40133 - AFPG - Lab-based Course on Photography I

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will have acquired a sound understanding of the fundamental theoretical principles of photography underlying the process of image making, in both analogue and digital media. Through the study of framing and composition, they will develop the technical skills necessary for the photographic representation of landscape and architecture.

Course contents

The laboratory introduces students to the fundamentals of photography as a tool for investigating architectural design, architecture, and the urban landscape.
Through lectures, practical exercises, and group critiques, the course addresses the principal aspects of photographic language, with particular attention to the relationship between observation, framing, light, space, and time.
The practical component of the course is centred on the development of a collective photographic research project on the city of Cesena. The project provides an opportunity to explore different approaches to reading urban space and to produce a shared visual representation of its transformations, characteristics, and the relationships between architecture, public space, and landscape.

Readings/Bibliography

Recommended readings for the course:

Adams Ansel, La fotocamera, Zanichelli, Milano, 1989

Adams Robert, La bellezza in fotografia.. Saggi in difesa dei valori tradizionali, Bollati Boringhieri, 1995

Schwarz Heinrich, Arte e Fotografia, Bollati Boringhieri editore s.r.l., Torino, 1992

Parr Martin, Badger Gerry, Photobook: a history, Vol.1, Vol.2, Vol. 3 Phaidon

Shore Stephen, Lezioni di fotografia, Phaidon, 2009

Szarkowsky John, L'occhio della fotografia, Five continents Edition, 2007

Teaching methods

The course combines lectures, presentations of photographers and photographic projects, practical exercises, fieldwork, and group critiques.
Teaching activities are organised around a collective photographic research project on the city of Cesena, developed through discussion and critical review sessions aimed at fostering a shared interpretation of the urban context.

Assessment methods

The final examination will consist of a discussion of the photographic work developed during the laboratory and an assessment of the knowledge acquired throughout the course. The project will be presented in book form.

The assessment will take into account participation in the activities, the quality of the photographic research, the ability to observe and interpret the assigned theme, the coherence of the project, and knowledge of the theoretical references and authors presented during the course.

AI can be a useful tool to support individual study through further exploration, summaries and self-assessment activities. With regard to the assessment of learning, a limited, declared and non-substantive use of AI is permitted for support activities (summaries, reformulations). Substantive use of AI to complete parts of the assessment is not permitted.

Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities are advised to contact the relevant University office in good time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ). The office will propose any necessary adjustments to the students concerned, which must in any case be submitted, at least 15 days in advance, to the instructor for approval. The instructor will assess their appropriateness, also in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

Teaching materials presented during the course—including texts, images, videos, and presentations—will be made available in digital format.
Students will also have access to books, exhibition catalogues, and photographic publications provided by the Photography Laboratory.

The equipment provided by the school — cameras, scanners, pinhole cameras, etc. — may be used by students under the supervision of the professor.

Office hours

See the website of Massimo Sordi