The Basic Photography course offers students a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practice of photography. Through a combination of practical exercises, creative projects, and theoretical discussions, students will gain essential skills and knowledge in photography. This course is specifically designed for beginners who have little to no prior experience in photography and provides a solid foundation for understanding the art and science of capturing and communicating through images.
Can BEKCAN
Senior Instructor
Communication Consultant
Basic Photography
Course Outline
Course Completion Requirements
Since the course is practice-oriented, attending the course is obligatory. In-class applications and projects must be complete.
Examination
We will have class practices.
- Practices %20
- Midterm Project %30
- Final Project %50
Format of the Lesson
Basic Photography course will be taught theoretically and practically. Theories will be transferred in a way that forms the basis for practical studies. All theoretical information will be shared weekly on this site.
Course Outcomes
- Technical Proficiency: Students will be proficient in operating various types of cameras and equipment, including understanding exposure settings, camera modes, and basic maintenance.
- Composition Mastery: Graduates will possess a strong grasp of composition principles and framing techniques, enabling them to create visually appealing and engaging photographs.
- Lighting Expertise: Students will be able to effectively work with natural and artificial lighting, understanding how to manipulate light to achieve desired effects.
- Color Management: Graduates will have an understanding of color theory and how to use color effectively to convey mood and meaning in their photographs.
- Critique and Feedback: Graduates will have developed the ability to critically assess photographs, provide constructive feedback, and apply feedback for continuous improvement in their work.
- Photographic Styles: Students will have explored various photographic styles, including portrait, landscape, still life, and documentary, and be capable of adapting their skills to these different genres.
- Creative Expression: Graduates will be able to use photography as a medium for creative expression, conveying ideas, emotions, and narratives through their images.
- Ethical Considerations: Students will understand the ethical considerations involved in photography, particularly in areas such as documentary and street photography.
- Project Portfolio: By the end of the course, students will have developed a portfolio of their work, showcasing their newfound skills and creativity.
Important Notes
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Useful Links
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Weekly Courses Content
1. Week
Introduction to Social Media and Communication
- Definition of social media and its historical development
- Key concepts: user-generated content, virality, algorithms
- The impact of social media on traditional media and communication channels
- Harold Lasswell’s Communication Modal (Linear Modal of Communication)
- Dean Barnlund’s Communicati0n Modal (Transactional Modal of Communication)
- Plato’s Cave
2. Week
Social Media Platforms
- Overview of popular social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok)
- Comparison of platform features, target audiences, and communication styles
- Ethical and privacy considerations on social media
- Uses and Gratification Theory (Elihu Katz, Jay Blumler, and Michael Gurevitch)
- Diffusion of Innovations (Everett Rogers)
- Political Economy of Communication (Marshall McLuhan)
3. Week
Social Media and Society
- The role of social media in shaping cultural norms and behaviours
- The impact of social media on political discourse and activism
- Social media and self-presentation: identity and personal branding
- Information Processing Theory (Atkinson and Shiffrin Model)
- Cultivation Theory (George Gerbner)
- Cultural Studies (Stuart Hall)
4. Week
Social Media and Relationships
- The influence of social media on interpersonal relationships
- Online communities and social support networks
- Managing conflict and dealing with cyberbullying
- Social Exchange Theory (Claude Lévi-Strauss)
- Face to Face Interaction (Erving Goffman)
5. Week
Social Media and Business Communication
- Social media marketing and advertising strategies
- Building brand presence and engagement on social media
- Social media analytics and measuring success
6. Week
Influencers and Online Celebrities
- The rise of influencers and content creators on social media
- Influencer marketing and its impact on consumer behavior
- The ethics of sponsored content and authenticity
- Two Step Flow of Communication (Paul Lazarsfeld, Elihu Katz)
- Opinion Leader
- Social Impact Theory (Bibb Latane)
- Rhetoric (Aristotle)
- Persuasion
7. Week
Social Media and Journalism
- Social media as a news source and its implications for journalism
- Misinformation, fake news, and fact-checking in the digital age
- Citizen journalism and user-generated content
- Misinformation / Disinformation
- Fake News
- Clickbait
- Citizen Journalism / Victim Journalism
- User Generated Content (Free Labor [Digital Labor])
8. Week
Social Media and Politics
- The role of social media in political campaigns and elections
- Social media’s influence on public opinion and polarization
- Government regulations and content moderation on social media
- Regulations and Censorship
- Democracy
- The Arab Spring
- Analatica – US Election
- Political Ads
- Participatory Culture
9. Week
Social Media and Crisis Communication
- Social media in times of crisis and disaster
- The importance of crisis communication plans for organizations
- Case studies of successful and unsuccessful crisis management on social media
10. Week
Digital Citizenship and Responsible Use
- Navigating digital citizenship and online etiquette
- Addressing online hate speech, trolling, and cyberbullying
- Strategies for maintaining a positive digital footprint
…
11. Week
Social Media and Global Communication
- Cross-cultural communication on social media platforms
- Social media’s role in fostering global connections and understanding
- Challenges and opportunities in international social media campaigns
- Intercultural Communication
- Social Engineering
- Global Village (Marshall McLuhan)
12. Week
Future Trends in Social Media
- Emerging social media platforms and technologies
- Predictions for the future of social media and its impact on communication
- Ethical considerations in the evolving landscape of social media
- Artificial Intelligence
- API (Application Programming Interface)
- BigData
13. Week
Final Project Presentations
- Students present their final projects, applying concepts learned throughout the course to a practical context.
…
14. Week
Final Exam
Detailed Grades
Presentation
%10
You are going to prepare a presentation which topic is on the list.
Evaluation Criteria
- Presentation should not be more than 10 minutes and 10 slides.
- Slides should not include full of text and reading is not acceptable.
Assignment 1
%25
This assignment is going to be a case study. Each student should choose a case to apply at least one theory to define situation and find a way to solve/improve it.
Evaluation Criteria
Grade will be given according to application of the theory to solve the problem or improve the issue.
Assignment 2
%25
Each students will write an article about a topic is going to be given in the class.
Evaluation Criteria
Article must be at least 3000 words (abstract is not included), APA style reference, 200 words abstract, 5 keywords and title.
Websites are not acceptable as reference, especially wikipedia.
Final Exam
%40
Evaluation Criteria
The final exam will be a written assessment covering the entire course material. Students must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the concepts, theories, and practical applications discussed throughout the course.