This course offers a critical and practical introduction into the principles of analogue photography and darkroom processes. Through a series of practical projects, students will encounter a range of different techniques, chemical operations and approaches to cameraless photography. Studio theory will engage with questions of photographic authorship, materiality, toxicity and the foundational techniques through which our understanding of the medium has evolved. In addition, students will be introduced to a range of contemporary practitioners, and reflect on the intensification and fetishisation of analogue photography in post-digital culture, from Instagram to the Gallery.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- use fundamental skills relevant to analogue photography in response to workshop briefs;
- demonstrate an understanding of the expressive and experimental possibilities of analogue photography;
- evaluate the effectiveness of technical and artistic strategies in analogue photography; and
- recognise relationships between concept and process in photographic practice.
Additional Course Costs
Student contribution amounts under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA) and tuition fees support the course described in the Class Summary and include tuition, teaching materials, and student access to the workshops for the stated course hours.
The Material Fee is payable to the School of Art & Design to supply consumables and materials that become your physical property. The Additional Materials Fee is payable for materials you use in
addition to those supplied as part of the course. You can purchase additional material from the Workshop and take advantage of the GST-free status. These materials are also WHS and workshop process compliant.
Students have the option to obtain After hours Access to workshop and studio spaces outside of class delivery. After hours Access is defined as access to workshop and studio spaces outside of business hours between 6.00pm and 10:00pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 4pm Saturday - Sunday. It is afforded to students by paying an After hours Access Fee each semester.
For further information and to Pay Materials and Access Fees go to: https://soad.cass.anu.edu.au/required-resources-and-incidental-fees
Recommended Resources
Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.
ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.
Staff Feedback
Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:
- written comments
- verbal comments
- feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc
Student Feedback
ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.
Class Schedule
| Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intensive Week 1: Introduction to the course, darkroom induction, camera basics, shooting and developing film, making contact sheets in response to workshop tasks. | Assessment Task 1: Workshop tasks |
| 2 | Intensive Week 2: Major project brief and discussion of relevant artists and techniques, using enlargers and printing, test strips, filters, tray developing. | Assessment Task 2: Major Project |
Assessment Summary
| Assessment task | Value | Due Date | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact Sheets and Negatives | 50 % | 06/09/2024 | 1,2 |
| Analogue Print Task | 50 % | 13/09/2024 | 1,2,3,4 |
* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details
Policies
ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:
- Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
- Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information
- Student Surveys and Evaluations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
- Code of practice for teaching and learning
Assessment Requirements
The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.
Moderation of Assessment
Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.
Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 1,2
Contact Sheets and Negatives
During Week 1 of this intensive, you will be introduced to fundamental 35mm camera and darkroom analogue photography skills. Using these skills, create a contact sheet with 24 negatives that respond to the following tasks (3 negatives per individual task):
- Exposure controls, shutter speed and aperture
Photograph one subject and one landscape using the following settings:
- fast shutter speed, to freeze action (1 x landscape and 1x subject, 3 negatives each)
- slow shutter speed, to show motion blur (1 x landscape and 1x subject, 3 negatives each)
- wide aperture setting, to show shallow depth of field (1 x landscape and 1x subject, 3 negatives each)
- small aperture setting, to show large depth of field (1 x landscape and 1x subject, 3 negatives each)
Provide a 100-word written reflection on your results that discusses the link between camera settings and the aesthetics they produce.
Submission requirements:
Present your contact sheet and negatives in class on Thursday 5th September.
You must also upload a digital copy of your contact sheet and your written reflection to Wattle by Friday, 6 September 11:55pm
Value: 40%
Rubric
| CRITERIA | HD 80-100 | D 70-79 | CR 60-69 | P 50-59 | <> |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Negatives demonstrate fundamental skills relevant to analogue photography in response to workshop briefs (LO 1) | Negatives are correctly exposed and developed with an exceptional level of analogue photography skills. | Negatives are exposed and developed with with a high level of analogue photography skills. | Negatives are exposed and developed with with a good of analogue photography skills. | Negatives are exposed and developed with with satisfactory analogue photography skills. | Negatives are exposed and developed with insufficient analogue photography skills. |
Contact sheet demonstrates fundamental skills relevant to analogue photography in response to workshop briefs (LO 1) | Contact sheet is correctly exposed and developed with an exceptional level of analogue photography skills. | Contact sheet is exposed and developed with with a high level of analogue photography skills. | Contact sheet is exposed and developed with with a good of analogue photography skills. | Contact sheet exposed and developed with with satisfactory analogue photography skills. | Contact sheet is exposed and developed with insufficient analogue photography skills. |
Demonstrate an understanding of the expressive and experimental possibilities of analogue photography (LO 2) | Written reflection demonstrates exceptional understanding of expressive and experimental possibilities of analogue photography. | Written reflection demonstrates high level understanding of expressive and experimental possibilities of analogue photography. | Written reflection demonstrates good understanding of expressive and experimental possibilities of analogue photography. | Written reflection demonstrates limited understanding of expressive and experimental possibilities of analogue photography. | Written reflection demonstrates no understanding of expressive and experimental possibilities of analogue photography. |
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4
Analogue Print Task
In Week 2 of this intensive, you will work on a creating a cohesive series of fully finished analogue photographic prints on a theme/concept of your choice. Example themes include but are not limited to: Architecture, Portraiture, Nature, Politics, Climate etc. Discuss your theme with your lecturer.
Select three of your best prints to exhibit in the Curved Wall space on Thursday 12th September
Submission requirements:
This assessment task has both in-person AND online submission requirements
In person:
- Three 8 x 10 analogue prints installed in the Curved Wall space.
- Include process documentation (such as test strips and notes).
- A short 2 - 3 minute artist talk that addresses the themes and concepts in your work, the techniques used and any artists you have referenced.
Online:
In addition to the in-person submission requirements, you must also upload the following materials to Wattle by Friday, 13 September 11:55pm:
- A digital image of your prints installed in the curved wall space, and a digital image of each print
- Your process documentation (test strips, notes etc)
- A 100 word reflection that addresses the themes and concepts in your work, the techniques used and any artists you have referenced.
Value: 60%
Rubric
| CRITERIA | HD 80-100 | D 70-79 | CR 60-69 | P 50-59 | <> |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Photographic prints demonstrate fundamental skills relevant to analogue photography in response to workshop briefs (LO 1) | Photographic prints are correctly exposed and developed with an exceptional level of analogue photography skills. | Photographic prints are exposed and developed with with a high level of analogue photography skills. | Photographic prints are exposed and developed with a good level of analogue photography skills. | Photographic prints are exposed and developed with satisfactory analogue photography skills. | Photographic prints are exposed and developed with insufficient analogue photography skills. |
Demonstrate an understanding of the expressive and experimental possibilities of analogue photography (LO 2) | Photographic prints demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the expressive and experimental possibilities of analogue photography | Photographic prints demonstrate a very high understanding of the expressive and experimental possibilities of analogue photography | Photographic prints demonstrate a good understanding of the expressive and experimental possibilities of analogue photography | Photographic prints demonstrate a satisfactory understanding of the expressive and experimental possibilities of analogue photography. | Photographic prints demonstrate an insufficient understanding of the expressive and experimental possibilities of analogue photography. |
Evaluate the effectiveness of technical and artistic strategies in analogue photography (LO 3) | Technical and artistic strategies are evaluated with sophistication. | Technical and artistic strategies are evaluated with a high level of skill. | Technical and artistic strategies are evaluated to a good level. | Technical and artistic strategies are evaluated satisfactorily. | Technical and artistic strategies are not sufficiently evaluated. |
Recognise relationships between concept and process in photographic practice (LO 4) | The relationships between concept and process are discussed with sophistication. | The relationships between concept and process are discussed with a high level of skill. | The relationships between concept and process are discussed with a good level of skill. | The relationships between concept and process are discussed in a limited way. | The relationships between concept and process are not discussed. |
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.
The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.
The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.
The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.
Online Submission
You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.
Hardcopy Submission
For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.
Late Submission
Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:
- Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
Referencing Requirements
The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.
Extensions and Penalties
Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.
Privacy Notice
The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.
Distribution of grades policy
Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.
Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.
Support for students
The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).
- ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
- ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
- ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
- ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
- ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
- ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
- PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students
Convener
Instructor
|
|
|||
Research Interests |
||||
Alexander Robinson
|
|
|