Spring II 2010
PHOT 4190.01
© Bill Barrett 2010
Feedback (general opinions, problems, suggestions, etc.) on this hypersyllabus is encouraged! Bookmark this, but don't rely on printing it out. It is very likely that this page will be updated in the course of the semester.
Class description: Students learn the basics of managing their digital photographs though hardware and software solutions. The class moves from RAW capture through importing photos into an Adobe Photoshop Lightroom database, to consideration of metadata application and management, and to appropriate storage solutions.
Learning Outcomes:
We will be using the Macintosh computer platform in class, but students with Windows familiarity are welcome. Cross-platform questions are encouraged, and issues are addressed.
Class attendance is very important this course. Your participation and attendance are a large part of your grade -- make sure both are exceptional. If you miss more than one class, your grade will be affected. If you miss four class sessions, you cannot pass the course. Written assignments and class presentations must be completed on schedule.
How you're graded: Your final grade is based on your performance throughout the semester. Your attendance and active participation count for 30%; your work building your Lightroom database counts for 40%; your archiving solution counts for 10%; a final exam counts for 20%. Doing more than required can earn you extra credit; talk to me outside class if you're interested. This is what the grades mean....
Texts:
|
REQUIRED: Peter Krogh, The DAM Book: Digital Asset Management for Photographers The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Classroom in a Book RECOMMENDED: Robin Williams, The Little Mac Book Leopard Edition All are in paperback, and should be available at the Webster University Bookstore. |
 |
|
What we're doing and when:
Week 1 (3/15 & 17).
Introductions; What is your current workflow?; Why this course? If you don't
have a digital camera of your own, Nikon D50
and D80
cameras are available through the Media Center. Shooting RAW and the DNG
file format. (Read DAM Book chapter 1 for class on Wednesday, and chapters 2-4
for next week. Bring in at least 25 RAW images next week, preferably on your
portable hard drive.) Creating copyright metadata for your existing file archives. This is the page on File Transfer Protocol software with tutorials that I showed you. What is a needle in a haystack worth?
Week 2 (3/22 & 24). Metadata: EXIF, IPTC, XMP, keywords, ratings. Automatic metadata vs. adding it later. Introducing Adobe Photoshop Lightroom (current version is 2.6; version 3 is in beta.); together with, not instead of Adobe Photoshop; where they overlap, where they diverge; the role of Adobe Bridge in all this. Looking at the Lightroom modules. Why (and how) we start with the library.
Week 3 (3/29 & 31). Setting up Lightroom for yourself; customizing your import parameters.
Week 4 (4/5 & 7). The Lightroom library module, continued. Metadata continued: keywords and ratings. What to do with outtakes? Structuring your archives for future growth (and access)
Week 5 (4/12 & 14). The Lightroom develop module; devising a workflow that works. How the Lightroom import settings look in Photoshop's File Info. Looking at "Controlled Vocabulary" as a metadata organizer. Delkin Archival Gold DVDs with Scratch Armor are very good electronic media for offsite backup of photos. Developing a keyword strategy.
Week 6 (4/19 & 21). Lightroom's output modules: slideshow, print and web. How to optimize a Web site for search engines, how to analyze Web analytics data.
Week 7 (4/26 & 28). Planning for the future: hardware, software, and bank loans.
Week 8 (5/3). UPDATED Monday, 1-3 pm. Final exam.