Course Syllabus

Syllabus Photography

Welcome

Welcome to Photography! We’re so glad you’re here.

Every lesson is designed to help you grow as a thinker, problem solver, and global learner. As a Mizzou Academy global student, you will complete lessons and assignments on your own schedule, interacting with course content, participating in interactives, and completing practice activities, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams.

To stay on track, we recommend using a pacing guide. You can find more information about pacing in the Course Resources section, along with helpful tools, technology support, and tips for online learning success. If you want to keep track of target completion dates and points earned, you can use this template.

As you begin, remember that online learning requires both independence and communication. Be curious, stay organized, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your teacher if you need support.

We’re excited to learn with you, and we’re happy you’re part of our Mizzou Academy community! 

Pacing

This course can be completed in as few as six weeks or take up to 6 months (180 calendar days). The six weeks are counted from the date of the first lesson submission and not the date of enrollment.

This course is asynchronous, meaning you can complete lessons and assignments at your own pace.

Most students spend approximately 10 hours per lesson interacting with course content, participating in interactive activities, and completing practice exercises, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams. Your time may vary depending on your goals and learning style. 

We encourage you to work at a consistent pace, allowing time to absorb new ideas, build skills, and reflect on what you’ve learned. Use a pacing guide to plan ahead, stay organized, and finish strong. 

Course Description

In this introductory photography course, students will learn the art of photography and develop basic photographing techniques to create their own photographs using artistic principles. Lesson topics include photography as an art; portrait, action, architecture, landscape, animal, and still life photography; and even stop-motion video. Students will need a smartphone or digital camera for their assignments.

This course is designed to give you a basic understanding of photography and design principles and to facilitate a joy of photography. Through this course, you will be taken through a number of projects that will take you beyond being a person who casually captures photos and turn you into someone who thinks about how you compose photos artistically.

The course will begin by looking at photography as an art form, looking at photographs for their composition, color, and overall design.  Your assignments will help you learn how take action photos, portraits, as well as landscape photos all with a smartphone or simple digital camera. Along the way, you will be building a portfolio of your best work for the final project in this course, which is your opportunity to show your growth and abilities as a photographer.

Photography has provided the opportunity for people to see the world in ways that they have never seen it before. It has the power to isolate the beauty and drama of the complex world in which we live. It can also make visible much of the inconsistency, emotion, and wonder we often do not see. Like all art, the most wonderful thing about photography is the way it shapes our vision to see the richness that surrounds our lives. Enjoy this course as you are introduced to an exciting new way of seeing.

Course Essential Questions


How is photography a form of art?

How can you develop the skills to be able to communicate to others through photography?

Course Overview

Lesson

Objectives

Quiz

Assignment

1: What is Photography?
  • 1.1 - explain the basic principles of photography.
  • 1.2 - define and explain why light, time, and subject are considered the three building blocks of photography.
  • 1.3 - explore and explain the many artistic choices you make when you take a photograph.
  • 1.4 - explore and explain the various types of cameras, lenses, filters, and film.
  • 1.5 - explore and explain the development of photography as a science and an art.

Lesson 1 Quiz (20 MC Questions, 1 Point Each)

No Assignment

2: Photography as an Art - Composition Techniques
  • 2.1 - define art elements appropriate to photography.
  • 2.2 - identify and apply art principles in photography.
  • 2.3 - describe and organize art elements in a photograph using the art principles.
  • 2.4 - demonstrate good composition when taking a photograph.
  • 2.5 - list information in making artistic choices in photography.
  • 2.6 - evaluate changes in photography from the late 1800s to today.

Lesson 2 Quiz (20 MC Questions, 1 Point Each)

Lesson 2 Assignment - Composing Your Own Photos (25 Points)

3: Black and White Photography
  • 3.1 - explain the basics of using a camera.
  • 3.2 - explain the basics of lighting.
  • 3.3 - explain three essential components of exposures.
  • 3.4 - explain the basics of using a digital camera.
  • 3.5 - explain how to "process" digital images on a computer.
  • 3.6 - explain how to make black-and-white images from digital photographs.

Lesson 3 Quiz (20 MC Questions, 1 Point Each)

No Assignment

4: Portrait Photography
  • 4.1 - explore the effect of light on photographing portraits.
  • 4.2 - identify and describe specific photographic lenses for each portrait style.
  • 4.3 - identify types of accessories that make photographing portraits easier.
  • 4.4 - identify the correct film speed appropriate for portrait photography.
  • 4.5 - identify the appropriate camera format for portrait photography.
  • 4.6 - apply art elements and design principles when photographing portraits.
  • 4.7 - describe and identify a variety of portrait styles.
  • 4.8 - retouch portraits digitally.

Lesson 4 Quiz (20 MC Questions, 1 Point Each)

Lesson 4 Assignment: Taking Your Own Portraits (25 Points)

5: Action Photography
  • 5.1 - distinguish and explain the effects of different shutter speeds on moving objects.
  • 5.2 - identify and explain the kinds of film and ISO settings to use for action photography.
  • 5.3 - recognize and explain the kinds of lenses and accessories to use when taking action photographs.
  • 5.4 - define, distinguish, and explain the three methods for capturing action: freezing, blurring, and panning.
  • 5.5 - recognize and explain how to use design principles and art elements to create action photos.

Lesson 5 Quiz (20 MC Questions, 1 Point Each)

No Assignment

Midterm Exam

6: Architecture and Landscape Photography
  • 6.1 - define exterior architectural photography and take photographs in the style
  • 6.2 - define interior architectural photography and take photographs in the style
  • 6.3 - utilize basic composition principles in landscape photography
  • 6.4 - define landscape photography and take landscape photographs according to these principles

 

Lesson 6 Quiz (20 MC Questions, 1 Point Each)

No Assignment

7: Still Life and Animal Photography
  • 7.1 - define and take a found still photograph
  • 7.2 - define and take an arranged still photograph
  • 7.3 - define and take an animal portrait photograph
  • 7.4 - define and take an animal candid photograph

Lesson 7 Quiz (20 MC Questions, 1 Point Each)

Lesson 7 Assignment - Architecture and Landscape, Still Life, and Animal  Photography (25 Points)

8: Getting Creative - Part 1
  • 8.1 - define forced perspective as a photography technique
  • 8.2 - successfully stage and take forced perspective photos
  • 8.3 - describe the process for taking excellent food photographs
  • 8.4 - take your own food photographs with excellent lighting and staging

Lesson 8 Quiz (20 MC Questions, 1 Point Each)

No Assignment

9: Getting Creative - Part 2
  • 9.1 - describe the process for creating stop-motion video, including staging, stability, and consistent lighting
  • 9.2 - create your own stop-motion video from stills

Lesson 9 Quiz (20 MC Questions, 1 Point Each)

Lesson 9 Assignment - Forced Perspective, Food Photography, and Stop-Motion Video (25 Points)

10: Portfolio Project
  • 10.1 - determine your best 10 photographs you've taken during this course
  • 10.2 - evaluate your own work and describe the photographic techniques that were used 

No Quiz

No Assignment 

Final Exam

 

Grades

Your final grade will be based on the number of points you earn on submitted work and exams. The available points are distributed as follows:

Source Available Points
Lesson Assignments 100
Lesson Quizzes 180
Midterm Exam 250
Final Exam 170
Total 700

 

Textbook & Technology Requirements

To fully participate, make sure you have:

  • A computer that meets our Mizzou Academy technology requirements
  • A microphone and webcam for recording audio and video assignments
  • Any other required textbooks or materials for the course

Textbook

No textbook is required for this course.  All course materials are provided within Canvas.

Materials

You are required to have access to some type of digital camera. It can be a phone camera or a dedicated digital camera, but you will be required to take photos and upload them to Canvas. 

Technology

The most up-to-date requirements can be found here: 

Additional requirements for the course are below: 

  • audio and video recording capabilities (e.g., smartphone, camera)

If you ever have trouble accessing course materials or recording tools, reach out to your teacher for support. We are here to help!

Accessibility

If you anticipate barriers related to the format or requirements of this course, please let Mizzou Academy know as soon as possible. If disability-related accommodations are necessary (for example, a scribe, reader, extended time on exams, captioning), please contact Mizzou Academy.

Canvas Technical Support

Canvas will be used as the primary platform for accessing course materials and assignments for this class.