whose
behavior results in a report from the sub will be given an automatic detention.
6. Be a good human.

Attendance Policy:
Attendance is an essential part of the educational setting and lack thereof can seriously
affect your grade. Policy is consistent with the Clark County School District's attendance
policy and the Nevada Administrative Code.
Make-up Work/Homework:

Within three days after an absence, the student must contact the teacher regarding the
missed assignment. (CCSD Regulation 5113) Exception: Major assignments given more
than a week notification of the due date are due on the students return from an absence.
Any major assignment submitted after a due date may receive reduced credit.

Care of School Property: School equipment is for everyone. Any misuse or abuse of school
property will be treated as destruction of CCSD property. Students will be prosecuted.

PARTICIPATION:
Class Participation is part of your weekly grade.

The student is responsible for participating in every aspect of this course.

Come to class ready to actively participate, not to observe, but to experiment, develop, and
grow as a photographer. Additional work outside of class is required. Most photo
assignments will require you to shoot outside of class. You will not be allowed to take
photos during class instruction time. Take the initiative to go beyond my requirements. You
will get out of this course what you put into it.
Do more than the minimum; spend more than just class time on your work.
GRADING:

The student will be graded according to given specifications, effort and attitude, process
and final outcome. Each assignment will be graded A, B, C, D, or F. The grade will be a
judgment made by the instructor based on the 10 point rubric posted in class.
100-90 = A
89-80 = B
79-70 = C
69-60 = D
59-0 = F

Late assignments will have the grade dropped 10% for each day late.
Photo projects, class work, participation = 85% of Semester Grade
Semester/Final Exams = 15% of Semester Grade

Due to the importance of real-world deadlines, all work is to be handed in by the due
date.
CITIZENSHIP GRADES
1. Students will be given an "O" (excellent),"S" (satisfactory), or a "N" (unsatisfactory) for
each nine weeks grading period.
2. Those students who maintain and promote good classroom decorum will receive an "O"
in citizenship.
3. A student can earn a "U" by accumulating six (6) negative points per quarter for the
following infractions:
a. One for each tardy.
b. Disruptive behavior.
c. Use of improper or abusive language.
d. Behavioral referrals.

SAFETY:
Misuse of any equipment will not be tolerated. CCSD, Mrs. Wright, and GVHS are not
responsible for any physical, personal or property damages. All chemicals are EPA certified.
Student and parent are responsible for any and all damages incurred, whether physical or
proprietary.
SUPERVISION:
Under normal classroom situations, a staff member directly supervises students at ALL
times. In photography however, we have 3 different classroom/environments and one
teacher. These are:
1. Classroom 316 the main classroom

2. Darkroom 304A where the enlargers and printing chemistry are

3. Computer Lab/Film Lab 304- all of the studio space and film processing areas

Students may occasionally leave the classroom as part of the regular class assignments.
It is important that parents and students understand that a degree of trust is placed
directly upon each photography student to follow school rules and policies at all times,
including when they are outside of the classroom, on school property.
Any reports of misbehavior, by a student granted permission to perform photography
assignments outside the classroom could result in the loss of all darkroom and
photography privileges.

The student would then have to remain in the classroom at all times and would have to
complete all darkroom and photographic work outside of school facilities and class time.
If the rules of the classroom are not followed these are the resulting consequences:
1. Loss of Darkroom and/or Computer privileges
2. Detention
3. Referral to Dean (possible RPC/suspension)

Questionable Photographic Material will not be tolerated or accepted.

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Your child is enrolled in a photography class that will be working with potentially hazardous
chemicals, tools and equipment. Appropriate instruction in the proper use of all materials and
equipment is given. Every precaution is taken to prevent accidents. I am asking your cooperation
in expressing to your child the importance of being aware of materials and equipment used. If
any infraction or health issue arises it is imperative that the instructor is notified immediately of
the occurrence.
It is mandatory that students observe safety rules to protect themselves and others.
YOUR SIGNATURE BELOW INDICATES YOU AND YOUR CHILD HAVE
BEEN INFORMED OF THE RULES, PROCEDURES, EXPECTATIONS,
HEALTH ISSUES AND FEES PERTAINING TO THIS COURSE.
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN IMMEDIATELY.
____________________________________________________________
Photography I: Course Expectancy Approval
STUDENT NAME (please print):
____________________________________________________________
STUDENT SIGNATURE: ______________________________________
CLASS PERIOD: ___________________ DATE: ___________________
PARENT NAME (please print):
____________________________________________________________
PARENT SIGNATURE:
____________________________________________________________

Parent Phone ________________________________________________

Parent Email_________________________________________________

Additionally, by signing and returning this slip, the student agrees to participate fully
in this class by being present, on time, and turning in assignments. _________________
(Student initial here!)

Please return immediately! You cannot participate without the return of this
Permission Slip.

THIS FORM IS DUE BY:______________________________________________________________________