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CTE/Arts, Entertainment & Design Curriculum Commercial Photography 1
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arrow icon Course Introduction

 

Core Standards of the Course

STRAND 1
Capture: Students will employ proper equipment, exposure, lighting modification, and optional accessories to capture photographic images utilizing compositional concepts and narratives.

Standard 1
Exposure: Students will navigate camera functions to create images with accurate exposure for their intended purpose.

  1. Exposure Triangle
    • Aperture
    • Shutter Speed
    • ISO

Standard 2
Composition: Students will represent compositional elements in their photographic work to develop visual literacy.

  1. Line (leading lines, static (horizontal/vertical), and dynamic lines (diagonal))
  2. Space (positive/negative, simplicity)
  3. Texture (visual)
  4. Framing (literal and subliminal)
  5. Rule of Thirds (engaging the viewer)
  6. Perspective
    • Linear (horizon line, vanishing point)
    • Atmospheric (foreground, middle ground, background)
    • Point of View (bird's eye, worm's eye, eye-level)
  7. Pattern and Repetition
  8. Balance
    • Symmetry vs. Asymmetry
    • Visual Weight
    • Proportion, Scale, Size
  9. Focal Point / Point of Emphasis (color, texture, size, contrast, light, pattern, etc.)
  10. Color and Mood

Standard 3
Explore Meaning and Context: Students will explore narrative and meaning as it relates to their photographic work.

  1. Generating Ideas (mood/vision board based on location, theme, client, or prompt, developing personal style ("aesthetic"), personal interests, branding, relevance, resonance, etc.)
  2. Sequencing and Storytelling (W's: what, why, when, where, who, how)
  3. Self-Reflection (analyze, evaluate, critique)

Performance Skills

  1. Compose photographic images that demonstrate successful use of various composition elements.
  2. Demonstrate proper use of the exposure triangle when photographing.
  3. Analyze, evaluate, and critique own photographic work and identify areas for improvement.

STRAND 2
Edit: Students will be able to use photo editing software to enhance images.

Standard 1
Transfer: Students will transfer images successfully to access them from other devices for editing purposes.

  1. Camera --> Memory Card --> Computer
    • Card --> Computer
    • Phone --> Computer
    • Computer --> Online

Standard 2
Editing: Students will employ editing tools in Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom to refine their photographic work.

  1. Global Adjustments (entire image)
    • Exposure, color, contrast, effects
    • Cropping
  2. Local Adjustments (selected parts of image)
    • Masking & Touch-up Tools (healing, clone stamp)

Performance Skills

  1. Submit and demonstrate an intentional and successfully edited photo including exposure, color, adjustments, and contrast.

STRAND 3
Output: Students will be able to save/export their photographic work in the appropriate size, resolution, format and mode for a variety of platforms. (Primary focus will be on DIGITAL output during Photo I. Print will be covered in depth in Photo II & III) Students will store their images in the appropriate location for future access.

Standard 1
Output Size, Resolution, Format, Mode for Location: Students will be able to save/export their photographic work in the appropriate size, resolution, format, and mode for a variety of platforms.

  1. To Digital Devices
    • 72 Pixels per Inch (PPI)
    • Format: JPG
  2. To Print
    • 300 DPI
    • Format: JPG, TIFF
  3. To Archive
    • Save to cloud, local computer, external drive
    • Keep original file and format

Performance Skills

  1. Submit a photo through a digital device.
  2. Submit a photo for print with the correct resolutions and formats.
  3. Save/store a photo to an archive source.

STRAND 4
Connect: Students will develop ideas in connection to other photographers and their work which inspires the student's own photographic interest.

Standard 1
Draw Inspiration from other Photographers: Students will develop ideas by exploring photographic works of other photographers and by analyzing, evaluating, and critiquing the significance of their selected photographers' work.

  1. Explore a variety of photographers and photographic styles.
  2. Analyze, evaluate, critique photographic works.

Performance Skills

  1. Select photographers who inspire the student's own photographic interests.
  2. Analyze, evaluate, and critique photographic works.

STRAND 5
Career Path: Students will explore an introduction to a variety of career paths in the photography industry. Students will develop fundamental work skills through their own photographic process.

Standard 1
Industry Knowledge: Students will explore career paths in the photography industry related to their personal interests.

Standard 2
Work Skills: Students will develop work skills through their own photographic process.

  1. Collaboration, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, dependability, and accountability.
  2. Legal Expectations (copyright and plagiarism basics)

Performance Skills

  1. Take photographs in the genre/interest that meets the genre expectations.
  2. Submit original work for all projects.

STRAND 6
Portfolio: Students will construct a digital portfolio to demonstrate their development in aesthetic literacy and curate their own work using compositional elements. The portfolio will serve as an assessment of student understanding through hands-on, process-based learning of each concept listed.

Standard 1
Composition (Digital) Portfolio: Students will curate a personal digital portfolio to demonstrate their development in aesthetic literacy through compositional elements.

  1. Student-selected projects/work (book, online portfolio, social media page, presentation).

Standard 2
Printed Work (optional): Students will display their work through local events.

Performance Skills

  1. Create a digital portfolio of student work.
  2. Display high-quality photographic works.

STRAND 7
Responsible Professionalism: Create skilled, career-ready, and responsible professionals.

Standard 1
Analyze the technical skills needed in Commercial Photography. Technical Skills: Technical skills are fundamental to performing tasks, solving problems, and ensuring the quality, safety, and efficiency of work in skilled and technical jobs. They are a key component of professional competence in these fields.

  1. Computer & Technology Literacy
  2. Understand job specific skills
  3. Safety & Health
  4. Service Orientation
  5. Professional Development

Standard 2
Analyze the personal skills needed in Commercial Photography. Personal Skills: Personal skills contribute to an individual's overall effectiveness and success in the workplace. Personal skills complement technical expertise, enhancing an individual's ability to work effectively, collaborate with others, and navigate the dynamic and challenging nature of skilled and technical jobs.

  1. Demonstrate reliability and integrity
  2. Demonstrate ethical behavior at all times
  3. Exhibit professionalism in your work
  4. Act Responsibility
  5. Show adaptability and flexibility
  6. Be self-motivated
  7. Identify and practice time management skills

Standard 3
Analyze the workplace skills needed in Commercial Photography. Workplace Skills: Workplace skills are crucial for success in skilled and technical jobs. These skills complement technical and personal skills and are often considered the foundation for effective job performance. They contribute to overall professionalism, effective communication, collaborative teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability in the dynamic and demanding work environments of technical fields.

  1. Effective communication
  2. Decision making capabilities
  3. Teamwork
  4. Planning, organizing, and the management of projects
  5. Leadership


UEN logo http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Kristina  Yamada and see the CTE/Arts, Entertainment & Design website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - THALEA  LONGHURST.

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Board of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Board of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.