This course offers a critical and practical introduction to post-digital photographic culture, at a time when social media and photoshop has radically transformed the meaning, agency and value of images. Students will learn experimental approaches to digital image-making, with a focus on postproduction techniques and methods for manipulating, staging and exhibiting contemporary photomedia in print and on-screen. The course will contextualise a range of practitioners working in photography and related media since the 1990s, and focusing on questions of authorship, appropriation, copyright and methodologies for subverting image culture.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. use software and hardware appropriate to digital photomedia practice;
2. demonstrate an understanding of the expressive and experimental possibilities of imaging technologies;
3. evaluate the effectiveness of technical and artistic methodologies in their own work and the work of others; and
4. recognise relationships between concept and process in the production of creative works.

Additional Course Costs

Students may choose to pay for a discounted subscription to RunwayML and additional credits for processing time on RunwayML servers. Subscriptions are organised through your lecturer and can be cancelled at any time. More information is available here: https://runwayml.com/educators/

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction: Class structure, online platforms, Microsoft Teams, Miro
2	Image Datasets
3	Machine Learning and the image
4	Imaging and new media landscapes	Studio Tasks 1 & 2 due
5	Choose your own adventure
6	Introducing the Major Project	Studio Tasks 3 & 4 due
7	Project Pitches & feedback
8	Project Pitches & feedback + presentations	Presentations + upload to Wattle
9	Supervised studio practice + feedback + presentations	Presentations + upload to Wattle
10	Supervised studio practice + feedback + presentations	Presentations + upload to Wattle
11	Supervised studio practice + feedback + presentations	Presentations + upload to Wattle
12	Supervised studio practice + feedback + presentations	Presentations + upload to Wattle
13	Exam period - No Class	Final Project Due

Tutorial Registration

Tutorial registration via Wattle.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Studio Tasks	30 %	1,2,3
Artwork analysis video presentations	20 %	2,3,4
Major studio project	50 %	1,2,3

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Studio Tasks

During weeks 1-6, students will undertake a series of tasks in class. Compile the results of these tasks into a single PDF file and submit to Wattle.

Studio tasks 1 & 2 due Week 4 (15%):

1. Dataset: Working with images, archives, web search to build your own image dataset (Weeks 1,2)

2. Machine Learning: generate a series of images or video using RunwayML (Weeks 2,3)

Studio tasks 3 & 4 due Week 6 (15%):

3. Montage & Composition: Experimenting with different compositing and montage techniques introduced in class. (Weeks 3,4)

4. Choose your own adventure: Find a digital manipulation/production/imagine technique, teach yourself the basics and make something with it (Weeks 4,5)

Value: 30% overall

Presentation requirements: An A4 pdf with tasks clearly labeled. Each task is to be accompanied by a 100-word statement about what you did, how you did it and why you think it’s interesting. PDFS should not exceed 500mb (make sure your images are 72dpi, not 300 dpi)

Estimated return date:  2 weeks after submission

Assessment Task 2

Artwork analysis video presentations

In groups of 3-4, students will collaborate to make a “deep dive” presentation on a particular artwork allocated to them by their lecturer. Present your research and analysis on the allocated artwork in the form of a pre-recorded presentation in a week allocated between weeks 8 and 12. You want your presentation to be the combination of both research into this artwork and the delivery of new insight that you have interpreted yourselves, there is room to be creative in your analyses.

Presentation Requirements:

The presentation must adhere to ANU academic policies regarding citation of sources and inclusion of a bibliography. http://academicskills.anu.edu.au/resources/handouts/referencing-style-guides

There is no limit to how many slides you include but your presentation is to be 10 minutes in length. A guide on how you may choose to structure presentation and what information to include includes (feel free to interpret and add to this as you will):

• Show us the series of works you will be discussing, properly referenced.
• Discuss how you think the works were made.
• Introduce the artist and how the work relates to the weekly seminar/workshop topics.
• Describe the mood of the series and how they make you feel.
• Discuss the formal qualities. How framing, focal length, colour, texture, shape, and line all contribute to what you think the message of the series might be. This can be done by using details (cropped images from inside the works).
• What are the “big ideas” you think the artist may be engaging with? How have they demonstrated this?
• Present research on the work and the artist. What do other people have say about the work (reference correctly)?
• How has this series impacted upon your conception upon what photography is and what value it has in the twenty-first century?

How you divide up tasks in your group is up to you. It may be a good idea for you to all look at the series and then arrange to meet via Zoom to discuss your ideas. Some

of the tasks you may like to divide up are as follows:

• Research, interpreting work, brain storming (everyone)
• Script writing (2 people then feedback to the group?)
• Slides and slide design (based on the script)
• References and copy editing. Make sure all images are referenced in adherence to the Chicago style
• A narrator or the person who will record the presentation (multiple people can narrate or just one person, it depends upon you)
• Rehearsals and timing
• Are there other duties you can think of?

On the day of your presentation, you need to upload a PDF copy of your slides to Wattle. One per group.

Value: 20%

Estimated return date:  2 weeks after submission

Assessment Task 3

Major studio project

Using the concepts and processes explored throughout the semester, develop a series of 4 digital images at A3 size to the theme of Control

Control is a theme that underpins many of the processes and techniques we have explored this semester. How does it play out in your world? Is it about power? Influence? Behaviour? Domination or submission? Or is it about balance and tension, politics or culture? Maybe it is about something completely different? 

Using some of the processes and concepts introduced in the semester, devise a creative project that can explore the theme of control. You can use any of the digital imaging techniques we have covered in class.

In weeks 7 and 8 you will pitch your ideas to the rest of the studio and work to refine what your research project is about. Weeks 9-12 will be iterative feedback sessions where you are expected to substantially experiment and test your processes ready to report each week. 

Value: 50% 

Presentation requirements: 4 x A3 digital images to be uploaded as a PDF with a 200-word artist statement. 

Estimated return date: After examination period 

Hurdle Assessment requirements: Be ready to pitch your ideas in week 7 and 8

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students