Syllabus#
Instructor: Adam Simms
Teaching Assistant: Eve Marie Vitalité
Concordia University is located on unceded Indigenous lands. The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation is recognized as the custodians of the lands and waters on which we gather today. Tiohtià:ke/Montréal is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations. Today, it is home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples. We respect the continued connections with the past, present and future in our ongoing relationships with Indigenous and other peoples within the Montreal community.
This territorial acknowledgement and resources were created by Concordia University’s Indigenous Directions Leadership Group (2017).
For more information, refer to native land and whose land.
Prerequisites#
PHOT 210; PHOT 221 previously or concurrently; and enrolment in the Major in Photography, or written permission of the program director.
Course Description#
An introductory studio course investigating the technical and creative aspects of digital photography. This course provides students with an understanding of the digital image and a practical application of the tools within their personal approach to photography. Students explore the production of digital photographs, emphasizing the manipulation of images with software and the preparation for different formats. Issues related to the use of digital imagery within the larger context of photography are explored.
Students who have received credit for this topic under a PHOT 498 number may not take this course for credit.
Overview#
This course will establish the fundamental components of digital darkroom workflows. Building on prior analog experiences, students will develop technical proficiency with digital tools and processes, integrating them into their artistic practice. Early in the semester, students will explore essential concepts such as file formats, resolution, channels, and color management. Workshops will offer hands-on experience with flatbed and film scanners, RAW file processing, and image editing using Adobe Photoshop.
Assignments and lectures will focus on cultivating critical visual analysis, problem-solving skills, and technical expertise. Through small exercises, students will learn to evaluate their images, identify areas for improvement, and make effective corrections. In the latter half of the course, students will apply advanced digital manipulation techniques to a small creative project, refining their aesthetic sensibilities and artistic vision.
In addition to technical training, students will engage with readings, discussions, and portfolios of contemporary artists to explore the broader implications of digital imagery. These activities will encourage thoughtful consideration of digital photography’s aesthetic, conceptual, and cultural possibilities. By the end of the course, students will have a strong technical foundation, enhanced critical thinking skills, and a refined approach to their creative practice.
Objectives#
- Support student’s production in their studio classes (PHOT 300, PHOT 400 or Special Topics in Photography).
- Acquire the technical skills required to control analog and digital image inputs.
- Learn the software skills to formally correct digital images.
- Prepare digital images for a variety of outputs.
- Establish a proficient digital workflow to support production-based practices.
- Develop critical visual analysis and problem-solving skills to diagnose and resolve technically challenging images.
Materials & Fees#
Photography department fee: All students must pay $60 for each 3-credit course. Please pay online via Concordia Fine Arts fees and email the receipt to the teaching assistant by Week 4. The names of students who have yet to pay by this date are given to the technicians, and students will only be able to access the labs or borrow equipment once the fees are paid.
Students must bear the cost of all photographic materials needed to complete their assignments.
Suggested Materials#
- Access to MAC or PC computer
- Adobe Creative Cloud: Photoshop and Bridge
- Colour calibration tools
- Monitor calibration: X-Rite Colorimeter or Datacolor Spyder
- Color Checker Chart
- Access to digital camera with memory card
- Access to film camera and film
- Anti-static cloth
- Gloves
- Scissors
- External hard drive (Recommended: Lacie Rugged Mobile Storage)
- Cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.)
- CDA storage (10GB)
- Storage boxes and/or tubes for negatives and prints
Grading#
| Component | Weight |
|---|---|
| Assignment #1 | 30% |
| Assignment #2 | 30% |
| Assignment #3 | 30% |
| Attendance & participation | 10% |
Grading System#
A+, A, A-: Outstanding — Work surpasses expectations. Highly resolved conceptually and technically.
B+, B, B-: Very Good — Above average completion and participation.
C+, C, C-: Satisfactory — Minimal completion of assignments and projects.
D+, D, D-: Marginal Pass — Work is completed, with little effort or personal investment.
F: Poor/Failure — Work is incomplete and/or unsatisfactory.
A+ 90–100 · A 85–89 · A- 80–84
B+ 77–79 · B 73–76 · B- 70–72
C+ 67–69 · C 63–66 · C- 60–62
D+ 57–59 · D 53–56 · D- 50–52
F 0–49
Please refer to the Concordia Academic Calendar, section 16.3.3 for additional information on the grading system.
Schedule#
Time: Wednesdays, 8:30 AM–12:30 PM
Location: EV 5.709 SGW unless otherwise noted.
Please note that the following schedule is subject to change.
Week 1 (EV 5.709) — January 15#
- Introductions
- Review course outline
- Welcome survey
- Introduction to digital photography, digital cameras, and Adobe Photoshop
- Overview of the digital photography workflow
- Shooting digital
- Image management (DAM)
Week 2 (EV 5.709) — January 22#
- Colour management: colour spaces, profiles, and calibration
- From analog to digital
- Flatbed and Imacon scanning
- Working with scanned images
Week 3 (Remote) — January 29#
- RAW conversion workflow
- Getting comfortable with Adobe Photoshop: histogram, cropping, smart objects, organizing layers, etc.
- Basic image correction: tools, levels, curves, and channels
- Assignment #1 overview
Week 4 (EV 5.709) — February 5#
- Image correction techniques: selections, masks, repairing, etc.
- Printing workflow
- Class discussion on reading #1: The Digital Divide by Claire Bishop
Course fees due. Please email receipt to the teaching assistant.
Week 5 (EV 4.709) — February 12#
- Printing workflow
- Printer demo
- Assignment #2 overview
Assignment #1 due.
Week 6 (EV 5.709) — February 19#
- Printing studio time
Week 7 — Reading Week (No Class) — February 26#
Week 8 (EV 5.709) — March 5#
- Workflows for consistency across a series of images
- Photoshop AI and image generation
- Composite images
- Lecture on contemporary artist using composite images
- Assignment #3 overview
Assignment #2 due.
Week 9 (EV 5.709) — March 12#
- Composite images
- File sizing & resolution, upsampling, noise reduction, etc.
- Extending Photoshop: actions, plugins, etc.
- Large format printing demo (Photography majors)
Week 10 (EV 5.709) — March 19#
- Preparing files for various outputs: web, projectors, etc.
- Individual meetings
- Free studio time
Week 11 (EV 5.709) — March 26#
- Digital asset management (DAM) Part II
- Class discussion on reading #2: In Defense of the Poor Image by Hito Steyerl
- Individual meetings
- Free studio time
Week 12 (EV 3.635) — April 2#
- Final presentations and critiques: Group A
Assignment #3 due during your presentation.
Week 13 (EV 3.635) — April 9#
- Final presentations and critiques: Group B
Assignment #3 due during your presentation.
Other Important Dates#
- January 27, 2025 — Deadline for withdrawal with tuition refund (DNE) from fall-term and two-term courses
- April 12, 2025 — Deadline for academic withdrawal (DISC) from winter term courses
Assignments#
- Inputs
- Printing
- Composite Triptych