PHOT 78C: DOCUMENTARY FIELD STUDY IN PHOTOGRAPHY
Foothill College Course Outline of Record
| Heading | Value |
|---|---|
| Effective Term: | Summer 2025 |
| Units: | 1 |
| Hours: | 1 lecture per week (12 total per quarter) |
| Advisory: | PHOT 5. |
| Degree & Credit Status: | Degree-Applicable Credit Course |
| Foothill GE: | Non-GE |
| Transferable: | CSU |
| Grade Type: | Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass) |
| Repeatability: | Not Repeatable |
Student Learning Outcomes
- Student will create a small group of photographs inspired by the technique or subject of a documentary photographer or research and write a short paper responding to the historical contribution of a documentary photographer.
- Student will explore and use a new photographic technique that improves his/her chances of success when photographing subjects in Òthe street.Ó
Description
Investigation of a specific aspect or topic of photography through discussion and demonstration by the instructor(s) in the field.
Course Objectives
The student will be able to:
- Gain in-depth understanding of documentary photography.
- Use the equipment or technique demonstrated.
- Apply techniques and approaches learned to other class assignments and related topics in photography.
- Recognize the contributions made in this field by people from diverse ethnicities, cultures, backgrounds, and identities.
Course Content
- Detailed explanation of documentary photography
- Historical examples and precedents drawn from diverse cultures and backgrounds
- Comprehensive demonstration of the uses of equipment
- Testing and/or experimentation by student, as appropriate
- Field sessions to use or demonstrate equipment, as appropriate
- Applications of equipment used and skills demonstrated
- Fine arts applications
- Guest lectures by visiting artists, as appropriate
- Field trips to appropriate documentary sites
- Practical use of equipment or technique demonstrated
- Availability and costs of equipment
- Risks associated with technique or equipment demonstrated
- Ethics of photographing persons in disadvantaged situations
Lab Content
Not applicable.
Special Facilities and/or Equipment
1. A lecture room equipped for viewing motion pictures, slides, and videotapes; computer with projection ability, access to still cameras, and other demonstration equipment as needed.
2. When taught via Foothill Global Access: on-going access to computer with email software and capabilities, email address, and access to learning management system.
2. When taught via Foothill Global Access: on-going access to computer with email software and capabilities, email address, and access to learning management system.
Method(s) of Evaluation
Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:
Quizzes and hands-on examinations, as appropriate
A written paper analyzing the topic is required as a summation of the course experience
Produce a set of photographs that demonstrate knowledge of the importance of the documented site, e.g., historical preservation, prevention of further health violations, preservation of the environment, etc.
Method(s) of Instruction
Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:
Lecture
Discussion
Field work
Electronic discussions/chat
Demonstration
Field trips
Representative Text(s) and Other Materials
Faculty-provided handouts and library reference materials, as needed.
Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments
- Reading of books on documentary photographers
- Written paper comparing styles and concerns of documentary photographers, e.g., Eugene Atget, E.J. Bellocq, Dorothea Lange, Sebastiao Salgado
- Lectures by documentary photographers
- Visit exhibitions by documentary photographers
- Visit online resources and websites of documentary photographers
- Post images to online blog or website for discussion and feedback
- Produce photographs that demonstrate competency with equipment and knowledge of the documentary issue(s) surrounding the people or site
Discipline(s)
Photography