photography
Bull's Head, Porter Sculpture Garden, Montrose, SD
Mike Peven
The photography area prepares students for artistic expression and, to a lesser extent, commercial application. The program provides a good foundation in both the fundamental technical skills and the image-making concepts that help to develop a skilled photographer. The introductory course focuses on all basic skills related to traditional methods of black and white photography; the camera, print and film darkrooms, as well as critical thinking and seeing.
Advanced coursework includes Alternative Photographic Processes, Color Photography, Digital Photography and Special Problems in Photography which includes work in Studio Photography, Documentary Photography and Independent study on advanced projects. There is also a History of Photography course every third year in rotation.
Our facilities include traditional black and white darkrooms, facilities for color, alternative processes, a small digital darkroom and access to the department's computer lab.
Courses
ARTS 3803 Photography I
Beginning photography. Introduction to B & W materials, techniques, and theory. Development of visual ideas through assignments, critiques, slide lectures, and demonstrations. Prerequisite: ARTS 1313.
ARTS 3813 Alternative Photographic Processes
Advanced B & W materials, techniques, and theory. Introduction to "nontraditional" materials, techniques, and theory (Cyanotype, Van Dyck Brownprint, Gum Biochromate, KWIK-PRINT, etc.). Assignments, critiques, slide lectures, and demonstrations. Prerequisite: ARTS 3803.
ARTS 4813 Digital Photography
Introduction to digital photography, production techniques and theory. Digital input from scanning (flatbed & slide/negative), digital cameras, video and internet sources. Computer assisted manipulation of imagery for correction and abstraction. Output to digital printing systems, analog systems (film recorder, servers and internet. Prerequisite: ARTS 3803
ARTS 4823 Color Photography I
Introduction to color production. Color materials, techniques and theory. Direct reversal transparencies and prints, color negative processing and printing, and manipulation of color materials. Assignments, demonstrations, critiques, and lectures. Prerequisite: ARTS 3803.
ARTS 4833 Advanced Photography
Individual problems in photography with optional study in areas of color, slide production, and photography application to other art media. Prerequisite: ARTS 3803.
ARTS 4853 Documentary Photography (irregular)
This course will introduce students to a variety of methods used in the area of documentary photography in order to give them the conceptual and technical skills necessary to create extended projects that focus on documenting and visually exploring subjects in an in-depth manner. Prerequisite: ARTS 3803
ARTS 484V Special Problems in Photography (1-6)
Individual instruction for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. Special projects in photography designated by students in collaboration with faculty. May be repeated for 6 hours. Prerequisite: ARTS 3803 and (ARTS 3813 or ARTS 4823 or ARTS 4833).