GISDepartment of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

How old is photography? Can you imagine visually recording your lunch without a mobile-phone camera? Will you do it even if each shot cost you serious money? How can you share a photograph without Instagram, Twitter, or LINE? Photography was born out of a desire to capture moments, people and landscapes, but to many people, the details of the process are still 'magic' that happens behind a lens. This course looks at the history of photography to help us re-evaluate how digital images evolved and came to be an integral part of our lives.

Photography was developed through a process of scientific study and creative experimentation. This course will give students an insight into the problems that a large number of photographers overcame to make images. Knowledge gained of methods and approaches during the course will also help students better understand the production of images today, helping them to become more informed consumers/producers.

Will be able to gain “DP 1”, “DP 2”, “DP 3”, and “DP 4”.

英語 / English

This course uses a practice-led learning approach to guide students through a history of photographic processes and their effect in modern societies. Each week, a workshop is conducted that evokes technological and sociological developments in the medium. These are supported with periodic lectures relating to examples of past and contemporary photographers. Students document class activities and self-directed research projects using a workbook. Working towards an individual approach, students are required to make their own photographic projects, and to present them in the form of portfolio books (booklets). To create a portfolio book, students are expected to use an online book printing service(suggestions will be given). To evidence the creative process, students are also expected to document the classes and activities in a workbook.
Submission of assignments and mutual feedback are expected to be part of a continuous offline/online dialogue. Feedback regarding student work progress will provided in two ways: direct guidance from the instructor, and peer-review sessions including classmates.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]：The Desire to Leave a Trace

Class introduction and examples of work by previous students and the instructor.

2[対面/face to face]：I was Here

Recording memories visually without a camera before and after photography.

3[対面/face to face]：Light Burns, Colors Fade

Discussing the history of photography from a technology perspective.

4[対面/face to face]：DIY Cameras-1

Making pinhole cameras / camera obscura at home.

5[対面/face to face]：DIY Cameras-2

Making pinhole cameras / camera obscura at home.

6[対面/face to face]：Painting with Light

Discussing the history of photography as a recognized fine art medium.

7[対面/face to face]：Consumer Cameras and the Democratization of Photography

Learning about 35mm and 120mm film processes, as well as instant photography.

8[対面/face to face]：Objects of Remembrance, Evidences of Identities

Discussing the cultural history of photography.

9[対面/face to face]：The End of Blind Faith

Exploring a notion of post-truth and a history of 'fake' imagery

10[対面/face to face]：Photo Project: Research

Conducting research for photo projects.

11[対面/face to face]：Photo Project: Proposal

Reviewing proposals for photo projects.

12[対面/face to face]：Photo Project: Peer Review

Peer review of photo projects prior to submission.

13[対面/face to face]：Photo Project: Final Submission

Review and submission of photo project.

14[対面/face to face]：Photo Project: Final Review

Presentation of photo projects and wrap-ups.

Students are expected to prepare required materials for class (instructions will be given each week), as well as download and do assigned readings. The final project (photo project) and most assignments will require students to make photographs outside of class hours. In addition, students must maintain a workbook that keeps track of questions for self-directed research assignments and describes/reflects upon their creative activities across the semester (no strict format will be enforced, but seriousness is expected and will be rewarded). Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.

No textbook will be used. Handouts and reading materials will be distributed in class.

Badger, Gerry (2011) The Genius of Photography: How Photography Has Changed Our Lives, Quadrille.
Barnes, Martin (2010) Shadow Catchers: Camera-less Photography, V&A.
Batchen, Geoff (1999) Burning with Desire, MIT Press.
Batchen, Geoff (2008) William Henry Fox Talbot, Phaidon.
Batchen, Geoff (2016) Emanations: The Art of the Cameraless Photograph, Prestel Publishing.
Berger, John (1972/2008) Ways of Seeing, Penguin Books.
Blight, Daniel C. (2019) The Image of Whiteness: Contemporary Photography and Racialization, Spbh Editions.
Hockney, David (2006) Secret Knowledge: Rediscovering the Lost Techniques of the Old Masters, Thames & Hudson.
Pinney, Christopher (2003) Photography's Other Histories (Objects/Histories), Duke University Press.
Willes Tucker, Anne et al (2003) The History of Japanese Photography, Yale University Press.

Additional references will be provided by the instructor in class.

Participation: This applies to taking part in the weekly activities, as well as weekly assignments at class. More than 2 unexcused absences will result in failure of this course.

Workbook: Weekly contribution to their workbooks will start at a minimum of 2 pages per week including documentation of class activities and self-directed research works.

Final Project: Each student must produce a personal photo project (min. of 10 solid (self-curated) images). Please note that each student will be asked to pay for an online book printing service to produce his/her portfolio book. Printing may cost around 4,000 yen according to size, number of pages, and print quality. Further details will be explained in class.

The final grade is based on: Participation 20%, Workbook 30%, and Final Photo Essay Project 50%.

The course has been modified to encourage more practical engagement with the history of photography.

Students will need a laptop, a smartphone, a camera (mobile-phone camera will do), a workbook (e.g. blank sketchbook/notebook), and general stationary (e.g. pen, pencil, glue, tape, scissors). Students will also need access to a printer (either at home, on campus, or at a convenience store). Details of other items required will be given each week.

Students are expected to come to class on time, participate and show interest.

The instructor is a practicing artist and filmmaker whose work across different disciplines (starting with photography) has been shown at international exhibitions and media.

None.