CQUniversity Unit Profile
DGTL12005 Contemporary Photomedia
Contemporary Photomedia
All details in this unit profile for DGTL12005 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit considers the practice and theory of modern photography. You will learn about historical and modern perspectives on photography as news, art and visual culture, as well as practical considerations such as composition, lighting and colour. You will be required to produce a portfolio, and must have access to either a digital camera or a 35 mm SLR camera and scanner. You will need access to software that can process digital images.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisite: Minimum of 36 credit points Students who have completed COMM12116 Contemporary Photomedia may not enrol in this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2022

Brisbane
Bundaberg
Cairns
Mackay
Online
Rockhampton

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%
2. Portfolio
Weighting: 60%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Have Your Say

Feedback

Student feedback suggests communication would be smoother with the adoption of Microsoft Teams.

Recommendation

Use Microsoft Teams instead of Moodle forums.

Feedback from Have your say

Feedback

More coverage of lights, diffusers and other tools would be beneficial.

Recommendation

Include material on lighting accessories, particularly those that might be available to Distance students.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. operate a digital camera and image-processing software
  2. identify the characteristics of a photographic image that suit different purposes and contexts
  3. produce photographs suitable for a range of specified media purposes and contexts
  4. compile a high quality portfolio of images in a particular genre.

Not applicable

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 40%
2 - Portfolio - 60%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 40%
2 - Portfolio - 60%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Microsoft Word
  • Adobe Photoshop CC or earlier
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Brendan Murphy Unit Coordinator
b.murphy@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1: Introduction to the course: critically approaching photomedia Begin Date: 07 Mar 2022

Module/Topic

Introduction to the course: critically approaching photomedia

Chapter

Readings and activities on the course Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Taking and critically discussing photographs

Week 2: The parameters of photomedia Begin Date: 14 Mar 2022

Module/Topic

The parameters of photomedia

Chapter

Readings and activities on the course Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Working with shutter speed, focus, aperture, ISO and resolution

Week 3: Photography and communication Begin Date: 21 Mar 2022

Module/Topic

Photography and communication

Chapter

Readings and activities on the course Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Shooting for a scenario and basic Photoshop editing

Week 4: Week 4: Photography for news and publicity Begin Date: 28 Mar 2022

Module/Topic

Week 4: Photography for news and publicity

Chapter

Readings and activities on the course Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Working with people and using ambient lighting

Week 5: Photography for documentary and illustration Begin Date: 04 Apr 2022

Module/Topic

Photography for documentary and illustration

Chapter

Readings and activities on the course Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Capturing an event and lighting an object

Vacation Week Begin Date: 11 Apr 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6: Photography for portraiture and art Begin Date: 18 Apr 2022

Module/Topic

Photography for portraiture and art

Chapter

Readings and activities on the course Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Working with lighting and people

Week 7: The photographic brief and the business of photomedia Begin Date: 25 Apr 2022

Module/Topic

The photographic brief and the business of photomedia

Chapter

Readings and activities on the course Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Propose a concept for a brief that would describe your final project and provide an accompanying draft photograph


Practical photographic exercises and discussion Due: Week 7 Monday (25 Apr 2022) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 8: Researching genres of photography Begin Date: 02 May 2022

Module/Topic

Researching genres of photography

Chapter

Readings and activities on the course Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Discuss the style of a selected photographer, and take a photograph emulating that style

Week 9: Working with photographs: context and purpose Begin Date: 09 May 2022

Module/Topic

Working with photographs: context and purpose

Chapter

Readings and activities on the course Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Discuss the context and purpose of your portfolio with reference to a sample draft photo

Week 10: Mood, feeling and style Begin Date: 16 May 2022

Module/Topic

Mood, feeling and style

Chapter

Readings and activities on the course Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Compulsory feed-forward session for Assessment Item 2

Discuss the stylistic techniques you will be using in your portfolio with reference to a sample draft photograph

Week 11: Publicity, presentation and social media Begin Date: 23 May 2022

Module/Topic

Publicity, presentation and social media

Chapter

Readings and activities on the course Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Find a free hosting service of your choice and discuss how it is appropriate for your portfolio

Week 12: Review and discussion of emerging trends in photomedia Begin Date: 30 May 2022

Module/Topic

Review and discussion of emerging trends in photomedia

Chapter

Readings and activities on the course Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Seek feedback from teaching staff on your draft portfolio

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 06 Jun 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Portfolio and Brief Due: Review/Exam Week Monday (6 June 2022) 11:59 pm AEST
Term Specific Information

To get the most out of this course it is recommended that you access a manual DSLR or mirrorless camera and use a tripod. On-campus students are encouraged to borrow equipment from the Digital Media equipment library. The course has been designed so that you can work with the equipment you have. It is acceptable to work with a good quality phone camera. If you choose an approach that works with the strength of your device, you will not be disadvantaged by doing so.

Assessment Tasks

1 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical photographic exercises and discussion

Task Description

Each week you will be provided with a series of activities that include photographic tasks and discussion questions. At the start of Week Seven you must submit one Microsoft Word .docx file that contains the following items:

  • A photograph for each week’s assessed photographic tasks from Weeks One to Six
  • A written response to each of the assessed discussion questions from Weeks One to Six
  • Documentation outlining your contribution to class discussion, sharing and critique activities for Weeks One to Six

A copy of each photograph should be saved as a file no wider than 1200 pixels, using one of the methods described on the DGTL12005 Moodle site, and inserted into your Word document.

You must keep original, un-resized copies of your photographs and make them available to the markers on request.

If you submit a photograph not taken by yourself during term it will be considered plagiarism. A random selection of photographs are checked for originality.

Each written response should adhere to the word length specified in the discussion question. Typically, this will be around 300 to 400 words.

Your participation in sharing and discussion is documented by:

  • including copies of photographs you submitted for class critique in addition to submissions specified in assessed exercises
  • Including copies of the critiques you provided in addition to critiques specified in the assessed exercises.


Assessment Due Date

Week 7 Monday (25 Apr 2022) 11:59 pm AEST

Submit one .docx file via Moodle


Return Date to Students

Week 9 Monday (9 May 2022)

Marks and comments will be supplied via Moodle


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

Criteria for marking each photograph (25 total marks for all photographs)

  • 85-100% Exemplary. A creative and effective response to the set task. A photograph that emulates a professional standard.
  • 75-84% Very good. A creative and effective response to the set task and a well-composed photograph that demonstrates a high level of technical and compositional skill. Some room for improvement.
  • 65-74% An effective but not exceptional photograph and a sound response to the set task. There may be minor flaws or the photograph may not fully address all of the requirements of the set task.
  • 50-65% A photograph of acceptable quality that may contain significant compositional or technical flaws, or that only addresses the set question in a very general way.
  • 0-49% A photograph that is of unacceptable quality or does not address the set question.

Criteria for marking each written response (10 total marks for all written responses)

  • 85-100% Exemplary. The set question is answered by an argument that uses insights from the course material and/or independent research. Writing is concise and precise. Where relevant, references are used correctly. The response emulates a publishable standard of academic writing.
  • 75-84% The set question is answered by an argument that uses insights from the course material and/or independent research to provide context for specific elements of the photographic task. Writing is concise and precise.
  • 65-74% The set question is answered convincingly, and an attempt is made to use insights from the course material and/or other relevant sources to provide a sound argument. Written expression is of an acceptable level, but there may be room for improvement.
  • 50-64% The written piece addresses the set question, and a clear argument is made. Written expression is of a generally acceptable level, but there may be some significant limitations.
  • 0-49% The written response does not provide a clear or sustainable response to the set question, or the level of written expression is such that the argument being made is hard to discern.

Criteria for marking class participation (5 marks)

  • 5 marks: Student participated fully in class and forum discussion, provided several satisfactory photographs for critique and provided several effective critiques.
  • 4 marks: Student demonstrated significant participation in class discussion, provided at least one satisfactory photograph for critique and provided at least one effective critique.
  • 3.5 marks: Student participated in class discussion, submitted at least one photograph of a sound standard for critique and provided one critique of a sound standard.
  • 2.5 marks: Student participated in class discussion, provided a photograph for critique and attempted a critique.
  • 0-2 marks: Student did not satisfactorily engage with class discussion and/or critique exercises or did not submit report.

Deductions

  1. Deductions of two marks per day may be applied for every day borrowed equipment is overdue for return.
  2. Deductions will apply if you are not able to supply original copies of any photograph requested by teaching staff.


Referencing Style

Submission

No submission method provided.


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • operate a digital camera and image-processing software
  • identify the characteristics of a photographic image that suit different purposes and contexts
  • produce photographs suitable for a range of specified media purposes and contexts
  • compile a high quality portfolio of images in a particular genre.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice

2 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Portfolio and Brief

Task Description

Weekly guided discussion, research and practical exercises in the second half of this unit will step you through the process of conceptualising and developing a unified portfolio of ten photographs. You present the result of this work by submitting:
  • A portfolio of ten photographs hosted on a free web service of your choice
  • A written brief that defines and critically describes the portfolio.

The portfolio

You must choose one only of the following genres to work within

  • Illustration
  • News or publicity
  • Documentary
  • Portraiture
  • Art

Ideally, the portfolio will:

  • Be a coherent work that accords with the aims and definitions set out in the brief
  • Conform to the conventions of the genre as set out in the brief
  • Be comprised of well composed photographs that exhibit technical proficiency and have visual appeal
  • Demonstrate an appropriate mix of consistency and variation.

The brief (1500 words) defines and describes your portfolio and is to be written as if you are a client commissioning the portfolio from a third party.

Guided forum discussion questions over the second half of the course will help you define the practical, technical and stylistic requirements expressed in the brief.

The brief will contain an appendix presenting you contribution to forum-based guided discussion and peer critique exercises.

Ideally, the brief will:

  • Provide a thoughtful and concise working definition of the chosen genre, referencing authoritative sources and the work of other photographers
  • Discuss features of the portfolio with reference to the above
  • Clearly express the aims of the portfolio
  • Discuss technical aspects of selected photographs with reference to the aims of the portfolio and characteristics of the genre
  • Reflect critically on the degree to which the portfolio meets the stated aims
  • Effectively make use of relevant concepts from the course material, supplied online texts and readings or other relevant sources
  • Be concise, well written and make good use of referencing.

Discussion of draft assignment

By week 10 you will present a draft of your Portfolio and discuss it with your peers and your lecturer. This will normally happen in your on-campus or Zoom class. At the discretion of your lecturer you may be able to present your draft asynchronously on the class Teams channel.

Up to five marks are allocated for this session

What to submit

One Microsoft Word document containing:

  • The URL of the photographic portfolio
  • The photographic brief including appendix

You must keep original, unresized copies of your photographs and make them available to the markers on request.

If you submit a photograph not taken by yourself during term it will be considered plagiarism. A random selection of photographs are checked for originality.


Assessment Due Date

Review/Exam Week Monday (6 June 2022) 11:59 pm AEST

Submit one Word file via Moodle


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (17 June 2022)


Weighting
60%

Assessment Criteria

Portfolio (/40)

    • 34-40 marks Exemplary. A creative and effective response to the set task. A portfolio that emulates a professional standard.
    • 30-33 marks: Very good. A creative and effective response to the set task and a consistent portfolio that demonstrates high levels of technical, compositional and conceptual skill. Some room for improvement.
    • 26-29 marks: An effective but not exceptional portfolio and a sound realisation of the chosen genre. There may be minor flaws or the portfolio may not fully consistent with requirements of the chosen genre and topic.
    • 20-25 marks: A portfolio of acceptable quality that may contain significant flaws, or that only conforms to the selected genre and topic in a very general way.
    • 0-19 marks: A portfolio that is of unacceptable quality or does not address the set question.

    Brief and appendix (/15)

    • 13.5-15 marks: Exemplary. The written piece uses insights from the course material and/or independent research to provide context for specific elements of the photographic task. Writing is concise and precise. Referencing is used correctly. The response emulates a publishable standard of academic writing. At least three examples of clear, well-written and meaningful feedback to other students' posts have been included in the appendix.
    • 11.5-13 marks The written piece uses insights from the set material and/or independent research to provide context for specific elements of the photographic task. Writing is concise and precise.
    • 10-11 marks: The written piece provides a coherent discussion, and an attempt is made to use insights from the course material and/or other relevant sources to provide a sound argument. An attempt is made to discuss specific elements of the photographic task. Written expression is of an acceptable level, but there may be room for improvement.
    • 7.5-9.5 marks: The written piece addresses the photographic task, and a clear argument is made. Written expression is of a generally acceptable level, but there may be some significant limitations.
    • 0-7 marks: The written response does not provide a clear or sustainable response to the set question, or the level of written expression is such that the argument being made is hard to discern. 

    In-class or Teams-based discussion of draft (/5)

    • 5 marks: A substantially developed draft portfolio was presented and discussed. Purpose and genre were clearly explained. Reference was made to relevant research into the genre and examples of works in the genre. A distinctive approach was convincingly relayed. 
    • 3.5-4 marks: A substantially developed draft portfolio was presented and discussed. Purpose and genre were clearly explained. Some reference was made to relevant research into the genre and/or examples of works in the genre. 
    • 2.5-3 marks: A somewhat developed draft portfolio was presented and discussed. Purpose and Genre were discussed. 
    • 1-2 marks: Relevant photographic work was presented and discussed. 


    Referencing Style

    Submission

    No submission method provided.


    Learning Outcomes Assessed
    • operate a digital camera and image-processing software
    • identify the characteristics of a photographic image that suit different purposes and contexts
    • produce photographs suitable for a range of specified media purposes and contexts
    • compile a high quality portfolio of images in a particular genre.


    Graduate Attributes
    • Communication
    • Information Technology Competence

    Academic Integrity Statement

    As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

    Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

    When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

    Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

    As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

    What is a breach of academic integrity?

    A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

    Why is academic integrity important?

    A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

    Where can I get assistance?

    For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

    What can you do to act with integrity?