Scott Miller's Photography Blog: 2013

This the class outline for my very first photography class. It was offered by the University of Hawaii
and the class met at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii on Thursdays from 6-10 PM.

SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS FOR PHOTO #207

FIRST WEEK, July 10, 1975
INTRODUCTION TO FACILITIES AND PROGRAM

Description of classes, facilities, requirements explained. Bring your cameras to class. Lecture on
camera use. Assignment explained.

ASSIGNMENT ONE: Seeing one subject from many different angels. The subject may be a
person, an object, or building that offers a variety of interesting interpretations as you change
your angle, lighting, and your relationship to the subject. The subject must NOT move, but
stay in one place. One Roll. Examples: A person reading a book; a building downtown; an
automobile; a phone booth; an animal (difficult)); a child (difficult) playing.
SECOND WEEK, July 17, 1975
TECHNIQUES OF DEVELOPING FILM, CONTACT PRINTS, ENLARGING

These techniques and darkroom procedure at Hickam explained and demonstrated. However, it is
hoped each student has already visited the darkroom, had his roll for Assignment One developed,
and hopefully has made a contact sheet to bring to class. Critique of negative and contacts.
Preparation of assignments, materials needed, other processes explained. Work in darkroom for all,
according to situation.

THIRD WEEK, July 24, 1975
BASIC APPROACH TO COMPOSITION AND DESIGN; DARKROOM TIME

Proof prints are stated and/or completed at this time on assignment one. Lecture on different
viewpoints, angles, composition an design given, Critique of proofs made. Slides shown which
emphasize design.

ASSIGNMENT TWO: Shapes that make a strong design , or pattern. Your subject matter
must be varied, not the same. Try to find strong shapes in nature, in a person, in a man-made
object; see patterns, textures that make strong compositions. Shoot at least one roll. This
assignment is started when you are satisfied with the first assignment. Shoot different subject
matter than first assignment.

FOURTH WEEK, July 31, 1975
STUDIO TIME FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION AND FINISHING WORK

Critique of all assignments. Assignment one handed in. Further discussion and demonstration on
composition and design. Cartier Bresson work shown; Eliot Porter work shown. First two hours only
for darkroom.

FIFTH WEEK, August 7, 1975
BASIC APPROACH TO LIGHTING

Critique on Assignment Two. Demonstration with lights in class. The importance of lighting in
creative photography. Slides shown, photos shown where lighting plays a dominant role. Different
kinds of lighting, high key, low key, flash, strobe, available , with examples shown.

ASSIGNMENT THREE: Photograph a scene or subject which you find where lighting plays
a dramatic role. Shadows, reflections, key lighting. No flash.

SIXTH WEEK, August 14, 1975
BASIC APPROACH TO PHOTOGRAPHING NATURE; DARKROOM

Critique of previous assignments. Assignment two finished and handed in. Lecture on landscape and
nature photography, with examples shown from the work of Ansel Adams, Weston, Elito Porter.
Some darkroom time. Filters.

ASSIGNMENT FOUR: Find a setting which you can photograph under different lighting
conditions at different times of the day. It can be a scenic, of an urban, rural, or beach setting;
a mountain, a view, a cluster of rocks. Apply some of the principles explained in the lecture.
Return to the place several times in order to see the changes made in lighting, mood, etc. Use
filters if necessary. This assignment can be done several times.

SEVENTH WEEK, August 21, 1975
AVAILABLE LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY EXERCISE: PUSH DEVELOPMENT, BRING
CAMERAS TO CLASS.

We use this time to demonstrate photographing people in an available light environment, using
ourselves and the people in other classes as subjects. Special developer demonstrated and used. Bring
a roll of Tri-X to class, and cameras. The result will be Assignment five.

Should the results be negative, you have another change to take pictures in available light, and
process them according to what you have learned. BUT DO NOT MISS THIS CLASS.

By this time, Assignment three should be turned in.

EIGHTH WEEK, August 28, 1975
BASIC APPROACH TO PHOTOGRAPHING PEOPLE

Critique of previous assignments. Two hours of darkroom time allowed as maximum. Lecture on
many types of photography of people: formal, candid, photo-journalism, press. Slide shows shown:
Sausalito, Kamp Swap Meet. If time, Brian Lanker.

NINTH WEEK, September 4, 1975
DARKROOM AND STUDIO TIME TO FINISH ALL ASSIGNMENTS.

Critique of four and five. Spotting done, Group evaluation of work if time. Darkroom and finishing
time so work finished and HANDED IN for grading. ABSOLUTE DEADLINE, for ALL
ASSIGNMENTS. I TAKE THEM HOME.

TENTH WEEK, September 11, 1975
GROUP EVALUATION, DISCUSSION, FIESTA. PERHAPS A FIELD TRIP. DURING
PREVIOUS SATURDAY IN PLACE OF THIS TIME IF GROUP IS CAUGHT UP.

Twelve hours of work outside of class night time is usually necessary for most beginning students.
Hopefully you do not miss a class, and that you can also come on Monday evening to do darkroom
work. Photography is a craft and art form that can only be learned through experience. Learn the
mechanics quickly and concentrate on what you want to say. Feel free to contact me at ***-****;
you must let me know if you cannot come. Three absences without permission means a withdrawal.
I grade according to effort and involvement with assignments. Enjoy yourself and experiment.

JACQUELINE PAUL