CSE 131: The Science and Art of Digital Photography

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Instructor: Bruce Hemingway --photos here and here.
Office hours: Monday and Wednesday 2:30 to 4pm, and by appointment. Office CSE464, Allen Center.

Teaching Assistants:Yuxiang (Bill) Chen, Wes Wolanski, Lixiang (Bryant) Zhu, Korn Toongtong, Sijia (Scarlett) Hao and Ben Sukys.

Spring 2014: MWF 12:30-1:20pm -- Sieg Hall 134-- Sections Tues or Thurs 2:30-4:20 pm

Digital Photography is a unique technological activity that is totally dependent on its roots in digital sensing and computational imaging. It has many functions—scientific, artistic, documentary and social—and its historical development is a fascinating study in scientific innovation.  This course will give students the tools and technological understanding to make better pictures. We will concentrate on four areas: the history and development of photography; the science of optics and digital imaging; the elements of photographic composition and design; and the future of internet-enabled photography.

Information & Policies page

Class Mailing list information is here. Add your preferred email address.
To post a message to all the list members, send email to cse131a_sp14@uw.edu.

Questions? Email the teaching staff here.

We encourage all participants to look at each other's photos on Google+, and to leave (constructive) comments on them as well.

Flash applets on some technical aspects of photography

Slideshow of Student Work from last year, selected by the course staff

Final Project information here. Deadline: Wednesday June 11, by 11:59 p.m., via email

Final Projects list

Course Schedule (subject to constant revision, and posted shortly before starting date):

Lecture and Demo topics, by week
Section topics and assignments

Week 1 March 31-April 4-Choosing a camera
Basic Image Formation
Perspective, lenses, aperture, shutter

Readings:    Horenstein pp. 20-93
                  Freeman Ch. 1

Join Google Plus; get acquainted in sections

Applet: Variables that affect exposure

Week 2 April 7-11- Optics I
      Lensmaker’s formulae, Depth-of-field formula
History of Photography 1
Reading:
A History of Photography: the section entitled: How Photography Began

Photo Assignment 1: Push your camera toward the edge Due:11:59PM, Sunday, April 13, 2014

Applets: Thin Lens; Gaussian Lens Formula

Week 3 April 14-18: Image Composition
        The Frame, Design basics, points, Lines, curves     
Readings: Freeman Ch. 2,3
      Horenstein Ch. 4

Photo Assignment 2: Photos as Memories Due:11:59PM, Sunday, April 20, 2014
Sections: review Photos from Assignment 1

Week 4:April 21-25
Optics II:
      Aberrations & Distortion
      Flare, vignetting, diffraction
History of Photography 2  
Camera Subsystems
      AF- Auto Focus

Reading: OPTICS
Reading: Diffraction

Photo Assignment 3: Macro Photographs Due:11:59PM, Sunday, April 27, 2014

Section Walkabout, Tuesday/Thursday
Meet at bus shelter on Stevens Way South of Chemistry Bldg.
This week Walkabout: Medicinal Herb Garden & Greenhouse macros

Week 5:  April 28- May 3  
Camera Subsystems
      AE- Auto Exposure
      IS- Image Stabilization
Reading: Horenstein Ch. 4
Reading: A History of Photography: the section entitled: Documentary photography

Photo Assignment 4: Action Photographs Due:11:59PM, Sunday, May 4, 2014

 

 

Week 6: May 5- 9
History of Photography 3: Art 
History of Photography 3: the 20th Century

Photo Assignment 5: Architecture and Interiors Due: 11:59PM, Sunday, May 11, 2014
Section Walkabout, Tuesday/Thursday: Campus Architecture: Meet in front lobby, Suzallo Library

Week 7: May 12-16
Digital Sensors--CMOS vs. CCD
      Sampling; Color sensing, Bayer vs. Foveon
      Microlenses- SNR, ISO, noise removal
Post Processing I
Post Processing II


Photo Assignment 6: Nature Photographs Due: 11:59PM, Sunday, May 18, 2014
Section Walkabout, Tuesday/Thursday: Union Bay Natural Area MEET HERE
Pick your Final Project subject by Monday May 19.

Week 8: May 19-23
Light, Reflection, Color

Portrait Lighting

Photo Assignment 7: Night and Color Photographs Due: 11:59PM, Sunday, May 25, 2014
Pick your Final Project subject by Monday May 19.

Optional Evening Walkabout: Thursday May 22, 8:30 pm
Meet in the center of Red Square for night photos and group lightpainting
bring flashlights and camera, of course

Week 9: May 26-30, Memorial Day May 26

History of Photography 4: Tools 

Reading: Horenstein Ch. 5

Photo Assignment 8: Portraits and Light Due: 11:59PM, Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Week 10: June 2-6
Lightfield Photography
History of Photography 5: Now to the Future 
A Final Word
Reading: Lytro

Work on Final Project; add revision photos to assignments



Final Project information here. Deadline: Wednesday June 11, by 11:59 p.m., via email.