269 Syllabus Fall 2014

Photojournalism



 

COMM 269
006 Carnegie Building

Section 002  Fall 2014 – Wednesday & Friday:  9:05 am-11:00 am
Section 004  Fall 2014 – Wednesday & Friday:  12:20 pm-2:15 pm

Instructor: Will Yurman, Senior Lecturer of Communications
Office Hours:

Wednesday & Friday 2:30-3:30 in Carnegie 218
Tuesday & Thursday 1:30-2:30pm at Innovation Park
and by appointment

“I think a photography class should be a requirement in all educational programs because it makes you see the world rather than just look at it.”


~Author Unknown

Office: Carnegie 218
Telephone:
(O)  814-863-8908
(C)  814-470-5895
Email: why1@psu.edu

Photojournalism is reporting with a camera. Writers use words. Radio reporters tell their stories in sound. Photographers use light. We are all reporters – telling stories and sharing information with the world. Technology is advancing at a rapid pace. The lines are blurring as journalists learn to use a variety of tools to do their job. Visual reporting requires learning a visual language, and a variety of technical skills. But it also requires the skills and soul of a journalist.

Objectives:

  • To recognize, appreciate and produce quality photography for publication in print, and online
  • To learn the fundamentals of digital photography for multimedia and print
  • To make visually interesting photographs which are technically competent and communicate an idea to the viewer
  • To begin to build a photojournalistic portfolio
  • To understand the duties of a working photojournalist
  • To learn to critically evaluate your own work and the work of others

Goals:

Upon successful completion of this class, students will understand:

  • How to initiate ideas for photographs and complete assignments on deadline
  • What makes a “good” photograph for publication in print or the Web
  • How to crop, size, and make tonal adjustments to photos using Adobe Photoshop
  • How to write complete photo captions using AP style
  • How to utilize basic strategies for photo editing
  • Ethical and basic legal concerns of photojournalists

Attendance:

Students are expected to attend every class. Regular and punctual attendance is important and will be part of your grade. If you will be missing class for a legitimate reason, you should notify me prior to the start of the class via e-mail. Students with excused absences will be permitted to make up work done during the class they missed.  Excused absences are limited to the observance of holy days, or circumstances beyond your control, including:

  • your illness;
  • a personal emergency such as an accident or severe illness of a family member;
  • the funeral of a family member or a friend; or
  • a canceled plane, bus or train, or hazardous driving conditions on your return from an out-of-town trip.
  • a religious observance

Any test, quiz, or in-class assignment missed as a result of an excused absence must be made up within one week of the class missed. Students are responsible for contacting me about missed assignments. If you miss class because of an unexcused absence you will receive a zero for any in-class assignment.

You must be present to turn in assignments. Missing class critiques will result in a letter grade reduction.

You are responsible for any information you miss because of an absence from class – that includes lecture notes, changes to the schedule, assignments, etc.

Three unexcused absences and/or tardinesses will result in a half-letter grade reduction in your final grade. Each additional absence will reduce your grade a further half a letter grade. (An A becomes an A-, an A- becomes a B+ etc.)

Textbooks & Supplies:

Kobre, Kenneth R. “Photojournalism: the Professionals’ Approach, 6th edition”, Boston, MA: Focal Press, 2008.

Joe McNally “Life Guide to Digital Photography: Everything You Need To Shoot Like a Pro.” 2010
ISBN 1-60320-127-0

Newspapers:

For this course you are required to read The New York Times (www.nytimes.com/passes), USA Today, Centre Daily Times and the Collegian online and in print.

Digital Storage:

Assignments will be turned in by uploading your work to the Projects Server. Instructions for using the server can be found on the handouts page or directly here.

You will need the login and password for your class:

For 269.2 (the morning class)

  • user name: 269.2.student
  • password: 269.2

For 269.4 (the afternoon class)

  • user name: 269.4.student
  • password: 269.4

The digital age requires digital storage. I strongly recommend purchasing an external hard drive to store your digital files.

At the end of the semester you will present a portfolio of your best work from the semester – you are responsible for saving your image files throughout the semester.

A fast drive with Firewire connections will save you time, though any drive will work for this class. Look for drives that offer 7200rpm speed, and multiple ways of connecting including Firewire. (We’ll go over this in class)

Owning your own SD cards is also a good idea, though the camera kits you sign out will come with cards. We will be shooting some video, so don’t buy the cheapest card at Walmart. Ask before you buy your own.  Look for Class 6 cards or faster.

Academic Integrity

Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly and creative activity in an open, honest and responsible manner, free from fraud and deception, and is an educational objective of the College of Communications and the University. Cheating – including plagiarism, falsification of research data, using the same assignment for more than one class, turning in someone else’s work, or passively allowing others to copy your work – will result in academic penalties at the discretion of the instructor. In serious cases, it could also result in suspension or dismissal from the University or in the assignment of an “XF” grade (failed for academic dishonesty).

As students studying communications, you should understand and avoid plagiarism (presenting the work of others as your own.) A discussion of plagiarism, with examples, can be found at http://tlt.psu.edu/plagiarism/student-tutorial/. The rules and policies regarding academic integrity should be reviewed by every student, and can be found online at: www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/47-00.html#49-20, and in the College of Communications document, “Academic Integrity Policy and Procedures.” Any student with a question about academic integrity or plagiarism is strongly encouraged to discuss it with his or her instructor.

Our Community

As photojournalists, the subjects of our stories should reflect the entire community we serve. Showing diversity in your assignments is essential.

Note To Students With Disabilities

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University’s educational programs. If you have a disability-related need for reasonable academic adjustments in this course, contact the Office for Disability Services, ODS located in room 116 Boucke Building at 814-863-1807(V/TTY). For further information regarding ODS, please visit its website at www.equity.psu.edu/ods/. Instructors should be notified as early in the semester as possible regarding the need for reasonable academic adjustments.

Grading:

Photojournalism is about people and documenting the human condition. To be successful in this course you will show people in your photos. Grades will be based on photographs, video, photo captions, tests and class participation.

Re-shooting is like re-writing an assignment for a reporting class. You may improve your grade by reshooting any two regular assignments during the semester (except the picture story, class projects, DITLO assignment and the final portfolio). ALL RESHOOTS ARE DUE BY FRIDAY November 21. You must have submitted an assignment on time to re-shoot the assignment.

Assignments will be evaluated using the following criterion:

Journalistic Content

Does the photograph tell the story? Is the image relevant to the assignment? Does the photography capture peak action, emotion and expression? Does a complete, AP style caption accompany each photograph? Is the information correct? Are there spelling errors in the caption?

Technical Excellence / Composition

Is there a clear center of visual interest? Is the photograph too dark or too light? Is the photo in-focus? Does the photo have the proper color balance? Is the photo graphically appealing?

Shooting assignment grades will be based on:

      • 20% for captions (if there is no caption = 0 for the entire assignment)
        • Does the caption follow AP style
        • Are names accurate and complete (first and last names are required)
        • Are the captions grammatically correct, without spelling errors
        • Does the caption add value to the photograph
      • 20% for technical issues =
        • Were the camera settings properly configured for the assignment
        • Is the image properly exposed
        • Is the color balance correct
        • Is the photo in focus and not blurry
        • Was a proper shutter speed used to prevent blurriness
        • Was the photo properly toned in Photoshop
        • Did you use the appropriate lens for the assignment
        • Did you properly name your files and folders and submit your work correctly
      • 30% points for effort =
        • Did you find an assignment that offered strong visual opportunities
        • Did you spend enough time at the assignment
        • Did you shoot enough images 
        • Did you explore ideas visually
        • Did you work the situation: moving around, trying different techniques and ideas, wait for moments
      • 30% points for content =
      • Is the photo aesthetically compelling/interesting
      • Did you capture a moment
      • Is the photo relevant to the assignment

Grading Breakdown:(assignments tentative)

Assignment Points
1. ViewFinder 100
2. Ed.Ted D7000 Intro 50
3. Photo of the Week 120
4. Good and Bad 50
5. Looking 50
Treasure Hunt 1(In Class) 30
6. Photoshop (in class) 50
7. Guardian EyeWitness 30
8. Unusual Ice Cream 100
9. Ed.Ted DOF 30
10. Favorite Photo 30
Instagram Homecoming 100
11. Feature Photo Event 100
12. NewsU – lmage 30
13. DITLO 150
14. The Portrait 150
15. Deconstructing The Image 30
16. Was This Acceptable 30
17. Face2Place 100
18. Sports 100
19. Midterm 300
20. News/Issue 100
21. Picture Story proposal 50
22. Picture Story 1st shoot 100
23. Picture Story final 300
24. Video 150
25. Portfolio 100
26. Class Participation 200
TOTAL 2700

Grading Percentage Breakdown:

93.0-100 A
90.0-92.9 A-
87.0-89.9 B+
83.0-86.9 B
80.0-82.9 B-
77.0-79.9 C+
70.0-76.9 C
60.0-69.9 D
Under 60.0 F

Extra Credit:

Extra credit can be earned for photographs published in campus or regional publications. Images published as a part of class projects do not count as extra credit. A semester total of no more than 100 points of extra credit (50 points for each published image) may be added to a student’s grade. To receive extra credit give me a printed copy or email me the URL to the publication.

Deadlines:

Photojournalists must adapt to changing situations. You must adapt to meet deadlines. Late assignments will NOT be accepted. IF you must miss a class, you MUST arrange to turn in your work.

A missed deadline means you failed the assignment.

Unless otherwise noted, all assignments are due at the start of class. Finishing work during class is not acceptable. Unless you have an excused absence and the instructor is notified via email in advance, you must be present at the start of class to hand in assignments. If you have an excused absence, or are unable to attend class, it is still your responsibility to turn in assignments on time.

Digital Photojournalism Lab Policies / Hours:

The computer lab will be open when photojournalism classes are not in session. There may be other times when use of the lab is restricted. Students will have 24-hour swipe card access to the building and lab. Only photojournalism students are permitted in the lab.  Do not allow anyone else to enter the lab. Do not block the lab door open. According to university policy, no food or drink is permitted in the lab. Students caught with food or drink in the lab may lose lab privileges. The number of printouts made will be monitored electronically. If students are abusing 24-hour lab privileges, lab hours will be restricted.

Website/communication

Class information will be available on the website at: https://www.willyurman.com/teaching
Updates to the syllabus, assignments, handouts etc. will all be on the website.
I will use email for any last minute updates/cancellations/changes
I will also be sending critiques and grades via email. Grades will also be posted on angel
Please make sure I have your current and preferred email address.

Assignment Standards:

•Digital files/assignments will be placed on the server. It is extremely important that all files and folders contain your name and the assignment name.

•Students CANNOT photograph their friends and relatives for class assignments. Exceptions should be approved in advance. It is very difficult to make a living photographing your friends.

•All images should be taken with the digital camera quality setting of “fine” or “Raw”

•All assignments must have complete caption information.

•You may be required to  email me photos on a tighter deadline. You are responsible for making sure your email is working properly.

•All assignments must be publishable and fall within societal norms for decency and good taste.

•Unless you specifically say otherwise, it is assumed that any work submitted for this class may be published on the Commedia, Centre Daily Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Penn State University, or other websites. Student images may also be used in university publications. Select photos will be entered in regional and national photojournalism competitions.

Supplies:

It is your responsibility to save and backup your digital files. The modern equivalent of my dog ate my homework is “my harddrive crashed” or “My roommate deleted my files”.  Neither of these are an acceptable excuse.

You need to have backup copies of everything you shoot – I STRONGLY recommend purchasing a portable external harddrive.

Specifics will be discussed in class.

Camera Checkout:

“Point and shoot” cameras are not acceptable for use in this class. If there’s a question as to whether your camera is acceptable for this class, see me.

Camera kits are available through Media & Technology Services. We use the Nikon D7000 or D7100 camera. Their facility is at Wagner Annex.
Media Tech generally permits students to keep cameras for three days.
They are open M-F
You are financially responsible for the equipment.

Additional lenses and flash units may be checked out from the College of Communications for a period of 24 hours. You are financially responsible for the equipment you borrow from the College of Communications. Much of the pool equipment is owned by Nikon and is on loan to Penn State for photojournalism classes. Be sure that everything is working before you leave the building. When you sign the checkout form you are agreeing that the equipment is in good working order. Make note of any equipment problems before you sign the form!  If, at the discretion of Mike Zelazny, you abuse the pool camera equipment, you will lose the privilege to borrow equipment. Fines are imposed for equipment returned late.

Internet

Students are not permitted to use the Internet during class hours to check Facebook or email. Students using the Internet for anything other than class work (during class) will have points deducted from their class participation grade.

Cell Phones:

Cell phones should be turned off before class.  No text messaging during class. Students using a cell phone during class hours for anything other than class work will have points deducted from their class participation grade.


 

This syllabus is merely a guide. It will likely change during the semester. Dates, deadlines, assignments, point values, and any or all policies may be changed or modified by the instructor. Changes will be announced in class or via the class website. There may be unannounced quizzes during the semester.