VDES70031
Small Product Photography		 Sheridan
 
  I: Administrative Information   II: Course Details   III: Topical Outline(s)  Printable Version
 

Land Acknowledgement

Sheridan College resides on land that has been, and still is, the traditional territory of several Indigenous nations, including the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Wendat, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We recognize this territory is covered by the Dish with One Spoon treaty and the Two Row Wampum treaty, which emphasize the importance of joint stewardship, peace, and respectful relationships.

As an institution of higher learning Sheridan embraces the critical role that education must play in facilitating real transformational change. We continue our collective efforts to recognize Canada's colonial history and to take steps to meaningful Truth and Reconciliation.
Section I: Administrative Information
  Total hours: 42.0
Credit Value: 3.0
Credit Value Notes: N/A
Effective: Winter 2024
Prerequisites: VDES70029
Corequisites: N/A
Equivalents: N/A
Pre/Co/Equiv Notes: N/A

Program(s): Digital Photography
Program Coordinator(s): N/A
Course Leader or Contact: N/A
Version: 20240108_00
Status: Approved (APPR)

Section I Notes: This course is offered on-campus. The sessions may include a variety of interactive and engaging activities including discussions, workshops, group activities, role plays, case studies and presentations. Readings, video, and podcasts may be provided online, on Sheridan's Learning and Teaching Environment (SLATE), to support class activities and reinforce material covered during class sessions. Assignment details will be provided in class and on SLATE. Students will need reliable access to the internet.
 
 
Section II: Course Details

Detailed Description
Utilize an advanced learning approach which requires previous exposure to photographic theories and applications. Emphasis is placed on photographic concepts, design principles, and the generation of creative solutions to meet the needs of the product advertising. Learn about small product photography, rules of design, and tungsten lighting techniques.

Program Context

 
Digital Photography Program Coordinator(s): N/A
This is an elective course in the Digital Photography Certificate.


Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes

  Critical Performance:
By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to produce creative photographs of a variety of small objects under diverse shooting and lighting conditions.
 
Learning Outcomes:

To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Identify elements of effective product photography.
  2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of how to deconstruct existing images to understand lighting technique.
  3. Demonstrate best practices for studio equipment handling, setup, and studio safety.
  4. Set up studio strobes, continuous lights and speedlights to suit the subject matter.
  5. Set up backgrounds, flags, gobos, and other light modifiers to contrl light to suit the subject matter.
  6. Demonstrate the use of a light meter.
  7. Deploy techniques such as composition, depth of field, lighting, and backgrounds to create dynamic imagery.
  8. Distinguish between the different electronic file formats and their best use.
  9. Create print production reading electronic files with clipping paths.
  10. Exhibit professional behaviour and attitudes including openness to peer and instructor critiques, willingness to work collaboratively in teams, and commitment to meeting project deadlines.

Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

 Evaluation Plan: IN-CLASS
 Assignment #1: Inspirational Product Photography5.0%
 Assignment #2: Studio Lighting and Control5.0%
 Assignment #3: Post Production Prowess15.0%
 Assignment #4: Reflections and Translucency20.0%
 Assignment #5: Food Photography25.0%
 Assignment #6: Student's Choice30.0%
Total100.0%

Evaluation Notes and Academic Missed Work Procedure:
Students demonstrate their learning through take home assignments, in class projects and classroom participation in critiques. The assignments and projects will assess students' understanding of studio lighting, surfaces, textures, reflections and translucency, setup and styling of products and post production techniques. Students will capture and edit their own images, as well as edit images supplied by the instructor. Appropriate file formatting and naming conventions are necessary for successful completion of a project or assignment. Students are asked to bring various objects no larger than grapefruits to studio classes to photograph.

Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Colleges and Universities requirements:

 

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact (if course is PLAR-eligible) - Office of the Registrar
Students may apply to receive credit by demonstrating achievement of the course learning outcomes through previous relevant work/life experience, service, self-study and training on the job. This course is eligible for challenge through the following method(s):

  • Portfolio
    Notes:  Both a portfolio and interview are required.
  • Interview
    Notes:  Both a portfolio and interview are required.
 
 
Section III: Topical Outline
Some details of this outline may change as a result of circumstances such as weather cancellations, College and student activities, and class timetabling.
Instruction Mode: In-Class
Professor: Multiple Professors
Resource(s): N/A
Applicable student group(s): Continuing Education Students
Course Details:

Module 1

  • Review the anatomy of a digital camera, terminology, and operation
  • Review of studio lighting, metering, grip equipment and modifiers
  • ASSIGNMENT #1 Briefing: Inspirational Product Photography fromthe World Around Us (5%)
  • Bring items no smaller than a grapefruit to each studio session
  • Introduction to the clipping path


Module 2 

  • ASSIGNMENT #1 due at the beginning of class
  • Review and group critique of ASSIGNMENT #1
  • Discussion and review of Electronic File Formats
  • Clipping Path review
  • Discussion and lab time for Photoshop image editing techniques


Module 3

  • ASSIGNMENT #2 Briefing and Studio Time: Studio Lighting and Control (5%)


Module 4

  • ASSIGNMENT #3 Briefing and Lab Time: Post Production Prowess (15%)
  • Discussion and lab time for Photoshop image editing techniques


Module 5

  • Introduction to multiple Speedlight setups
  • Team based studio lighting setup: teams are determined by products brought to photograph
  • Teams set up lights, metering, and grip equipment
  • Each student to photograph their product with one of the lighting setups


Module 6

  • ASSIGNMENT #3 due at the beginning of class
  • Discussion and lab time for Photoshop image editing techniques
  • Introduction on how to deconstruct existing images to discover lighting techniques
  • ASSIGNMENT #4 briefing: Surfaces, Reflections, and Translucency (20%)


Module 7

  • ASSIGNMENT #4 Studio time
  • Review and critique during development of ASSIGNMENT #4
  • ASSIGNMENT #5 briefing: Food Photography (25%)


Module 8

  • ASSIGNMENT #4 due at the beginning of class
  • Discussion and lab time for Photoshop image editing techniques
  • Review and critique of Part 1 of ASSIGNMENT #5


Module 9

  • ASSIGNMENT #5 Studio time


Module 10

  • ASSIGNMENT #5 review, critique, and development time
  • Discussion and lab time for Photoshop image editing techniques


Module 11

  • ASSIGNMENT #5 due at the beginning of class
  • Discussion and lab time for Photoshop image editing techniques
  • FINAL PROJECT briefing (30%)


Module 12

  • FINAL PROJECT review, critique, and development time
  • FINAL PROJECT due via email on last week

Sheridan Policies

It is recommended that students read the following policies in relation to course outlines:

  • Academic Integrity
  • Copyright
  • Intellectual Property
  • Respectful Behaviour
  • Accessible Learning
All Sheridan policies can be viewed on the Sheridan policy website.

Appropriate use of generative Artificial Intelligence tools: In alignment with Sheridan's Academic Integrity Policy, students should consult with their professors and/or refer to evaluation instructions regarding the appropriate use, or prohibition, of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for coursework. Turnitin AI detection software may be used by faculty members to screen assignment submissions or exams for unauthorized use of artificial intelligence.

Course Outline Changes: The information contained in this Course Outline including but not limited to faculty and program information and course description is subject to change without notice. Nothing in this Course Outline should be viewed as a representation, offer and/or warranty. Students are responsible for reading the Important Notice and Disclaimer which applies to Programs and Courses.
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