Fall 2021
PHOT 1000.01
© Bill Barrett 2021
Feedback (general opinions, problems, suggestions, etc.) on this hypersyllabus is encouraged!
Class description: Students learn the basic black-and-white photographic skills and the technical aspects of camera operation, light-meter readings, film development, and enlarging, as well as shooting techniques and composition. The course focuses on the visual and communicative aspects of the medium. Access to a 35mm or 120 camera recommended, although not required.
Class attendance and participation is very important in this course. Supervised lab time during class is when you will learn most darkroom skills. Your participation and attendance are a large part of your grade -- make sure both are exceptional.
Course Learning Outcomes:
Recommended book: Henry Horenstein, Black and White Photography: A Basic Manual, Third Revised Edition It is in paperback, and should not be difficult to find used copies. |
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How you're graded: Your final grade is based on your performance throughout the semester. Your portfolio counts for 25%; attendance and active participation count for 30%; your periodic assignments count for 40%; in-class quizzes count for 5%. Doing more than required can earn you extra credit; talk to me outside class if you're interested. This is what the grades mean.
REMINDER: Follow Health and Safety Guidelines!
What we're doing and when:
Week 1 (8/24 & 26). Introductions. Some general concepts of how photography works. Light sensitive material, light itself, the idea of the camera. Shutter speed and aperture and their relationship, and how point-and-shoot cameras work. Loading the camera and taking pictures using a "paper light meter." (Assignment 1: For next week, you must bring an exposed roll of Ilford HP-5 Plus, 36 exposures, as detailed in class. Topic: "This Is Me." We will have a group critique of the prints from this assignment on Tuesday of week 6.)
Thinking of taking a picture of yourself or your friends on the train tracks? Very bad idea.
You are free to use your own 35mm camera, provided it is fully adjustable. Nikon F3 cameras 
are available for checkout in the darkroom. (The user manual is available online.)
All the supplies you will need are available at Schiller's, 9240 Manchester Rd., St. Louis, MO 63144, tel. (314) 968-3650. Ray Kersting is our representative, so if you ask for him, he'll be very helpful.
Photo 1 Student supplies Spring 2019
10-Rolls Ilford HP5+, 36 exposures
Ilford Multigrade DLX 8x10 Glossy (100 sheets)
Printfile 35-7B negative pages (package of 25) *I will supply pages as long as I still have some.
Canned Air
"How Film is Made" (Dutch, with English subtitles)
1958 Kodak documentary
Here is a video on how to load and unload the Nikon F3 (the 35mm film camera that you can checkout from the darkroom.)
You are encouraged to checkout equipment using the WebCheckout link. You will find it in Connections; click on the picture "Students" and find it as the second item under Technology. If you have trouble with the link, call the Media Center at 314-246-6979. It is located in the Sverdrup Building on the ground floor at the east end of the building, the only area set back with no doors.
This little guide might save you someday.
Week 2 (8/31 & 9/2). We will to develop film in the darkroom in staggered groups. We will organizer the groups in Tuesday's class.
Introduction to film development. Be sure to bring your film from Assignment 1 to develop.
Chemistry and cautions; safety orientation (here's info if you are or think you might be pregnant); the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). The procedures of developing film, and we develop the film you exposed since last class. (For next week, you must bring an unopened package of photographic paper from among the choices discussed in class.)
A look at the center core of the reels we use.
This video is a good demonstration of how to load a stainless steel film developing reel and light tight tank using the reels we have. (This is a demo of three other kinds of steel reels you could possibly encounter, different only in their center cores.) Be sure you practice in the daylight before you load your actual film! There is "practice film" available in the photo cage, where you also checkout the reels and tank. These days the film is usually not taped to the spool but mechanically attached, but you would still cut it off the spool. If you do encounter tape, be certain it's off the film completely, or it can come off in the chemistry and land on a picture!
Develop your film step by step
Ilford developer chart with times
From this point forward, you will develop your own film outside of class. The darkroom is open almost every weekday, but it's also smart to call and make sure another class doesn't have it reserved, especially if you're coming from a distance.
Thursday: I am the darkroom, SV 143 during our class time to help anyone load reels and develop film. See the schedule in WorldClassroom for when you should come.
Week 3 (9/7 & 9). Tuesday: I am in the darkroom, SV 143 during our class time to help anyone load reels and develop film. If you had trouble on Thursday, here is another chance. NOTE we can only work two at a time. PLEASE tell me if you want to come and I will build a schedule for two at a time in WorldClassroom. If you just show up, you may have to wait.
David Hume Kennerly, from Ford White House
Basics of the enlarger and timer. Introduction to making prints. The contact sheet and why we really need it. The proper way to expose and develop photographic paper. Making test prints. (Assignment 2, due in 4 weeks. Topic: "Patterns of light and dark.")
This is the layout of the chemical trays you will find in out darkroom. Processing goes from left to right, developer to wash.
Week 4 (9/14 & 16). Making contact sheets and first enlargements. I am in the darkroom to help. It is strongly recommended that you reserve a space, although if you come by without a reservation you can print if there is room.
Week 5 (9/21 & 23). Tuesday: I am in the darkroom to help. It is strongly recommended that you reserve a space, although if you come by without a reservation you can print if there is room.
Paper contrasts, filters, and variable contrast printing. Depth of field.
For Tuesday next week, bring a 10"x12" piece of cardboard and a 12" piece of stiff wire.
Week 6 (2/16 & 18). Tuesday: Dodging and burning.
Thursday: I am in the darkroom to help. It is strongly recommended that you reserve a space in the Discussions tab in WorldClassroom, although if you come by without a reservation you can print if there is room.
Assignment 3, due the week after break. Topic: "A Moving Image."
Week 7 (2/23 & 25). Tuesday: Critique of Assignment 1. Meet in SV 262. Respecting the maximum number allowed in a room, hang your work on the pinnable walls for critique, and look at each others' work in both room. Maintain appropriate distancing. Introduction to burning and dodging.
Thursday:I am in the darkroom to help. It is strongly recommended that you reserve a space, although if you come by without a reservation you can print if there is room..
For next Tuesday, bring at least three examples of photographs
you really like. It can be from a book, magazine, or any other source. Have digital copies ready so you can share your screen on Zoom.
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| Ansel Adams' contact print from his large format negative | The same image, burned to interpret the photograph |
Week 8 (3/2 & 4). Assignment 4, due in 3 weeks. Topic: "Time for a Change.")
Fall Break
Week 9 (3/16 & 18). Tuesday: Critique of Assignment 2 in SV 262.
Thursday: Looking at photographs: what's the work you admire? Show us 3 black & white photos that inspire you. Make sure they are from acknowledged, established photographers (not some Instagram feed you found). Hint: Most photo books in the library are cataloged starting with TR. Go look. You can't go wrong there.
Week 10 (3/23 & 25). Tuesday: Supervised darkroom time. I am there to help. It is strongly recommended that you reserve a space, although if you come by without a reservation you can print if there is room.
Thursday: Critique of Assignment 3 in SV 262. The light meter. Burning and dodging, continued. Review of the interaction of film speed, shutter speed and aperture. Depth of field and hyperfocal distance.
(Assignment 5, due in 3 weeks. Topic: "The Neighborhood.")
Week 11 (3/30 & 4/1). Tuesday: Supervised darkroom time. I am there to help. It is strongly recommended that you reserve a space, although if you come by without a reservation you can print if there is room.
Thursday:
Critique of Assignment 4 in SV 262.
Filters for black & white photography.
Week 12 (4/6 & 8). Supervised darkroom time. I am there to help. It is strongly recommended that you reserve a space, although if you come by without a reservation you can print if there is room.
Thursday: Critique of instructor's photographs in SV 262. (Assignment 6, due in 2 weeks. Topic: "Seeing the Light.")
Week 13 (4/13 & 15). Supervised darkroom time. I am there to help. It is strongly recommended that you reserve a space, although if you come by without a reservation you can print if there is room.
Thursday: Critique of Assignment 5 in SV 262.Lenses and optics, and
how they change how we see (including wide angles and telephotos).
Week 14 (4/20 & 22). Supervised darkroom time. I am there to help. It is strongly recommended that you reserve a space, although if you come by without a reservation you can print if there is room.
Thursday:
Critique of Assignment 6 in SV 262.
Week 15 (4/27 & 29). Print presentation: dry mounting. Print presentation: spotting.
Week 16 (54). Final Exam 8-10 am on Tuesday. (To be confirmed.) Final group critique. All work must be presented in its finished, final form. (NB: When you make your end of semester travel plans, be sure you're here for this critically important class!)
