Course Catalogue

Module Code and Title:        CMS102 Storytelling through photography

Programme:                          BA in Communication Arts and Creative media

Credit:                                    12

Module Tutor:                       Nithil Dennis (Coordinator), Jigme Gyeltshen

General objective: This module aims to introduce students to visuals as a key form of communication, especially through photography, with an emphasis on light, design, colour and composition. Students will get hands-on experience with digital cameras to take photographs using their knowledge gained on visual concepts and photographic technique. 

Learning outcomes – On completion of this module, students will be able to:

  1. Explain the needs and uses of technological features on the camera
  2. Interpret Iconic images in within the context of historic relevance
  3. Communicate the content and context of their work visually, orally and in writing
  4. Identify and describe parts of a camera and their functions
  5. Use a range of digital cameras from basic mobile cameras to a digital SLR (at a beginner level)
  6. Compose effective visuals through proper application of composition theory and good camera techniques
  7. Create traditional, environmental, candid, conceptual, and portrait photographs
  8. Articulate artistry by creating images that evoke an emotional response
  9. Apply the mechanics of exposure to control light and influence the final product.

Learning and Teaching Approach:

Type

Approach

Hours per week

Total credit hours

Contact

Lectures

2

60

Classroom demonstrations

2

Independent study

Written assignments

1

60

Shooting for projects

3

Total

120

Assessment Approach:

  1. Photo Analysis- Individual: 10% 

For this assignment, the students will individually analyse an iconic photograph (not painting, video, or other media) related to world history, and write a reflective article of 500 words. The students will analyse it with the following guidelines in mind – Historical context, setting or the scene, the elements in the photograph, the emotions evoked and how that image shapes human thought process. The submission will be done through VLE. 

2          Objective

3          Knowledge

3          Interpretation

2          Historical Context

  1. Individual portfolio 1: 15% 

Students will take one photograph based on the following themes. The photographs should bear the evidence of the themes clearly:

Colour, Shape, Up-Close (Daily use object), Reflections, Shadows

The criteria for evaluation are:

2          Creativity

2          Mechanics

2          Originality

3          Visual Expression

3          Craftsmanship

3          Organization

  1. Individual portfolio 2: 15%

Students will create 3 different photo series based on the criteria given below.

Series 1: It will comprise of 5 images based on the use of aperture to manipulate/adjust the depth of field.

Series 2: It will comprise of 5 images based on the use of Shutter speed to control motion.

Series 3: It will comprise of 5 images based on the impact of ISO on the image. 

3          Exposure 

3          Contrast

4          Technique

2          Colour and value

3          Use of light

  1. Individual portfolio 3: 15%      

Students will choose any 4-composition rule, 3 elements of art and 3 principles of design to create one representation photograph for each and submit. 

5          Accuracy

3          Photographic qualities

4          Creativity

3          Concept 

  1. Class Test: 10%

Students will take a written test within the term to demonstrate their theoretical knowledge of concepts that were discussed in class.

  1. Photography series Assignment- Individual: 20% 

Students will identify a unique story (Ethnographic community, character, profession, contemporary issue, art, culture or profession based locally in Bhutan and submit 10 images based on the story. They will also submit a 200-word story of the subject along with their submission. This is an individual assignment.

5          Accuracy

4          Writing

5          Visual Storytelling

6          Presentation

  1. Photo Exhibition- Individual: 15%

This is an individual assignment. The students will curate an exhibition on the photography story series they have done in the previous assignment. They will include 10 images for the exhibition. The work should be original and displayed creatively in the space provided for the student in the campus. The students will write an introductory statement that outlines the idea that animates their exhibition. This will help guide the viewer and establish how the work fits into the exhibition.

5          Photo Composition

3          Storytelling 

4          Props & Creativity 

3          Original and creative response 

Overview of assessment approaches and weighting

Areas of assignments

Quantity

Weighting
  1. Photo Analysis - Individual

1

10%
  1. Individual Portfolio 1

1

15%
  1. Individual Portfolio 2

1

15%
  1. Individual Portfolio 3 

1

15%
  1. Class Test

1

10%
  1. Photography Series - Individual

1

20%
  1. Photo Exhibition - Individual

1

15%

Total Continuous Assessment (CA)

 

100%

Pre-requisites: None

Subject matter:

  1. Unit I: Introduction to photography
    1. Brief History of Photography
    2. Photography as science & art – Definition of Photography
    3. Power of the photographic visual
    4. Photo Analysis – History, context, content, impact and meanings
      1. Iconic photographs
    5. Masters in photography – Styles & formats
      1. Joseph Nicéphore Niépce
      2. Louis Daguerre
      3. Henry Cartier Bresson
      4. Dorothea Lange
      5. Ansel Adams
      6. Steve Mc Curry
      7. Yeshey Dorji
      8. Phup Dorji
      9. Chubzang Tangbi
      10. Pawo Chowning Dorji
      11. Jigme Thinley
    6. Photographic Genres
  2. Unit II: Fundamentals of camera
    1. Types of cameras – Large format, Medium format, 35mm, Digital – Full frame and Crop frame
    2. Parts of a DSLR camera
    3. Light & Photography – Physics of light, Reflection, refraction and absorbtion
    4. Exposure Triangle – Over exposure, Correct exposure and underexposure
      1. Aperture – Depth of field and exposure
      2. Shutter – Motion and exposure
      3. ISO (Sensitivity) – Digital Noise 
    5. Lenses
      1. Focal Length – Perspective changes and angle of view, Focal length and its impact on the image
      2. Types of Lenses – Wide angel, Standard, Telephoto, Zoom and Fixed Focal length
    6. Digital technology – Process of Digitisation, CMOS, types of sensors
      1. Difference between RAW vs. JPEG
      2. What is Crop frame & Full Frame?
      3. Megapixel and resolution vs Sensor and quality
  3. Unit III: Aesthetics of Photography and lighting techniques
    1. Various Composition rules and its importance
      1. Rule of thirds
      2. Leading Lines
      3. Symmetry/ Balance
      4. Golden Ratio
      5. Frame within a frame
    2. Elements of art – Line, Shape, Colour, Value, Texture, Space, 
    3. Principles of Design in photography – Balance, Contrast, Emphasis, Pattern, Unity, Movement, Rhythm     
    4. Lighting - Natural vs Artificial Lighting
    5. Types of lighting - soft light, hard light, key light, fill light, back light
    6. Lighting techniques in daylight
    7. Lighting for portraits – Outdoors
    8. Basics of Studio lighting
      1. Single point lighting
      2. Two-point lighting
      3. Three-point lighting 
    9. Lighting for portraits – Studio
  4. Unit IV: Basic Post – processing
    1. Introduction to Adobe light room
    2. Importing photographs 
    3. Workspace in light room
    4. Managing Catalogues and files
    5. Processing and developing photographs
      1. Develop module basics
      2. Correcting perspectives
      3. Image tone and colour
      4. Radial and graduation filters
      5. Develop module options 
    6. Exporting photographs
    7. Slideshows, photobooks and webpages
  5. Unit V: Storytelling through photography
    1. Concepts of Photojournalism 
    2. Concepts of Social Documentary photography
    3. Difference between Social documentary and Photojournalism
    4. Techniques of Visual Storytelling – Photo features, photo stories
      1. Identifying the subject
      2. Research
      3. Planning the shoot
      4. Pre-visualization                      
      5. Shooting plan
      6. Creating the photo series

Reading List:

Essential reading

Dorji, Y., & Choden, U. (2008). Bhutan birds.You2

Friday, J. (2002). Aesthetics and photography. Aldershot: Ashgate.

Kobre, K. (2004). Photojournalism: The Professionals' Approach. Focal Press.

Long, B. (2014). Complete digital photography (8th ed.). Delmar.

Additional reading

Housenbold, J., & Johnson, D. (2005). The shutterfly guide to great digital photos. Emeryville: McGraw-Hill/Osborne.

Lester, P., & Martin, S. A. (2018). Visual ethics. Focal Press.

Date: March 2023
Royal Thimphu College