Electronic Imaging I
GRC 183 - Fall 2005
Course Syllabus

Instructor: Michael Meagher Phone: 702-651-4162
Web Site: http://www.ccsn.nevada.edu/cg/meagher
E-mail: michael_meagher@ccsn.edu
Credits: 3 (2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab, and 2 hours outside lab per week)
Prerequisite: GRC 103
Text: Adobe Photoshop CS2 Classroom in a Book by Adobe Press

Course Catalog Description:
Scanning and working with photographic and illustrative images using Adobe Photoshop. Hands-on projects dealing with photo correction, manipulation, compositing, and illustrative design. Explore the tools and basic features of this industry-leading image manipulation application.

Course Schedule:
Click on this link for Mon. - Wed. schedule.
Click on this link for Tue. schedule.

Course Performance Objectives:
The student will be able to successfully:

  1. Select, configure, and operate hardware and software used for electronic imaging
  2. Capture black-and-white and color images using flatbed and film scanners
  3. Access CD-ROM images
  4. Correct damaged photographic images using Photoshop
  5. Modify and control color, density, contrast, and sharpness using Photoshop
  6. Work with selections, masks, layers, and channels to prepare a professional project
  7. Select, manipulate, and work with multiple graphic formats
  8. Resize and convert Photoshop images to the appropriate size, and file format to meet the requirements of the project or output device
  9. Output digital images to desktop printers and burn CD-ROMs
  10. Organize, format, and prepare files for web output
    11.

General Course Requirements:

  1. Maintain a notebook with all lecture materials, notes, and handouts
  2. Scan a minimum 2 grayscale and 10 color images
  3. Output a minimum of 2 black and white and 4-color prints
  4. Complete all assigned exercises and a minimum of 3 practical projects
  5. Complete quizzes, midterm exam, and final exam

Equipment and Supplies:

  1. The student will need to have regular access to a computer with Adobe Photoshop 7.0 software. The minimum recommended Random Access Memory (RAM) is 128 Mb to efficiently complete the projects.
  2. The student will need to purchase at least two 250 Mb Zip disks for image storage and backup. The discs can either be Macintosh or PC formatted to be used at school, however PC format is recommended if the disk will be used outside of class on a PC. The student will also have to purchase at least six sheets of high quality photo ink jet paper and an ink jet cartridge for the color printer. The average cost of supplies will be approximately $70.00.

Course Outline:

I. Systems Design and Management
a) Hardware Configurations
b) Software Configurations

II. Adobe Photoshop Software
a) Scanning Corrections
b) Compositing, Pasting, and Assembly Functions
c) Selection Tools and Image Manipulations
d) Fills, Borders, and Strokes
e) Bitmapped and Raster Text
f) Image Channels and Layers
g) Pen Tools, Paths, and Masks
h) Modes, Colors, Filters, and Creative Options

III. Scanning
a) Scanning Concepts, File Sizes, and Storage
b) Black and White Flatbed and Film Scanning
c) Color Flatbed and Film Scanning
d) Photo-CD and CD-ROM Image Access
e) Digital Camera Image Capture

IV. Image Manipulation
a) Black and White Photoshop Manipulations
b) Color Photoshop Manipulations
c) Photoshop Filters
d) File Formats and Conversions

V. Image Output
a) Laser Printer and Ink-Jet Output
b) Web Page Images


Evaluation:
For each assignment given, the student will receive a list of requirements specific to that assignment, either from the textbook, or in the form of a handout. Grades will be based on how many of the requirements have been met, and to what level of mastery each of the criteria has been demonstrated.


Grading System:

  1. Grades are given for work completed on a class notebook, course labs, course projects, and final assessments.
  2. Extra credit is not given.
  3. A "D" is acceptable as a passing grade if the course is to be used as a general requirement or elective, but will not transfer to another school. An "F" constitutes non-completion. This grade requires the course to be retaken and no credit is issued.
  4. "I" - Incomplete grades are generally not given except for unusual medical hardship. If the student is unable to complete the work, it is assumed that she/he will withdraw.
  5. "W" - An administrative withdraw is not automatically issued by the instructor. If the student wishes to withdraw, she/he is asked to first notify the instructor and then proceed to the admissions office. At the end of the course, a student may request that the teacher issue a "W" grade. If a request is not made, the final grade for non-completion will be an "F ".

As in the commercial world, deadlines are strictly adhered to. If a project is not presented on time, the highest grade that project will can receive is a B. This is the highest grade possible even if the project has met all of the criteria. This grade cannot be improved, upgraded, or replaced by extra credit. According to the Media Technologies department, there are no exceptions to this policy!

A project presented on time which receives a grade lower than the student wishes may be resubmitted with the handout for a better grade. Redos are not an automatic improvement on grades and may be submitted to the instructor up to two class meetings after the original deadline. The project's grade cannot be improved after that time.

Copyright Infringement:
All images scanned and used must be personal pictures and negatives. Commercially printed images or artwork will not be accepted. If any copyright rules are violated the student will be given 0 points for the assignment. There are no make-ups or improving the grade if any copyright rules are violated.


Critique:
Since this program is part of a commercial photography program, critiques are handled as if the instructor was an art director or client and the student is the imager working for that art director or client. Therefore, assignments must meet with the specific instructors guidelines and preferences. Much of being a professional imager involves being able to take direction. The student is given specific guidelines and is encouraged to follow them closely.

Critique Process:
Occasionally images are graded in a class group critique. Participation in critique is essential to the evaluation procedure, and every student is expected to attend with his/her completed projects.

Final Assessment:
At the end of the semester a comprehensive final project will be administered. This is a performance based evaluation.


Attendance:
Roll call is not taken except to familiarize the instructor with the students. While attendance is not taken each day of class, every lecture and demonstration provides a valuable learning experience, and these experiences cannot be made up. The class moves forward at an extremely fast pace. Class progress and instruction will not be delayed to bring a student current, who has missed class. If a student absolutely must miss class, it is recommended that he/she have another student tape the lecture or borrow notes of the class demonstration. If the student must miss class, we request that she/he not telephone the photo lab, or the division office.


Notebook:
The student will maintain a notebook containing all lecture information, handouts, steps, and assignments. This information must be submitted in a three ring binder for grading the final day of class.

Disability Resource Center:
If you have a documented disability that may require assistance, you will need to contact the Disability Resource Center located in the Student Service Center on each campus. The DRC can be contacted at the following numbers: Cheyenne Campus 651-4045, Henderson 651-3086, and West Charleston 651-5089.
For those students that would like to earn a little extra cash, stop by the Disability Resource Center to fill out a job interest card. This office hires students as note takers, readers, proctors, scribes, lab assistants, and research assistants as needed.

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Free Success Planning Appointments are available. The staff of the Retention Office is committed to helping you succeed at CCSN by sitting down with you, assessing your needs and getting you plugged in to CCSN's many resources.

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