This pathway is made up of two classes: 

1. Digital Photography 

2. Graphic Design (capstone.) 

This means that students must complete Digital Photography first, and Graphic Design second. Upon completion of both classes, students will receive A pathway completion certificate.

Digital Photography highlights the experience of the modern photography business from a deep dive into art theory, compositional studies, use of proper angles, lighting, editing, portfolio development, as well as personal branding and marketing strategies. We meet state standards as we progress through a series of project-driven modules that culminate with a broad portfolio of photographs, art-specific writing, and hands-on job experience. 

Digital Photography is broken up into 8 modules with several lessons embedded into each module to offer a comprehensive photography experience that will prepare students for whatever the modern workplace has to offer. 

Module 1 - The history of photography 

1. Art before photography: brief art history overview  -Debate: are photos “real life?” Write a response after the activity. Was your mind changed? What thoughts and ideas were new to you? 

2. Print making: how lithography led to photography. History of printmaking. -Create linocut image. 

3. The first cameras. Research what were the first cameras. Discuss Long exposure. - Create a camera obscura with a partner and take a photo of what the camera sees with your phone. 

4. Research the early photographers: -Take a photo in the style of the photographer you chose and write a short paragraph about who the photographer was and why you chose to take the photo the way you did. 

Module 2 - Composition

1. Rule of thirds - sketch proposal thumbnails and submit a vignette of 5 photos using this technique. You must take 2 landscapes, 2 object portraits, and one figure portrait. 

2. Golden Ratio - sketch proposal thumbnails and submit a vignette of 5 photos using this technique. You must take 2 landscapes, 2 object portraits, and one figure portrait. 

3. Birds eye view - sketch proposal thumbnails and submit a vignette of 4 photos using this technique. Two object portraits, and two figure portraits. 

4. Worm’s eye view sketch proposal thumbnails and submit a vignette of 4 photos using this technique. You must take 2 nature photos, 2 figure portraits. 

5. Gestalt Theory - sketch proposal thumbnails and submit a vignette of 5 photos using this technique. Submit 5 photos using any of the techniques shown. 

Module 3 - Elements of art 

1. Line - Take 5 landscape photos using leading lines/psychic lines, or framing with sharp contours - include artist statement. 

2. Shape - Shadow photos - create a vignette of 5 photos creating shape using shadows on the wall. These must include at least two organic shapes and two geometric shapes. Submit a proposal before, and include an artist statement.

3. Form - Shoot photos and create a vignette of 5 posed photos with dynamic lighting - include artist statement. 

4. Value - Vignette of two landscape, one object, and one figurative piece conveying deep mood with artificial lighting and strong mood. 

5. Texture - Vignette of close-up 5 Fabric or textile Photos. 

6. Color: Create a vignette of 5 photos using the opaque projector to project a color image over your subject. 

7. Space: organize installation with various still life elements and figures that creates deep space - both foreground, middle ground, and background. 

Module 4 - Principles of Design 

1. Contrast - Use local plants, leaves, grass, weeds to create 5 high contrast images that focus on texture and value. 

2. Pattern - find two organic patterns in nature and two geometric patterns and shoot dynamic photos of each. Submit 4 photos total. 

3. Rhythm - walking photos. Submit 5 photos in a vignette of someone moving as if they were comic book frames. These need to be consecutive and show clear and graceful motion. 

4. Movement and hierarchy - Use still objects found in the classroom or around the campus to create a still life that moves the viewers eye through the piece - certain pisces should make focal points above the rest. 

5. Variety and unity - take two photos that convey variety (many different objects that provide no real relation to each other) and two that convey unity (cohesive imagery where similarities can be found)  - submit the vignette of 4 photos. 

Module 5 - Subject Matter and expression 

1. Emotional portraits with artificial lighting in darkroom - submit vignette of 5 photos. 

2. Significant object photo - photograph an object and write a narrative about why this object is important to you. This should be very personal, and the item should be photographed in a way that conveys the mood of the narrative. 

3. Professional headshots for business profiles. 

Abstract photography - 

4. Vignette of 5 blurred photos telling a story in an abstract way 

5. Vignette of 5 Close up of wrinkles and hands. 

6. Vignette of 5 photos for close up eye photography 

Module 6 - Enhancements 

1. Blemish repair - students will be given a series of blemished photos and will be shown basic blemish repair techniques on photopea. They must repair the photos and submit them in a perfected state. 

2. Filtering - Students will be shown basic filtering techniques and will be asked to add filters to reach a desired result. 

3. Adding figures - Add a photo of yourself to a group photo 

4. Make the alien head assignment 

Module 7 - Media and Narrative 

1. Political Photography - create a news headline photo and a poem that expresses your thoughts on a particular political or moral issue. Include a written explanation of both pieces. Use editing to enhance the photos. 

2. Biographical Photography - You will be paired with another student. Use guiding questions to Interview the student and write two paragraphs that neatly compile the information into a biography. Take a photo that expresses the mood and tone of the person's story. Use editing to enhance and prepare the photo for the cover of the biography book. 

3. Narrative Photography/film stills - Write a one paragraph story that happened to you once. This story can be happy or sad. Begin by creating a series of thumbnails that visually walk you through the story like for a film. Recreate the story using a vignette of 5 photographs. In class you will present your narrative photos and students will guess what your story was. 

Module 8 - Portfolio 

1. Select 15 images that you felt were your strongest photos from the year. 

2. Compile these photos into a google drive folder portfolio. 

3. Create a video that introduces the body of work, as well as discusses stylistic choices for the pieces and your inspiration behind them. 

4. Come to class dressed up to present your work on the day of the finals. You will present your video, and walk the class through your body of work. 

5. The class will offer comments and critiques regarding the bodies of work. 

NOTE: Each module will make use of modern technology including Chromebooks, lighting equipment, DSLR cameras, lighting stands, telescopic lenses, and editing software such as Photoshop. We will have classroom visits from industry professionals regularly. Accommodations will be made to each lesson per IEP or student need. Lessons and pacing are subject to change at teachers discretion. 

SEE EXAMPLES OF STUDENTS WORK FROM EACH SECTION LOCATED IN THE FEATURED PHOTOS GALLERY UNDER THE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY DROPDOWN MENU!

To view modules, work samples, all assignments, pacing, and standards for Graphic Design, go to the "Graphic Design" tab found in the website menu.