| CODE | MCS1012 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Analogue Photography and the Darkroom | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Media and Communications | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit is intended as an introduction to first year BFA students to the use of equipment, explaining the different techniques needed for effective use. No previous knowledge in dark room use is neccessary. The taught sessions are based on technical explanations, examples of work for modelling purposes, as well as demonstrations. Students will also do practical work based on briefs given and assessed by the lecturer. Students are encouraged to use the dark room and other facilities based in the Faculty of MaKS, also outside lecturing time. The study-unit will include, but not exclusively, the following: - Introduction to the various types of analogue cameras. - The principle of the optical system. - The control of light through aperture and shutter speed including the relationstip between them. - Measurement of light falling on the film surface by means of exposure meters. - Depth of field and its effect on the image. - Types of film, film speed, grain, DX system. - The chemical involvement in B & W film and film developement into negatives. - The photogram as a means of expression. - Printing paper for B&W pictures. - Selecting negatives to be printed from a contact sheet. - Printing from B&W negatives. - Perfecting a print through cropping, dodging and burning in. - Cleaning a print through ‘touching and spotting’. - Presentation of work through correct mounting. - Simple experimentation through home made texture screens. - Sepra toning practice. Study-Unit Aims: The study-unit is intended as a hands-on learning experience for creative students who might be handling analogue and darkroom equipment for the first time. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Use well knowledge of aperture, shutter speed, exposure, lenses; - Understand Depth of Field as well as the relationship between aperture and shutter speeds; - Choose between different types of film; - Understand film speed, grain, the DX system; - Choose the right paper for B & W printing through learning about grade, texture, colour, variable contrast. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Work with analog cameras; - Develop their own black and white; and sepia photographs; - Use the different chemicals needed for the processing of monochrome photographs; - Use the enlarger in a darkroom. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Allen, E., & Triantaphillidou, S. (2011). The Manual of Photography. Oxford, EN: Elsevier, Science. - Anchell, S. (2016). The Darkroom Cookbook (Alternative Process Photography). Oxford, UK: Routledge. - Carren, J. (2015). Darkroom Photography: The Complete Guide to Mastering the Basics of Darkroom Photography. Seattle, WA: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. - Gaunt, L. (1978). The Focal Guide to the Darkroom. London, EN: Focal Press. - Horenstein, H, & Keller, C. (2005). Black and White Photography: a basic manual (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Little, Brown. - Langford, M., Fox, A., & Sawdon Smith, R. (2010). Langford’s Basic Photography. Oxford, EN: Focal Press. - Marquardt, C. (2016). The Film Photography Handbook: Rediscovering Photography in 35 mm, Medium, and Large Format. Santa Barbara, CA: Rocky Nook. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Alfred Cauchi |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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