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Unit of study_

AWSS2023: Architectural Photography

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal evening] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This practical unit assumes students have little or no understanding of photo image making. It aims to give students an understanding of how photography functions as a contemporary visual medium, including its connection to modernism and architecture. Students will gain knowledge of the principles and practise of camera operations, the production of high quality black and white prints. This module covers the use of a 35mm DSLR camera, image composition, use of lighting, image capture and correction, and printing. Practical work includes completion of set class projects, gallery visits, class discussions and the production of a portfolio. *Students should have access to a 35mm DSLR camera.

Unit details and rules

Unit code AWSS2023
Academic unit Architecture
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
DESA2629
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Koji Ryui, koji.ryui@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Creative assessment / demonstration Embodied spaces
Assignment
35% STUVAC
Due date: 29 May 2023 at 18:00
Five A3 images pdf submitted via Canvas
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Process journal
Journal
40% STUVAC
Due date: 02 Jun 2023 at 23:59
A4 Process Journal pdf via Canvas
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Creative assessment / demonstration Exploring the frame
Assignment
25% Week 06
Due date: 27 Mar 2023 at 18:00
Four A4 images pdf submitted via Canvas
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Journal (formative)
Journal
0% Week 06
Due date: 31 Mar 2023 at 23:59
Process entries from week 1-5
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Assessment summary

  • Exploring the frame: Produce a series of photographic prints exploring the frame, using light and shadow in black and
    white. Your final works should demonstrate an engagement with the techniques and processes of digital photography in both technical and artistic ways.
  • Embodied spaces: Produce a series of colour photographic prints investigating a space, dwelling, building or site in colour. Further developing skills gained in assignment 1, your final works should demonstrate a keen engagement with the techniques and processes of digital photography.
  • Process journal: Your studio journal should include - visual research and relevant technical records, Artist research, required readings and gallery reviews, engagement in class discussions, evidence of regular reflection on research and its relevance to your work practice. Camera exercises 1 and 2.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes
assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical
analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes
assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis,
synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.

Credit

65 - 74

Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the
learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the
learning outcomes assessed.

Pass

50 - 64

Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes
assessed.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Project 1&2 10% a day Journal 5% a day

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to Architectural Photography: Orientation Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Assignment 1 discussion, Overview DSLR digital camera controls, Camera exercise Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Overview of DSLR camera controls & revision. Bracketing technique and combining the aperture & shutter speed, Digital contact sheet. Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Review of Work in Progress for Assignment 1 / Adobe tutorials Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Work in Progress- for Assignment 1/ Adobe tutorial Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Present final images for Assignment 1 Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Lecture on Assignment 2, WB control and colour, Slow timed exposures 2 sec, 4 sec, 6 secs (ghosting effect). Tripod technique. Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Studio Lighting demo. Metering and short camera exercise for journal / working on Assignment 2 proposal/ work on slow timed exposures with your camera, optical filter effects Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Image Overlay, Image layering and editing applications. Multiple exposure technique and application Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 In class feedback on Assignment 2 proposal. Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Discussion on how a photography series is constructed, editing, working on Assignment 2 WIP. Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 A3 image layout and portfolio requirements for assessment. Photoshop settings on how to make a A3 contact sheet showing the Assignment 2 sequence of 5 images Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 14 (STUVAC) Presentation: ASSIGNMENT 2 Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Weekly participation in this unit is absolutely essential. Please refer to Canvas for any updates, handouts and weekly schedule.

Contact Hours: 3 hours per week
Independent Study: In addition to 3 contact hours per week, students are expected to spend 6 -12 hours per week on independent study for this unit.
Absence: If you are absent from a class it is important that you do the work missed in class in your own time and submit the work for assessment at the specified time.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

To be advised via Canvas

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. critically engage with ideas in the field of contemporary visual communication in relation to historical, social and theoretical context of Photography. To be open to new ideas, methods, ways of thinking. To explore critical inquiry through a historic, philosophical, social, political or cultural framework
  • LO2. develop a critical awareness of the complex relationship between aesthetics and the lived environment
  • LO3. use a range of secondary and primary research sources to develop your thinking an ideas for practical work and integrate them into photographic practice and written documentation. To make effective use of oral, visual and other forms of communication to critique, negotiate, create and communicate understanding
  • LO4. explore a variety of photographic techniques in order to determine what will best serve the realization of the proposed artwork
  • LO5. think and work independently, while contributing to group situations and plan, and achieve goals. To acknowledge personal responsibility for value judgments and behavior. To be able to relate and interact and work with others.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Unit is constantly updated in consultation with the tutor

No class in week 9 due to public holiday, final presentations in week 14 to minimise assessment clashes.

The unit may be adjusted for each session with variations for CC or RE mode deliveries. Please refer to information and materials provided on Canvas for any changes and updates. 

 

Additional costs

Students are required to pay an additional material fee online on week 2 the latest. Payment receipt to be checked by the tutor in week 3. Students who have not completed the payment will lose access to materials required for this unit of study. Payment method will be advised via Canvas. There may be additional costs for outputting digital prints and proof sheets. Please top up your unikey account before printing.

Work, health and safety

*Studnets are required to wear appropriate footwear to enter labs and workshops

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.