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Course Syllabus

ART 2520 Land & Place Photography

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Visual Art
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 3
  • Semesters Offered: TBA
  • Semester Approved: Fall 2026
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2031
  • End Semester: Summer 2032
  • Optimum Class Size: 12
  • Maximum Class Size: 12

Course Description

This photography course explores our connection to land and place as it relates to the natural and built environment, cultural identity, and photographic representation in contemporary culture. Students will spend significant time photographing in the field and will participate in several field trips during class hours throughout the semester. Topics include traditional and experimental methods in landscape photography, camera operation, various camera formats, software image editing, fine art printing, exhibition presentation, historical and contemporary perspectives, and conceptual approaches used in making compelling images. Camera equipment is available for student use. A program fee is required.

Justification

Landscape is a fundamental genre of photography and serves as a key indicator of cultural identity and how communities interact with the environment. This course will prepare students to transfer after completing their degree and will aid them to work in the commercial industry. This course is offered on campuses across the country in similar formats and throughout the USHE system.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. MATERIAL PROFICIENCY: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in materials as applied to a range of concepts and field techniques used in the production of landscape and environmental photographs.
  2. CONCEPTUAL PRINCIPLES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to identify conceptual principles including discernment between material, formal and conceptual issues, problem solving, and communication as applied to their creative process in landscape photography.
  3. HISTORICAL CONTEXT: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to discuss and apply historical examples of landscape photography to help contextualize their own photographs and the work of other photographers working in landscape photography.
  4. CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to critically analyze the creative process including materials, concepts, historical context, conceptual merit, and effective visual communication as it applies to the theory and images of the landscape and built environment.
  5. CREATIVE PROCESS: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to utilize the creative process as it applies to the production of landscape photographs using research, field experience, camera and editing tools, and reflection.

Course Content

This course will include lectures, discussions, critiques, and applied projects as they apply to the following topics in landscape photography: camera operation, various camera formats, the use of seasonal natural light, shooting on location in the field, formal and exploratory aesthetics, image editing software, fine art archival printing, exhibition presentation, historical and contemporary movements in landscape photography, and analysis of contemporary photographers working in the landscape and built environment genre. Students will complete a culminating final portfolio designed to build on their technical skill set and explore their personal creative practice.