CIIT COLLEGE OF ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY

PHOTO SPECIALIST
COURSE SYLLABUS
SUBJECT TITLE: Photography Specialist
DURATION: 10 Weeks / 4 hrs per week

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The course introduces the concepts and body of knowledge that forms the foundation for
the practice of photography. It will lay the groundwork for a study and/or career in the
field of photography, wherein lessons learned in the classroom may be utilized in
everyday situations. The course will require a review of the principles of basic
photography to ensure a smooth transition to the technicalities involved in advanced
photography.This course is designed for students who have some knowledge and
understanding in the basics of photography and are willing to learn the concepts and
foundations of advanced photographic lighting.

The course will focus mainly on the fundamentals and technical aspects of photographic
lighting. Lectures will be given highlighting different, but specific lighting set-ups.
Assignments will be given to familiarize students in addressing different lighting
configurations for different subject set-ups.

OBJECTIVES / VALUES:

At the end of the course, the students should understand and know the proper use and
handling of different photographic equipment, more specifically studio lights, how to
assemble and set them up to create different lighting configurations targetted at specific
photographic concepts. Students should be able to create basic concepts for specific
photo assignments and execute them with technical proficiency.

COURSE CONTENT AND SCHEDULE:

Week 1 Introductions. Orientation of course based on syllabus. Familiarization of

camera equipment and fundamentals of the different parts and uses. Short
review on the principles of Basic Photography

Lecture: - Types of digital cameras (formats)

- The digital SLR camera system (parts/functions)
 Asgnmnt: - Equipment familiarization. Shoot random subjects trying to
achieve correct exposures. To be submitted and discussed
next meeting
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Week 2 Lecture: Discuss EXPOSURE, and the factors that affect it. Review
Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO, how and why is it manipulated
and its effect on the final image

Shoot: Identify and shoot objects that fulfill the principles that govern the
use of Aperture, Shutter speed and ISO

Assgnmnt: Shoot several examples that show specific application of

Aperture and Shutter speed

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Week 3 Lecture: - Discuss Natural or ambient Lighting and its effect on

photography, especially on Still-life and Portraiture

Shoot: - Practice shooting a still-life and a portrait set-up under natural

or ambient lighting conditions

Asgnmnt: - Create and shoot a still-life and portrait set-up under different
lighting directionalities.
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Week 4 Lecture: - Discuss Studio or artificial Lighting equipment and its use in
different photographic set-ups.
- Explain the different qualities of lighting and how to achieve
them using different light-modifiers.

Shoot: - Shoot product and portrait set-ups using a variety of studio

lighting configurations

Asgnmnt: - Create and shoot a product and portrait set-up using studio
lights in different lighting configurations

______________________________________________________________________

Week 5 Lecture : - Introduce the Principles of Basic Design and Composition and
its application in photography

Shoot: - Go around the campus/building and shoot subjects that

contain or fulfill the principles of Design and Composition
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Week 6 Photowalk: - Review Principles of Exposure and Basics of Design and

Composition to apply them in a whole day photowalk.
(Eqv. 2 meetings)

Shoot: - Shoot subjects on and around the photowalk venue, taking

particular attention to composition and lighting.

Asgnmnt: - Compile all materials shot in the photowalk for possible

inclusion in the portfolio.
______________________________________________________________________

Week 7 Lecture: - Discuss how lighting quality and directionality can be used to
hide or enhance subject details. Explain how lighting
can show form, shape and texture in any photographic
subject.

Shoot: - Create a set-up, using any subject element that's entirely

black and another set-up that's entirely white, and
achieve separation between subject and background.

Asgnmnt: - Continue shooting until successful.

______________________________________________________________________

Week 8 Lecture: - Discuss the intricacies involved in doing a Fashion shoot.

Explain lighting and posing techniques.

Shoot: - Bring a model and create a fashion concept with all necessary
props and materials and shoot the whole set-up.

Asgnmnt: - Continue shooting doing different variations of the concept.

______________________________________________________________________

Week 9 Lecture: - Discuss how to go about conceptualizing a portrait set-up.

Identify all elements involved in the concept.
Assembling all the props and materials needed in the
concept.

Shoot: - Create the set-up and shoot a Conceptual Self-Portrait, taking

special attention to lighting techniques.

Asgnmnt: - Continue with the shoot either at individual homes or in a

studio in school or outside.
______________________________________________________________________

Week 10 Last Day: - Open Forum: Open discussion on all the subjects taken up
 in the course. Review on all assignments undertaken by the
students with emphasis on conceptualization and
lighting

Asgnmnt: - Compile and assemble all assigned photo outputs in a clear

book and submit as individual portfolios.
______________________________________________________________________

TEACHING METHODS AND STRATEGIES:

The students should learn, through a series of lectures, slide-shows and actual hands-on
, practical shooting assignments, the technicalities and aesthetics of photography. They
will learn the proper approach to different genres of photography, like Still-lifes,
Portraiture, Product set-ups and advertising and help raise their photography to the next
level. This knowledge and experience can then be used by the students to help create
their own individual style and creativity.

Designed and revised by :

Edwin Celestino
Faculty : CIIT-College of Arts and Technology
July, 2016