5561/5562 INTRO: DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Full Year Grades 9 – 12
Minimum Prerequisites: None.
Photography is more present than ever in our world today with social media and a camera most often available at our fingertips with new technology developing daily. Most individuals are capable of taking an average photo and looking at a photograph and determining whether or not they "like it". However, trying to then explain why it's a "good" photograph requires disciplined and thoughtful observations, as well as precise and descriptive language, and often serves as a more complex challenge for most people.
This beginner’s digital photography course will help students understand what makes certain photographs look better than others and how to take photographs above "average". Students will learn and explore the Elements and Principles of Design as they relate to Photography in order to use these tools and new language to create and analyze photographs.
Students will also learn about the history of photography and will be introduced to a number of important artists and artworks. Students will also be introduced to careers in the field of photography including: nature photography, commercial photography, fashion photography, sports photography, portraiture and event photography, and photojournalism. By the end of this course, students will have designed and constructed a digital portfolio of their photography, which will showcase their photography assignments and allow them to observe and track their learning.
5121/5152 DIGITAL JOURNALISM AND YEARBOOK
Full Year Grades 11 – 12
Minimum Prerequisites: None.
Digital Journalism and Yearbook is an elective year-long course designed to build upon and utilize 21st century skills to integrate journalism with technology, students will produce a yearbook and a quarterly digital magazine that is a reflection of the diverse student population and the collective memories of the school. Students will expand upon and develop skills to use computer programs to design advanced layouts; to take and edit digital photography; to write and edit copy to journalistic standards; to interview others; and to explore careers in the publishing and journalism fields. Students will simultaneously apply their continued learning of design and journalism to contributions in the school’s quarterly digital magazine. To support the expansion of their knowledge base in these areas, students will analyze, evaluate, and critique the design aesthetic and structure of historic and current professional publications, as well as their impact on history, society, and culture. Each unit is designed to promote the development and appreciation of the artistic medium of digital design and publishing from structural, historical, cultural, and aesthetic perspectives.