Photography

Upper School students can take both Beginning Photography and Advanced Photography classes. Beginning Photography classes are introductory level and meet twice a cycle. Advanced Photography courses and meet four times per cycle. Both beginning and advanced courses may be repeated.

Beginning Photography students explore the art of seeing and self-expression in black and white photography. The class introduces the use of the 35 mm camera, film exposure and processing, and darkroom printing. Equal emphasis is given to technical understanding and compositional ideas. The course briefly explores the history of photography and the role of aesthetic principles in making strong images.

Advanced Photography is designed for students who have already developed photographic skills. It explores various styles of shooting: landscape, documentary, and portraiture, with an emphasis on developing a point of view. Students learn to use different films such as black and white, infra-red, and slow ISO films. Toning prints are also part of the curriculum. This course includes a unit on digital color photography in which students shoot with digital cameras provided by the school, manipulate the print in Photoshop, and learn the mechanics of color printing. The course will also help students interested in pursuing the visual arts in college prepare a portfolio for the college admissions process.