Digital Imaging I

DAT 108, DIGITAL IMAGING I

CRN: 3474
Course Discipline, Digital Arts Technology
               DAT 108 Name: Digital Imaging I
Instructor: Jerry Nevins
                              Office:   L-305
Phone: 203-773-8546
                              Email: jnevins@jnevins.com
                     Office Hours:  W 10:50am - 11:50am
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: DAT 101
Required Textbook: None

                                          Class Blog, DAT 101, Fall 2012
                                        Class Blog, DAT 101, Spring 2013
                                          Class Blog, DAT 108, Fall, 2013

____________________________________________________________

Course Description:

Prerequisite: DAT*H101. Digital Imaging I provides an in-depth study of
digital image files and their uses in the realm of digital graphics, imaging and
video. Topics include; alpha channels, composition and lighting, color theory,
data compression, filters, raster graphics, vector graphics, gradients, layering,
screen resolution and bit depth, and video display formats.

This is a working studio class and through demonstrations and hands on work you will learn to solve visual problems using Adobe software. This "hands on" experience is the key to success in this class. The primary evidence for progress in this class will be a portfolio of 50+ pieces illustrating concepts learned.

Number of Credits: 3

Course Objectives: The main goals of this course are to provide the learner with the abilities to:

To become proficient at the technical aspect of photographing with a digital camera and working with those images including digital editing, saving, sizing and posting those images.
Become proficient in using Photoshop to edit, size, adjust and manipulate your own photographs
Learn in-depth use of Photoshop
To develop the habit of looking closely at the visible world around you in order to represent it in terms of aesthetics and truth.
Learn to create and manipulate Vector Images
Understand the workings of computer hardware/software
Develop a coherent portfolio of exhibition worthy photographs.

Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of all required assignments, the learner will be able to:

     1. To understand the use of all tools found in Photoshop CS 5.5/6 software.

     2. Understand managing image files... saving, opening, uploading, posting, etc.

     3. Gain proficiency with image editing for maximum image impact.

     4. Understand resolution in digital images.

5. Gain proficiency in creating vector graphics.

Complete Photography Guide for Beginners at Life Hack

Week by Week outilne:

Date Assignment

Class 1 2-Sept Intro to class, create class blog, post bio and image to blog. Demonstrate editing tools in Photoshop. Students Edit their own work.

Class 2 9-Sept Introduction to Composition: Photographic Geometry of the the built environment Photoshop Edit for focal point and emphasis, Sculpt light...feathered selections the levels tool, the curve tool, Color correction. View How to Video Here

Newer Video, recorded June, 2013

Watch this video I made on basic editing for light, contrast and color balance using a student image. Feb 2015

Class 3 16-Sept Introduction to Composition: Photographic Geometry of the the built environment. Further work on using editing tools... levels, curves, feathered selections, etc. Video discussion of student work on this assignment. I discuss what I am looking for this week and go over the good, the dull and the ugly....about 13 min long....

ADOBE TV Dozens of short how to videos from Adobe.

Look at the work of Edward Weston. Consider this image:

Edward Weston used his 8"x10" camera to photograph this small green bell pepper set in a simple wooden bowel by window light. Notice how he moved in, and filled the frame with the form of the pepper. The simple elegance and direct presentation of the pepper has transformed it from a mere description of an ingredient in tonight's dinner to an image that is transcendent.

Photograph shapes, reflections, light and pattern in an urban or town environment paying particular attention to the shapes you select in the frame and the quality of light on the subject.

Avoid being far away or showing a whole building. Always shoot with natural light. Never use flash in this class... get in close, fill the frame.

Class 4 23-Sept Macro/ Close up Photography.

Browse through this gallery of amazing macro shots.

Class 5 30-Sept Light and Shadow: Design your compositions with the materiality of shadows. Photoshop focus, Feathered selections, levels adjustment, reading the histogram.

Class 6 7-Oct The Beauty of Urban Decay.... Excellent images to begin with here. Photoshop focus, Contrast, Hue and Saturation, Color Balance.

Class 7 14-Oct The Digital Portrait I call this assignment "How to Fry an Egg".... Everyone thinks they know how to do it but when you come right down to it, there is a lot of technique involved and there is plenty of opportunity to mess it up.

Watch Video Introduction to the assignment.

25 Inspirational Natural Light Portraits Take a look at these...Which is your favorite? Why? Where did the photographer position themself relative to the light?

Photoshop focus: Healing brush, clone tool, "painting" blur with history brush, other skin tips and techniques.

Class 8 21-Oct Motion Blur Photography Learn to control shutter speed for expressive movement.

Class 9 28 -Oct Photoshop Surrealism/ the composited reality.

Composited images... Surrealism Video How To....

Excellent tutorials here...

Photoshop focus: Layer blend modes, advanced selection techniques, layer masks, lighting techniques.

Class 10 4-Nov Photoshop Mirrored and Rotational Symmetries Intro to composite project. View How to Video Here.

Class 11 11-Nov Illustrator Tools - examples of various tools, fills strokes, objects, clones, the pen tool, bezier curves.
How To Video Here

ADOBE TV: dozens of short how to videos from Adobe on getting started and more in Illustrator.

Class 12 18-Nov Illustrator: brushes, rotations, clones, transformations.

Class 13 25-Nov Veteran's Day, No Classes.

Class 14 2 -Dec More Illustrator tricks: Vector tracing, splash graphics, using the blend tool, create vector characters, swirls and flourishes, perfecting the use of the pen tool, Icon/Logo design.

Class 15- Dec 9 Illustrator: 50 Illustrator Tutorials.

Final Class- Dec. 16 Final Exam/Last Class Finish up any incomplete work, polish final portfolio.

Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz

The higher of these two numbers below indicates which side of your brain has dominance in your life. Realising your right brain/left brain tendancy will help you interact with and to understand others. Here's the result when I took the quiz...

Left Brain Dominance: (6)
Right Brain Dominance: (14)

Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz

Portfolio Due
Finish up your portfolio, add images to it, revisit a past project to improve it, etc.

Grading System
For the purpose of computing numerical credit point averages, grades are evaluated as follows for each semester hour of credit. Grades on exams, papers, and quizzes, will be based on this grading system.

Numeric Grade	Acceptable Letter Grade Range to be used by the Instructor	Description
90-100	A- to A	Excellent
80-89	B-, B, B+	Above Average
70-79	C-, C, C+	Average
60-69	D-, D, D+	Below Average
Below 60	F	Failing

Evaluative Criteria:
50% Participation/attendance
50% Portfolio

NVCC Absences and Attendance Guidelines

The Faculty expects that each student will exercise personal responsibility regarding class attendance.
All students are expected to attend every class session of each course for which they are registered.
Students are responsible for all that transpires in class whether or not they are in attendance, even if absences are the result of late registration or add/drop activity at the beginning of a term as permitted by college policy.
The Faculty defines excessive absence or lateness as more than the equivalent of one week of class meetings during the semester. Distance Learning courses will use criteria established by the Instructor.
When presence counts towards a class participation grade, excessive absence or lateness may, at the discretion of the instructor, lower a student’s course grade.
Instructors will maintain attendance records.

At the beginning of each semester, instructors will be instructed to submit, to the Academic Dean’s office, the names of students who have not attended any classes during the first two weeks of classes.

Class Cancellations: With the potential for faculty emergencies or inclement weather, class cancellations or delays are a possibility. If a class is cancelled or delayed, instructors will work with students to plan for qualified substitute instructors or make-up assignments for any class time missed. Faculty can plan for make-up assignments through a variety of ways including, but not limited to, the use of reading days, extended class time, or online/additional class assignments. [Cancellation or delay of classes due to inclement weather is made only by the President of the College. To promptly learn of these cancellations or delays, please sign-up for MyCommNetAlert for immediate notifications.]

Academic Honesty Statement: At NVCC we expect the highest standards of academic honesty. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in accordance with the Board of Trustees’ student discipline policy 5.2.1 Policy on Student Conduct, Section 3, Paragraph 2. This policy prohibits cheating on examinations, unauthorized collaboration on assignments, unauthorized access to examinations or course materials, plagiarism, and other proscribed activities. Plagiarism is defined as the use of another’s idea(s) or phrase(s) and representing that/those idea(s) as your own, either intentionally or unintentionally. Anyone who violates the Board policy may fail the course at the discretion of the instructor. (Please see the Student Handbook on the College website for more information http://www.nv.edu/Portals/0/Documents/StudentServices/NVCCStudentHandbook.pdf).

A student may not obtain a transcript notation of “W” in a course if there exists substantial reason to believe the student has engaged in academic misconduct in the course. A transcript notation of “W” will only be permitted for such students when the final resolution results in finding the student did not commit academic misconduct in the course.

Children on Campus: For the purpose of this policy, children are defined as minors under the age of 18 who are not enrolled in a Naugatuck Valley Community College course or program. Children must be attended at all times by a responsible adult. Children may accompany an adult to class on an occasional basis and only with the prior permission of the class instructor. In an emergency situation that is not repetitive, a request may be made to the instructor of the course or supervisor of the activity for permission to bring a child to class or on campus. The student must notify the instructor or supervisor prior to the beginning of the class or activity that a child is present. Pre-k, elementary and high schools that are not in session are not emergency situations. Arrangements must be made for child care outside of NVCC.

It is expected that this accommodation will be made only when there is no disruption to the teaching and learning process. Instructors and/or supervisors are authorized to ask the student or program participant to leave should the presence of the child be disruptive.

Children are never permitted in any test, exam or final exam session.

(Full policy can be found in the NVCC Student Handbook)

Cell Phone Use Policy: Students are hereby notified that cell phones are allowed in class only if they are turned off or turned to a silent mode. Under no circumstances are telephones to be answered in class. Students who ignore this policy may be asked to leave class. When there are extenuating circumstances that require a student be available by phone, the student should speak to the instructor prior to class, so that together they can arrive at an agreement concerning the device.

Blackboard Learn (place here if you use Blackboard Learn)
This course makes extensive use of Blackboard Learn, the digital teaching and learning platform for the Connecticut Community Colleges, and all students will need access to the Internet (there are plenty of computing resources on campus) in order to take quizzes and access course resources. Some course content as presented in Blackboard Learn is not fully supported on mobile devices at this time. While mobile devices provide convenient access to check in and read information about your courses, they should not be used to perform work such as taking tests, quizzes, completing assignments or submitting substantive discussion posts. If you have any problem using Blackboard Learn Mobile, you should contact Distance Learning at 203-575-8182 dl@nv.edu. During off-hours please visit our ConnSCU Student Support Help Desk https://websupport.ct.edu and search “Blackboard Mobile Learn” or call 860-723-0221 (Mon-Thr 8a.m. - 8p.m., Fri 8a.m. - 5p.m., Sun 1p.m. - 9p.m.). If these resources are not available, please resort to using your desktop/laptop computer for all course viewing and activity.

Students with Special Needs-ADA: Students who may require academic adjustments on the basis of a learning disability are encouraged to contact the Counselor for Students with Learning Disabilities (Terry Latella K519C). Students who may require adjustments on the basis of all other disabilities should contact the Coordinator of Disability Services (Laurie Novi K519D). After providing documentation and completing the disability disclosure process, students are then encouraged to meet with their instructor(s) to discuss the adjustments approved by the appropriate disabilities contact and to complete the Adjustments Agreement form. Adjustments are not retroactive, students are therefore encouraged to meet with their instructor(s) at the beginning of each semester. Instructors, in conjunction with appropriate college personnel, will provide assistance and/or adjustments only to those students who have completed the disability disclosure and academic adjustments process.

Continuing Notice of Nondiscrimination
Naugatuck Valley Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, sex, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or genetic information in its programs and activities. In addition, the College does not discriminate in employment on the additional basis of veteran status or criminal record.

The following individual has been designated to handle nondiscrimination policies regarding disability policies: Robert Divjak, Director of Facilities/Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Room C216, Naugatuck Valley Community College, 750 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, CT 06708; 203-575-8235. The following individual has been designated to handle nondiscrimination policies regarding sex discrimination as well as other forms of prohibited discrimination: Jacquie Swanson, Associate Director of Human Resources/Title IX Coordinator, Room K704, Naugatuck Valley Community College, 750 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, CT 06708; 203-575-8043.

Official Student Email:
All Naugatuck Valley Community College students are given an official student email address. This email address is the primary mode of communication with the college. It is a student’s responsibility to check this e-mail for all communications from their instructors and the college. Emails will no longer be sent to personal email accounts. The College gives free access to web applications of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. Visit nv.edu/email for details on setting up your account or for help, call or visit IT: 203-575-8092 or nv.edu/IT.

Tutoring Resources:
The Academic Center for Excellence (ACE), provides tutoring in math, sciences, English and writing, and numerous other subjects. Students can learn about the full range of tutoring and other student success services by going by the ACE in E500 Ekstrom Hall, visiting its webpage at http://www.nv.edu/Student-Life/ACE-Tutoring, or by calling (203) 596-8717. The ACE is located on both campuses, Danbury and Waterbury.

Waterbury Hours:

Monday & Tuesday	8 am – 8 pm
Wednesday & Thursday	8 am – 7 pm
Friday	8 am – 4 pm
Saturday	10 am – 3 pm
Sunday	12 pm – 4pm

Danbury Hours:
Please check the Danbury campus for specific hours.

Library Resources:
The Max R. Traurig Library is located on the 4th and 5th floors of the L building. The library has books, journals, databases, research guides, DVDs and CDs to support the college curriculum, as well as copies of all the textbooks used at NVCC. Textbooks and ESL readers are available in the administrative office at the Danbury Campus. The online journal databases, ebooks, and streaming videos can be accessed via the library website at www.nv.edu/library or through the Library tab in MyCommNet.

Hours:

Monday - Thursday	8 am – 8 pm
Friday	8 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday	10 am – 2 pm

Library Circulation Desk: (203) 575-8024
Reference Desk: (203) 575-8224
Text Us! (203) 951-8189
Email: library@nv.edu

Tutoring Resources: The ACE center located in Ekstrom Hall has tutoring available in a variety of subjects which include, writing, math, and study skills.

Important Web Resources

The Museum of Computer Art

http://www.pixar.com/shorts/

http://www.tate.org.uk/netart/default.htm

SFMOMA e-space
http://www.sfmoma.org

Gallery 9 : Walker Art Center
http://gallery9.walkerart.org/

MIT Media Lab
http://www.media.mit.edu/

International Museum of Collage
http://collagemuseum.com/

Digital Art Museum
http://www.dam.org/index.htm

The American Sign Museum
http://www.signmuseum.com/

Institute for New Media Studies
inms.umn.edu
http://www.mediahistory.umn.edu/

Institute of International Visual Arts x-space
http://www.iniva.org/xspace/

The Alternative Museum
http://www.alternativemuseum.org/

Austin Museum of Digital Art
http://www.amoda.org/

Whitney Museum Art Port
http://www.whitney.org/artport/exhibitions/index.shtml

Net Art Web Sites:

UBUWEB
http://www.ubu.com/

BBC / Digital Artists
http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/art/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/multimedia/guestartists/

Soundtoys
http://www.soundtoys.net/

Turbulence
http://www.turbulence.org/

New York Digital Salon
http://www.nydigitalsalon.org/

The low-fi Net Art Locator
http://www.low-fi.org.uk

DIAN (Digital Interactive Artists Network)
http://dian-network.com/

Teleportacia
http://art.teleportacia.org/

The Ars Electronica Festival
http://www.aec.at/de/festival/index.asp

Banff New Media Institute (BNMI)
http://www.banffcentre.ca/bnmi/