Photographic

Lighting
Spring 2015
Cuesta College

I have often thought that if photography were difficult in the

true sense of the term/meaning, that the creation of a simple
photograph would entail as much time and effort as the production of a good watercolor or etching - there would be a vast
improvement in total output. The sheer ease with which we
can produce a superficial image often leads to creative disaster.
-Ansel Adams (1902-84), "A Personal Credo"

I look forward to the class working as a cohesive

whole. I am not infallible, nor unapproachable,
but many times I will have a different opinion
than you. That is what makes the dialogue interesting and functional. Communication must be
bilateral. I cannot seek out every member of the
class and solicit their progress. You must come to
me at reasonable intervals and show me your
work (journal, contact sheets, negatives, slides,
files, and prints). Forcing response to your work
is an important part of your growth and the learning process.
The format of the class will involve lectures/
demonstrations, assignments & critiques, a visual
journal, and readings w/ brief written assignments.

Office Hours:
M&W 10:00-11:30am
M-TH 2:50-3:20pm
Open Studio Hours:
M-TH 2:20-2:50pm (7175)

Instructor: Douglas Highland

e-mail: dhighlan@cuesta.edu
Office: 7136 / 546-3100 ext. 2748

The goal of Photographic Lighting is for you to

become familiar with light and comfortable in a
professional studio environment. You will learn
to see as well as control quality of light. Specifically, we will be dealing with three main areas:
Modifying Available Light, Tungsten Light and
Strobe Light. The class will begin with an understanding of how different light sources relate to
people and objects; recognizing how ambient
light and artificial light affects your images. You
will then learn specific exposure and lighting
techniques for portrait and product through demonstrations and applied assignments. To complete
some of these assignments you will be working
in teams to help each other solve problems on
location and in the photographic studio environment. There is no other way to succeed in the
lighting/studio environment than being willing to
work on projects outside of class time!

Art 252 (32304)

MW 11:30am-2:20pm
lecture 7175 / lab 7186

Visual Journal Requirements:

The Visual Journal must be complete, highly
organized with tabs, and tidy.
SIDE #1 (bind on left)
= notes/demo notes, handouts, reading/
development assignments.
SIDE #2 (reverse/ bind still on left)
= images you find (2 per week that you want to
emulate or question W/ Lighting Diagrams).
-images MUST be numbered (1-34) & labeled
with artist and source/web address.
-images on left side page with diagrams directly
opposite on right page.
-min. size = 4 on short side
-downloaded images must be of high quality
-color images = color / b&w images = b&w
Student Learning Outcomes: Identify various
photographic lighting techniques. Employ various artificial photographic lighting techniques to
express personal vision and content through the
finished work. Recognize and discuss artificially
lit photographic imagery in historical and contemporary photography.
Grading:
Critiques & Participation





Visual Journal
w/reading assignments

Exam










Assignments








Final Portfolio
Assignment




100-93%=A

89-87%=B+

82-80%=B-

76-70%=C

66-63%=D

<60%=F

92-90%=A86-83%=B
79-77%=C+

69-67%=D+
62-60%=D-

5%
15%
10%
60%
10%

Photographic Lighting
Late Work:
Late work will not be accepted after 2 class meetings and
will automatically receive a grade no higher than 70%.
Extra Credit:
Extra credit percentage points will be awarded for attendance as follows:
0 Absences= 3%pts; 1 Absence =2%pts; 2 Absences=1%pts.

Excused absences count against this total. These extra

credit percentage points are added to your final grades and
have the potential to raise your grade to the next level.
Exams:
Exam times are listed in the course schedule. It is your
responsibility to arrive on time for exams with a scan-tron
form and #2 pencil. The instructor will not give extra time
or a make-up for your lack of preparedness or absence.
Note that the final meeting is not usually at the regular
class time and it is mandatory. It is your responsibility to
be in class at the time indicated by the finals schedule. Do
not ask to take your final at a different time. Failure to
attend the final meeting requires a failing grade.
Attendance:
Generally, lectures, tests and new assignments are given at
the beginning of the class period. Late arrivals invariably
create an irritating interruption in the presentation. All efforts should be made to arrive on time! Tardiness and early
departures do not count toward positive attendance.
Students receive 3 excused absences (counted against the
extra credit percentage points for the semester). If absent,
you are still responsible for turning work in before or on
the due date for potential full credit.
The instructor may drop a student after 3 absences or due
to nonperformance.
Adult Content:
The study of art includes a wide range of human experiences and behaviors. Therefore, discussions, critiques, lectures, and all other material and media covered in this class
may touch upon language and subject matter that some
might find objectionable.

Art 252
Cuesta College

Cell Phones, Music Players, Headphones:

Turn off all cell phones while in the classroom and darkroom. Class time is for learning, not talking/texting on the
phone. Do not excuse yourself to place or answer a call.
Do not use personal music players and/or headphones
while in the class. The nature of this course encourages
communication between students, the instructor and between fellow students. The question your neighbor just
asked may be your next question.
Music and Media Web sites:
Students may bring in CDs/Digital Music Players to be
played during class on a first come first served basis. However the instructor does not entertain complaints about the
music, any complaints will result in the stereo being turned
off for the day. The instructor also reserves the right to terminate any music at any time without explanation. Do not
enter the office area to observe, change, or alter music
unless previously asking the instructor.
Do not play media or media web sites during class, this
includes, but is not limited to CDs, MP3s, DVDs, music,
games, sound clips, streaming audio or video. Violations of
this policy will result in ejection from the class for the day
and given an unexcused absence, NO EXCEPTIONS.
Miscellaneous:
PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH! (during office hrs., by
phone, or by e-mail).
Keep ALL WORK! This means any returned/graded
work and any development work for projects!
Please make sure to LOG-IN on the computer for all
open lab use.
Final drop dates are February 1st (w/out a W) and
April 19th (w/ a W)
Disrespect for the instructor, fellow students, college
property, or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated
and will
result in ejection from the class. (See Student Code of
Conduct, in the Cuesta College catalogue)
This syllabus serves as a contract. By accepting it, you
understand and will abide by the requirements of this
course.

Art 252
Cuesta College

Photographic Lighting
Supply List: As with any art class I would suggest exploring other texts and publications. I am
including a list of texts, publications, and artists
who work in the photographic medium. This
would be a good place to start any research. Students are responsible for providing the following
list of class materials. Sources to obtain these
materials are listed below.
Textbook: (required) Light: Science & Magic
HunterISBN0-240-81225-5Copyright12PublisherFocalE
dition4BindingPaperback
(get asap)
Recommended Texts:

Photography, any Edition, London & Upton.
Photographing People, Rotovision.
Still Life and Special Effects Photography, Rotovision.
Essential Skills: Photographic Lighting, Focal Press.
Elements of Style or- Chicago Manual of Style
Recommended Publications:
Aperture, Blind Spot, Photography, Photo District News
Camera/s:
-35mm, Manual Operation, Film Camera
w/ 85mm 105mm lens (best focal lengths).
-DSLR, Manual Operation, Digital Camera
w/ lens equating to 85mm-105mm & min.,
2 batteries and 2 large capacity memory cards.
Portable Hard Drive (port powered 500ish gb)
One (1) 9 x 12 spiral bound artists sketchbook for Visual Journal & BIG rubber band. (get asap)
One (1) small 3x5 spiral notebook (get asap)
YESPaste -or- Glue Stick -or- Rubber Cement
(!NO WHITE GLUE!) (get asap)
Sharpie Pens (combo - ultra fine & fine) (get asap)
Binder Box to contain prints and negs. (get asap)
Archival Negative sleeves (get asap)
Dodging & Burning Tools (make your own asap!)
Hand towel (get asap)
Spotting brush (#000 or #00000 / get asap)
B&W Photographic Paper:
(surface = Lustre, Pearl, Satin, Semi-Matte, or Matte)
-8x10, variable contrast/resin coated/
[20-50 sheets asap]
-11x14, variable contrast/resin coated/
[Qty. TBD]
B&W Negative Film: Ilford or Arista suggested.
[4 rolls 100asa]
Color Positive (Chrome) Film: Fujichrome 100
[4-5 rolls 100asa]
Digital Photographic Paper
Epson Ultra Premium Photo Paper Luster SO41405

Miscellaneous Supplies (@ your discretion):

-flash meter
-measuring tape
-black velvet/velveteen cloth (36 or 45 x 5 - 6)
-gray card, white fill card/reflector
-anything that you might need to stylize your set-up or create your imagery (props, tape, scissors, backgrounds etc.)
-80a and 85b color conversion filter to fit YOUR lens
(*!!!wait on these!!!*)
-gloves, apron, static negative brush, dust-off canned air
(environmentally safe type), spot-tone (#3), matte board.
*Each individual assignment should be completed with the
same type of film and paper.
NOTE:
Color Positive / Chrome / E-6 Process Film
-The Photo Shop w/ 10% discount $14.35
-Freestyle Photographic


$11.49 / $10.59
-Sammys Camera



$8.49
http://www.samys.com/p/Film/14883187/RDPIII-135-36-Provia-100F-Film/36850.html

Processing
-The Photo Shop $14.99 [in by opening @ 10am]
M = usually back W by 11am
W = usually back F by 11am
F = usually back W by 11am
-North Coast Photographic Services
$10.50 per roll + $5.95 Shipping (for up to 15 rollls)
5451 Avenida Encinas Suite D Carlsbad, CA 92008
(760) 931-6809
http://www.northcoastphoto.com/film_developing_scans.html

M-F Same day turn around (usually)

Suppliers: Saying, "I'm a student", may get you

discounts at the following locations:
Cuesta College Bookstore
San Luis Obispo Campus







(805) 546-3206
The Photo Shop
1027 Marsh B, San Luis Obispo





(805) 543-4025
Freestyle Photographic
5124 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood (or web)



1-800-292-6137
Samys Camera
910 E. Haley St, Santa Barbara (or web)



(805) 963-7269
Photo Warehouse / ultrafineonline.com
121 Lombard Street, Oxnard (or web)



1-800-922-5484