Instructor Information
Instructor: Nicole Riso
Instructors E-mail Address: nriso@highline.edu
The best way to contact me for questions, for help or anything else is to talk to me before and/or after class, send me an email through this Canvas course and I will answer your question through email, or we can make an appointment to zoom.
Course Information
Department: ART
Item (Section) #: 16436
Class meets (days - times): Monday & Wednesday 12:45PM - 3:45PM
Class Meeting Location: 16-160
Course Text(s) and Other Required Materials
• REQUIRED TEXTBOOK: None
• Optional Textbook: Understanding Exposure 4th Edition by Bryan Peterson
• Digital camera (Phones acceptable) with appropriate memory card and USB cable or card reader
Course Description
This class will emphasize the steps to create interesting photos. Students will learn the fundamentals of exposure and composition, as well as the digital photography workflow using Adobe Lightroom.
Course Overview
More photos are taken each day than ever before. The wonderful thing about photography is that just about everyone can learn how to create more interesting photos using subject, light and composition.
This class will combine the technical (exposure, camera settings, and more) with the creative (composition, editing) to give each student the broadest set of ingredients to use in creating their own interesting photos.
Student Learning Outcomes
• Produce images that exhibit evidence of appropriate elements of exposure.
• Communicate effectively using appropriate vocabulary for discussing, evaluating and critiquing photographs.
• Execute proper basic digital photography workflow.
• Produce images that exhibit of the properties of light.
• Produce images that exhibit appropriate use of compositional elements
Course Prerequisites
None
How to Succeed in this Course (Expectations for Students)
One of the best ways to succeed in ART 147—or any class—is to consistently complete your work on time (or even early!). My biggest piece of advice: start assignments as soon as possible and aim to finish ahead of schedule. That buffer gives you flexibility when life happens—whether it’s family, work, or technical issues.
Another key to success in this class is asking questions and reaching out for help when you need it. If something in an assignment or video doesn’t make sense, chances are you’re not the only one wondering. By speaking up, you’re helping both yourself and your classmates. Email me anytime with questions, and feel free to stop by Zoom office hours as often as needed—I’m here to support you.
There will likely be times this quarter when unexpected situations come up—illness, work conflicts, family emergencies, or tech problems. If something is going to affect your ability to turn in an assignment on time, please email me before the due date. In most cases, I’ll extend your deadline by one class period. The more I know about what’s going on, the better I can work with you and offer support. A quick email (short or long!) explaining your situation and which assignment is impacted is all it takes.
Information about Our Course Assignments
There will not be a traditional final exam test in this class. Instead, on the designated final exam day there will be an alternate activity.
Grading and Related Policies
General College Grading Policy
● Only grades of a 0.7 or above will earn credit at Highline College. Below 0.7, the assigned grade is a 0.0.
Program Specific Grading Policies
● Any course used for credit in the AA and AS degrees must be a 1.0 or better.
Photo Assignment Grading
All photos submitted for grades must be taken by the student submitting the work. Any submitted photos not taken by the student will receive a grade of “0.”
All photos submitted for grades must include appropriate camera exposure data (automatically saved by the camera.) Any submitted photos missing this data will receive a grade of “0.”
All photos submitted must be taken within the date range specified in the assignment details. Any submitted photos outside the date range will receive a grade of “0.”
Subjects to AVOID in your photos for this class: 1) Any previously created art (whether by you or someone else), especially art that is hanging on a wall or purchased in a store. 2) Products (shoes, makeup, electronics, etc...) These subjects are difficult to create new, interesting art from without relatively sophisticated lighting and photography equipment.
Photography Assignment Grading
All photography assignments will be graded as either Complete or Incomplete, based on whether the assigned tasks were met. A Complete grade means you followed all instructions and submitted work that meets both the technical and artistic expectations. If required components are missing or incomplete, the assignment will be marked Incomplete and may need to be revised.
Each Complete assignment will be evaluated using the following breakdown:
TECHNICAL COMPONENT – 50%
This portion of the grade evaluates your ability to follow directions and meet the basic technical requirements:
• Assignment was submitted on time (late submissions receive partial credit)
• Photos are in focus and technically sharp
• Photos are sized to the correct dimensions and include photo metadata
• Final images are posted to Flickr in the correct album
ARTISTIC COMPONENT – 50%
This portion focuses on the creative and expressive quality of your work:
• Effective and intentional use of composition
• Creativity in subject choice, lighting, and perspective
• Thoughtful Lightroom edits that enhance the final image
• Resulting photo feels engaging, unique, and visually interesting
Grading Components and Weight:
Assignments – 85%
Attendance – 15%
Grading Timeline
All assignments will be graded and grades posted to Canvas within 7-10 days of their due date.
Additional Passing Grade Requirement
In order to receive a passing grade in ART 147, students must complete at least 6 of the 9 photography assignments.
Course Attendance/Tardiness and Participation Policy
Class attendance is required and expected. If you are aware of the need to miss a class before the class meets, please let me know, email (msladek@highline.edu) before the start of class on the day affected. Consistent late arrivals to class (more than 10 minutes) may result in a loss of points.
Assignment Deadlines and Policy on Missed Deadlines and Exams
All assignments for the week are due on Sunday, by 11:59 PM . Late work will be accepted until the last regular (non finals) week of classes, and will receive 10% point deduction.
If you have a circumstance (work, family, health, etc…) that will cause you to turn an assignment in after the scheduled due date, contact me BEFORE THE ORIGINAL DUE DATE via email (nriso@highline.edu) and briefly describe your situation and which assignment(s) are affected. Generally, I will grant you a one class period extension of the original due date, with no loss of points.
Academic Honesty
Students are expected to maintain a high standard of honesty in their academic work. Cheating and plagiarism are specifically prohibited under the college’s Student Rights and Responsibilities provisions.
Acts of cheating may include submitting for credit work that is not the student’s own, copying examination answers from fellow students or other sources or assisting other students in acts of these kinds.
Plagiarism, the presentation of another’s writing or ideas as one’s own, can take a number of forms - failing to cite sources, copying source texts or online sources without quotation, or inadequately paraphrasing or synthesizing source materials.
Students who are unsure of what might constitute plagiarism or cheating are encouraged to consult their instructors, class materials and other college resources for guidance.
Academic dishonesty of any kind will result in a grade of 0.0 on the assignment as well as a warning and possible disciplinary action from the college.
If I have reason to believe that you engaged in academic dishonesty, I may make a report to the Office of Student Conduct after speaking with you about the situation. Students who have more than one report of alleged academic dishonesty during their time at Highline College may be required to meet with a Conduct Officer for a student conduct hearing and have sanctions imposed. It is both your right and responsibility to be familiar with the document entitled Student Conduct Code WAC 1321-125.
Inclusivity Statement
Highline’s Art and Design Department supports an inclusive learning environment where diverse viewpoints are valued and respected. I am committed to ensuring students from all diverse backgrounds and perspectives are being well served by this course and that students' learning needs and wellbeing are being addressed both in and out of class. I will do my best to present materials and activities that are respectful of diversity: gender, sexuality, disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, and culture. Your suggestions are encouraged and appreciated. Please let me know ways to improve the effectiveness of the course for you personally or for other students or student groups. In addition, if any of our class meetings conflict with your religious events, please let me know so that we can make arrangements for you.
College Policies
For information on college policies on diversity, classroom behavior, incompletes, absences for religious reasons, student grievances, withdrawals, and emergency procedures please visit Highline College Procedures and Policies.
Access Services Statement:
Your experience in this class is important to me. If you have already established accommodations with Access Services, please communicate your approved accommodations to me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your needs in this course. If you have not yet established services through Access Services, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), you are welcome to contact Access Services at 206-592-3857, access@highline.edu or access.highline.edu. Access Services is located in building 99 suite 180.
Grievance Procedures:
I hope that you will communicate with me if you experience anything in this course that does not support an inclusive environment. You can also report any incidents you may witness or experience on campus through the following procedures:
● For instructional grievance process:
In the case of a complaint about a course, students are encouraged to speak with their instructor first, and if the matter is not resolved, students should then contact the division chair if the complaint is against a full-time faculty member, or with the department coordinator if the complaint is against a part-time faculty member. For more detail, see the procedure: http://catalog.highline.edu/content.php?catoid=2&navoid=33#Instructional_grievance
● For Title IX (claims related to discrimination and sexual harassment)
It is the policy of Highline College to provide equal opportunity in education and employment and not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or status as a veteran of war as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, RCW 49.60.030 and their implementing regulations. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment (unwelcome sexual conduct of various types). For more detail see the procedure: https://humanresources.highline.edu/faculty-and- staff/policies/title-ix/
Student Resources
The college offers many resources to support student achievement and success. These include Access Services, faculty advising, the Academic Success Centers (math, writing, and general tutoring), the college library, and technical support. For more detailed information on these services, please visit Highline College Resources for Students.
Grade Table
See below for a description of how the grading percentage total that you see on Canvas translates into the grade on the grade on the 4.0 scale that appears on your transcript.
A grades B grades C grades D grades F grades
>96% = 4.0 89% = 3.4 79% = 2.4 69% = 1.4 <61% = 0
94-95% = 3.9 88% = 3.3 78% = 2.3 68% = 1.3
93% = 3.8 87% = 3.2 77% = 2.2 67% = 1.2
92% = 3.7 86% = 3.1 76% = 2.1 66% = 1.1
91% = 3.6 85% = 3.0 75% = 2.0 65% = 1.0
90% = 3.5 84% = 2.9 74% = 1.9 64% = 0.9
83% = 2.8 73% = 1.8 63% = 0.8
82% = 2.7 72% = 1.7 62% = 0.7
81% = 2.6 71% = 1.6
80% = 2.5 70% = 1.5