Studio of Classic Photography 1

Display Schedule

Code	Completion	Credits	Range	Language Instruction	Semester
307EAC1	ZK	4	24S	English	winter

Subject guarantor

Martin STECKER

Name of lecturer(s)

Martin STECKER

Learning outcomes of the course unit

The classical photography studio focuses on technological procedures and processes in the generation of photography. The content arises from the assumption that the student must master particular technical tasks which open a path to the realization of one's artistic intentions. Procedures are analysed with students which lead to priorly established goals. Part of instruction is a comparison of various technology and their limitations which often may become the single bearer of implementation of the selected intent.

Mode of study

Exercise analysis, projection work in relation to the topic, independent creative work.

Prerequisites and co-requisites

Studio exercise for Winter semester 2018 is „Islands in Prague“.

Topic and examples

An island represents a multi-layered space of contradictory meanings. You can understand it as something that is insular and isolated on purpose, or as something that had become clearly delineated by virtue of its surrounding environment. You can view it as a point that is surrounded by the sea and that ships avoid, or as no man’s land that lures and tempts every adventurer and colonizer. But you can also think of it as the last refuge of shipwrecked people. Although by observing it from afar, an island might seem deserted, it can actually be the island with the most vibrant fauna, the richest flora, fascinating natives as well as a castaway and perhaps even the ship that got shipwrecked. What is then deserted, the island itself or rather the ocean that surrounds it? The city of Prague, which in itself is sort of an island compared to the rest of the country, consists of many small islands, islets, and archipelagos that will be your focus while working on the winter term assignment in the Studio of Classical Photography. You don’t need to understand an island only as something physical and geographical, even though the more than dozen Prague islands in the Vltava river are definitely worth a photographer’s attention, but you can also understand an island as imaginary and symbolic. Taken this way, you might find islands in patches of greenery surrounded by a concrete jungle, in areas connected through an architectural style (the affluent Ořechovka quarter or the historical slum Na Slatinách) or in fragments of the old world that is being swallowed by a new one (a garden enclave and the adjacent pub “U Buddyho” on Libeňský island). An island does not necessarily have to be viewed as a specific place with strictly defined boundaries. Among many other possible interpretations, you can understand it as a micro-cosm within the city (e.g. the Vietnamese minority and the Sapa market), as a space of deviation or resistance against mainstream society (subcultures) or as a place of voluntary refuge or forced exile away from the surrounding world (a community, a single individual). An island is a real or imaginary space intended for starting from scratch, for transformation, or destruction.

Course requirements

In order to successfully pass this course, it is essential to research and analyze the topic in the early stage and choose your personal photographic approach. When this is done, present it to the head of the Studio of Classical Photography. Having obtained approval, you will work systematically throughout the winter term and attend consultations that serve as a space for receiving constructive criticism of your work and suggestions for further progress. You are required to participate in these consultations and always present new work as your project is developing. The output of this course, which at the same time serves as your final exhibition series for this term, should be a coherent series of photographic prints or photography-based works. The technical rendition of this exercise is your own choice; nevertheless, the use of video and other media is not allowed.

Course contents

The first pillar of this studio is working with large-format photography. Students have the opportunity to work with negatives up to 18x26cm and to subsequently produce a traditional gelatine silver print up to a meter in dimension. Students, in the studio, are acquainted with classical color photography and selected color inversion materials.

Part of the studio is a workshop focused on historical photography techniques such as flexography, cyanotype, bromoil print or working with gelatine and its transfer to non-standard materials.

The second pillar of the studio is dedicated to technological innovations. This is research into and a judging of the potential of digital photography and other technologies which take part in the recording of an optical image. Also part of the studio are light sources, potential directed camera movement using a robotic head, recording from above with the use of possible managing the image using WIFI connections.

Assessment methods and criteria

Students may be graded based on attendance 90% and participation in group excursions. Each exercise will be graded according to the criteria given.

Note

none

	06:00–08:0008:00–10:0010:00–12:0012:00–14:0014:00–16:0016:00–18:0018:00–20:0020:00–22:0022:00–24:00
Mon
Tue	room 112 Room No. 112 (Lažanský palác) STECKER M. 09:00–17:15 (lecture parallel1)
Wed
Thu
Fri

Date	Day	Time	Tutor	Location	Notes	No. of paralel
	Tue	09:00–17:15	Martin STECKER	Room No. 112 Lažanský palác		lecture parallel1

Schedule for summer semester 2018/2019:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

The subject is a part of the following study plans

Photography EN - Bachelor-1819 (required subject)