The course is divided in two fundamental parts:

The first one is devoted to the acquisition of the photographic technique, from its basics (cameras, shutter speed, aperture, lenses, exposure, films, digital sensors...) to specialised and professional expertise. Beside the use of the most common small-format cameras, the peculiar features of specific medium and large-sized equipment (view cameras) are analysed in detail. Also, the photography studio environment is studied, in order to become familiar with the equipment and develop set-shooting skills.

The second part focuses on the creation of an images portfolio, starting with the acquisition of those self-assessment skills that are necessary to the selection of the most representative images of individual authors and projects. This part is completed by competences in sequencing, narration through images, and layout that help creating an essential tool for the presentation of every photographer’s work.

The total CFA credits for this course are 4. The course includes the following didactic sections:

• PORTFOLIO

• PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNIQUES

Successful students will be able to:

• Use small, medium, and large format cameras with all their features, both analogue and digital

• Identify and use the most common photographic equipment

• Use the main photographic shooting software programmes

• Master the photographic technique in the main shooting settings, indoors and outdoors (landscape, architecture, fashion, still-life...)

• Take studio pictures, using the most common equipment and materials that are typically found in such environments (flash, backdrops...)

• Assess the own photographic work, selecting the most meaningful images in order to present it

• Create a sequence of images

• Create a photography portfolio

The course contents include in-depth study of the following topics:

• Photography technique: cameras

• Photography technique: lenses

• Photography technique: shooting in daylight

• Photography technique: flash

• Photography technique: view cameras

• Photography technique: stitching

• Main photographic shooting software programmes

• Photography studios

• Application of technique to contents: how to use technique to deliver a set of meanings (the own vision of the world)

• Fashion photography

• Still-life photography

• Portrait photography

• Portfolio: an essential tool to organise a photographer’s work and present it to curators, museums, galleries, clients.

This is a theoretical/project based course Throughout the course, the students will carry out didactic activities that are functional to achieving the learning goals, that in all modules may include:

• Classroom lectures

• Individual and group sessions of critical review (portfolio review)

• Technical practice

• Field trips

• Development of individual projects

• Individual study and research

• Use of tutorials, videos or other media tools for detailed study

The didactic sections that are part of the course will be assessed separately. The final grade will result from the weighted average of the didactic sections marks. The assessment will be based on:

• Oral exam

• Creation of a project (presentation of the portfolio)

• Assessed revisions or mid-term tests

Further details on specific tests can be provided by the professors during the course. Assessment criteria include commitment, active participation and personal growth of the students during the course.

• Adams, Ansel, Il negativo, Zanichelli, Bologna 1987.

• Adams, Ansel, La stampa, Zanichelli, Bologna 1988.

• Adams, Ansel, La fotocamera, Zanichelli, Bologna 1989.

• Adams, Robert, La bellezza in fotografia, Bollati Boringhieri, Torino 2012.

• Agamben, Giorgio, Che cos’è il contemporaneo?, Nottetempo, Milano 2008.

• Agamben, Giorgio, Infanzia e storia. Distruzione dell’esperienza e origine della storia, Einaudi, Torino 2001.

• Bataille, George, Lascaux. La nascita dell’arte, Abscondita, Milano 2017.

• Fromm, Erich, L’arte di ascoltare, Mondadori, Milano 1994.

• Kubler, George, La forma del tempo. La storia dell’arte e la storia delle cose, Einaudi, Torino 2002.

• McLuhan, Marshall, Capire i media. Gli strumenti del comunicare, Il Saggiatore, Milano 2011.

• Warburg, Aby, Il rituale del serpente, Adelphi, Milano 1998.

Further bibliographic recommendations may be provided by the professor during the course. A lot of the referenced material, together with other in-depth study material, can be consulted online in MyNaba, in the Library section.