Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE MCS3012

 
TITLE Analogue, Monochrome Photography and Darkroom

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Media and Communications

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit is primary based on the use of equipment and technique. No previous knowledge in dark room use is neccessary, but one needs to be ready to get deeply involved. The teaching sessions are enhanced with examples, demonstrations, and practical work. Activity time is not limited to lecture time only but students are able and encouraged to use the dark room and other facilities found in the Department, outside lecture time.

The study-unit will include the following topics:

- Types of cameras;
- Aperture, shutter speed, exposure, lenses;
- Depth of Field, relationship between aperture and shutter speed;
- Types of film, film speed, grain, DX system, chose of film for a particular situation;
- Paper for B & W printing – including grade, texture, colour, variable contrast (VC);
- The photogram;
- Developing a B & W film;
- Printing from B & W negatives – including dodging, cropping, burning in, etc;
- Making a contact sheet;
- Filters and their use;
- Experimenting with texture screens – ‘home make’ and commertial;
- Toning;
- Inking/pencilling, dying, solarisation, vignetting;
- Presentation – including ‘touching and spotting’, mounting, etc;
- The students must present an assignment at the end of the unit.

Study-Unit Aims:

The study-unit is intended to stimulate the imagination and make the students produce original work of a high standard.

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.
- Croy, O. R. (1972). Design by Photography. London, EN: Focal Press.
- 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.
- Sheppard, J. (1976). Photography for Designers. London, EN: Focal Press.
- Spitzing, G. (1979). The Focal Guide to Enlarging. London, EN: Focal Press.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Project SEM2 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Alfred Cauchi

 

 
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 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit