Continuing Education . Pre-College . Classes . Photography

Photography

Use the fundamentals of photography to explore the world around you.

Session 1: July 7–19, 2024

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A student stands in front of a wall where many photographs are pinned.

A brightly colored example of student work from the Photography class.

A student and instructor working on editing photos for a project.

A student setting up a digital camera for a photo shoot.

An example of black and white photography from Pre-College students.

Students lay out various photographs for review.

Black and white photographs from Pre-College students.

A high-contrast photograph captured by a Pre-College student.

Students will gain knowledge through technical training in camera controls, darkroom and inkjet printing, basic studio lighting, digital editing, and gallery installation techniques. In addition, the class will focus on the rules of composition, contemporary concepts, and examples of historical and contemporary photographic works of art. Students will engage in a collaborative studio environment, contribute to and receive constructive critique, establish critical thinking skills, and form a photographic vision while developing personal projects. Demonstrations, lectures, and assignments will take place in the traditional darkroom, digital lab, lighting studio, and during field trips to various locations.

No previous photography experience required.

It is strongly recommended that students bring their own digital SLR camera with the ability to set their cameras to raw. An external hard drive for digital file storage is a must-have.

Projects

The first week of this course will include an introduction to the darkroom and the processes related to it. Visits to the Cleveland Botanical Gardens and other organizations in the area will act as sources of inspiration for photos.

During week two, the focus will shift to digital photography, including editing images and large format printing.

Projects and topics that will be explored include darkroom processes and safety, pinhole cameras, composition and design as they relate to photography, best practices when saving and editing images, and studio and lighting set up.