Introduction
- Page ID
- 231988
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Image Description: A still life photo of an old blue birdhouse with a green roof with the paint peeling off in front of a mint green vase of bleeding heart flowers with green leaves and branches with white flowers.
Photography has long been thought of as an accurate representation of the world. A tension, nonetheless, exists between photography as factual record and as constructed image. We will explore this tension in the introductory digital photography course. Students will learn the basic functions of digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras and how to use them to create photographic images. Completion of photography exercises helps students practice specific technical skills, and a presentation on a photographic artist provides the opportunity to learn information literacy skills. In other assignments, students explore the two different approaches to photography (taking versus making a photograph), hone their visual literacy skills, and consider how process and technique reflect conceptual ideas. The goal is to create images that exhibit a relationship between the concept and the formal elements of aesthetics.
After completing this course, a student will be able to:
- Explain briefly the early technical and artistic history of photography to better understand the "taking versus making” approaches to photography as an artistic medium.
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of manual camera controls and what they accomplish visually to create successful images.
- Apply basic retouching workflow as it applies to Camera RAW and Photoshop to improve photographs.
- Set up simple studio lights to create specific lighting effects in photographs.
- Exhibit technical skills and address elements of design to create successful photographic compositions.
- Begin to discuss photographs for their formal, aesthetic, and conceptual qualities to develop information and visual literacy skills.
Acknowledgement
We gratefully acknowledge the instructors of NIU’s ARTD 313 Beginning Photography course who have taught with this OER and shared valuable feedback, helping us ensure the resource remains current and continuously improves.
Drew Dzurko
Tonya Whitlock
About the Images in this Book
In addition to open and Creative Commons licensed images, several of the photographs featured in this book are the work of current and past students (listed below) in Northern Illinois University's photography program. By including their work, this book embodies the principles of open pedagogy, which invites students to participate in the teaching process and the co-creation of knowledge. Additionally, the collection will evolve over time, with new images from students being continually added. This ongoing inclusion not only keeps the book fresh and relevant but also provides a platform for students to share their creative endeavors with a broader audience.
Sasha Edwards
Mari Hernandez
Marla Johnstone
Aliya Noor
Shistine Peterson
Emma Vitallo
Jayla Watkins