Course Desc.

Working in Groups

Learning to work in groups is important. How this is done in my classes is:

that assignments are given - to:

• 1. join on-Line Users Group(s)

  2. ask a questions to a users group and share the answer you received

  3. or if you did not receive an answer, discuss why that could have been.

I also run my classes as if they are Users Groups - students help students, students teach other students, and if a student is really helpful, extra credit is given to that student.

Text Book

Scott Kelby, the man who changed the "digital darkroom" forever with his groundbreaking, #1 bestselling, award-winning book The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers, now tackles the most important side of digital photography--how to take pro-quality shots using the same tricks today's top digital pros use (and it's easier than you'd think).

This entire book is written with a brilliant premise, and here’s how Scott describes it: "If you and I were out on a shoot, and you asked me, 'Hey, how do I get this flower to be in focus, but I want the background out of focus?' I wouldn't stand there and give you a lecture about aperture, exposure, and depth of field. In real life, I'd just say, 'Get out your telephoto lens, set your f/stop to f/2.8, focus on the flower, and fire away.' You d say, 'OK,' and you'd get the shot. That's what this book is all about. A book of you and I shooting, and I answer the questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I've learned just like I would with a friend, without all the technical explanations and without all the techno-photo-speak."

This isn't a book of theory—it isn't full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts: this is a book of which button to push, which setting to use, when to use them, and nearly two hundred of the most closely guarded photographic "tricks of the trade" to get you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos with your digital camera every time you press the shutter button.

Here's another thing that makes this book different: each pagecovers just one trick, just one single concept that makes your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you'll learn another pro setting, another pro tool, another pro trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. There's never been a book like it, and if you're tired of taking shots that look "OK," and if you’re tired of looking in photography magazines and thinking, "Why don't my shots look like that?" then this is the book for you.

Synopsis

Scott Kelby, author of the groundbreaking bestseller “The Digital Photography Book, Vol. 1” is back with an entirely new book that picks up right where Vol. 1 left off. It’s more of that “Ah ha—so that’s how they do it,” straight-to-the-point, skip the techno jargon; packed with stuff you can really use today, that made Vol. 1 the world’s bestselling book on digital photography.

In Volume 2, Scott adds entirely new chapters packed with Plain English tips on using flash, shooting close up photography, travel photography, shooting people, and even how to build a studio from scratch, where he demystifies the process so anyone can start taking pro-quality portraits today! Plus, he's got full chapters on his most requested topics, including loads of tips for landscape photographers, wedding photographers, and there's an entire chapter devoted to sharing some of the pro's secrets for making your photos look more professional, no matter what you're shooting.

This book truly has a brilliant premise, and here’s how Scott describes it: “If you and I were out on a shoot, and you asked me, ‘When I use my flash, the background behind the person I’m shooting turns black. How do I fix that?’ I wouldn’t give you a lecture on flash ratios, or start a discussion on flash synchronization and rear curtain sync. I’d just say “Lower your shutter speed to 1/60 of a second. That should do it” Well, that’s what this book is all about: you and I out shooting where I answer questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I’ve learned just like I would with a friend—without all the technical explanations and techie photo speak.”

Each page covers a single concept on how to make your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you’ll learn another pro setting, tool, or trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. If you’re tired of taking shots that look “okay,” and if you’re tired of looking in photography magazines and thinking, “Why don’t my shots look like that?” then this is the book for you.

This isn’t a book of theory—full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts. This is a book on which button to push, which setting to use, and when to use it. With nearly another 200 of the most closely guarded photographic “tricks of the trade,” this book gets you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos every time.

Methods:

The course will consist of:

• 1. Weekly Overview, Discussion & Demonstrations

  2. Hands-on Activities/Practice Problems

  3. Weekly Reading, Research

  4. Weekly Updates to BlackBoard, Picasa Account & Google Web Site

  5. Final Project - printed or digital professional display of a topic or body of work agreed to by the Instructor and Student. This will include a Project Outline, and Completed Outline.

Evaluation Criteria:

Grades will be based on the following 100 point system = 100pts = A

• • • 70 Points = 5 points per week @ 14 Assignments Reasearch=2pts, B+A=3pts

    • 5 points for Project Outline

    • 25 points for Project

    • Extra Credit is assigned for CHAT participation & Additional Code Documentation/Research

Grading Criteria-Letter Grades with + and -, ex. A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, etc.:

A OUTSTANDING WORK- For any work to receive an A, it must clearly be exceptional or outstanding work. It must demonstrate keen insight and original thinking. It must not only demonstrate full understanding of the topic or issues addresses, but it must also provide a critical analysis of these. In addition, an A grade reflects a student's ability to clearly and thoughtfully articulate his or her learning.

B GOOD WORK- For any work to receive a B, it must be good to excellent work. It must demonstrate strong originality, comprehension, critical thinking, and attention to detail. In addition, a B grade reflects a student's ability to clearly articulate his or her learning.

C SATISFACTORY WORK- For any work to receive a C, it must meet the expectations of the assignment. It must demonstrate solid comprehension, critical thinking, and attention to detail. In addition, a C grade reflects a student's ability to adequately articulate his or her learning.

D MARGINAL PERFORMANCE For any work to receive a D, it must marginally meet the expectations of the assignment. It must demonstrate at least some comprehension, critical thinking, and attention to detail. In addition, a D grade may reflect a student's difficulty in articulation his or her learning.

F FAILURE Work that receives an F grade does not meet the expectations or objectives of the assignment. It demonstrates consistent problems with comprehension, organization, critical thinking, and supporting details. In addition, an F grade reflects a student's inability to articulate his or her learning. Students are strongly urged to discuss this grade with their instructor and advisor.

P PASS - Equivalent to D (+/-) or better and therefore course will not count as credit for specific program requirements or competence area requirements.

NP NO PASS Indicates failure to meet course objectives and/or failure to meet grading criteria for successful completion as described in the instructor's course description.

Attendance Policy:

The student is expected to attend every class. Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential components of a student's success in college and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. Each class will include in-class presentations and participatory activities, many of which will be difficult to make up. In the event of an emergency absence, the student must contact the instructor before the class. Active and faithful participation is a key to passing this course. Missing two classes will result in a final semester grade deduction. Missing more classes will result in difficulty in obtaining a good grade.

Faculty Contact Information-see faculity link for more detail:

Email Address: JilMac@Mac-Rand.com , Jil.MacMenamin@ccv.edu is accessed once/twice a week. Phone Calls are the fastest communication 802-254-8628 M-F 6am-8pm and S-S 8am-8pm, cell 802-451-8288 leave a detailed message and phone number.

Hiring Coordinator for this course: Debra Grant

Please note: In order to receive accommodations for disabilities in this course, students must make an appointment to see the Americans with Disabilities Coordinator in their site and bring documentation with them.

Academic Honesty: CCV has a commitment to honesty and excellence in academic work and expects the same from all students. Academic dishonesty, or cheating, can occur whenever you present -as your own work- something that you did not do. You can also be guilty of cheating if you help someone else cheat. Being unaware of what constitutes academic dishonesty (such as knowing what plagiarism is) does not absolve a student of the responsibility to be honest in his/her academic work. Academic dishonesty is taken very seriously and may lead to dismissal from the College.