Faculty Syllabus

News Photography is a hands-on course that puts you behind the camera to practice telling stories through images. You’ll learn the essentials of exposure, composition, lighting, and editing while exploring how photojournalism shapes the way people understand events and communities. From portraits to live coverage, you’ll practice capturing everyday moments with accuracy and context, paired with captions that strengthen the story. The course also introduces the history, ethics, and role of photojournalism, giving you both the technical skills and awareness to create images that inform and engage audiences.

This is a hands-on, engaging course that will provide a deeper understanding of visual storytelling for the news media industry.

All students enrolled in COMM 1316 are required to complete the following minimum requirements: 9 photo assignments, a photo story pitch, 3 photo presentations, first and second look activities presenting the progress of work on the final project, a final project that applies course concepts to your news photography skills and knowledge, and other projects assigned by the instructor. More specific details about each assignment can be found in Blackboard (Bb) in the Course Assignments section, or during a specific week’s assignment folder/module. Below are descriptions for each assignment and a listing of how it will impact your semester grade.

Photo assignments (49.5% of total grade)

Photography is a practice-based skill. Students need to be photographing outside the classroom as much as possible in order to learn by doing. All photos will be processed and all captions will be written in Adobe Lightroom Classic. See the assignments listed on the Course Schedule at the end of this syllabus. Value: 495 Points total, 55 points each.

Photo presentations (5.5% of total grade)

Students should be looking at photojournalism in news media to seek inspiration and learn from professionals in the industry. Students will sign up to give a minimum of three short presentations on photojournalism images that pique their interest, including photo stories, individual photos, or photojournalists’ bodies of work. Students will submit the work before the class meeting so that we can discuss and critique the images shown in class. Value: 55 points total.

Photo story pitch (10% of total grade)

Students will write a well-researched story pitch for the final project photo essay about someone or an issue related to the ACC or Austin community. There will be a lecture on how to write a story pitch and expectations for the final photo essay assignment. Value: 100 Points

First and Second Look (6% of total grade)

Throughout the term, students will present evolving drafts of their Final Photo Story for group critique. These sessions will provide a space for editorial feedback and technical refinement. Value: 30 points each. 60 points total.

Final Project (25% of total grade)

After critically analyzing how the media presents news and entertainment throughout the semester, students will produce their own photo story for the final project. This involves telling the story of a person in the Austin community through properly sequenced photographs, including captions. Details and expectations for this assignment will be discussed within the fifth week of class.The earlier you start to think about potential story ideas to cover, the better. Value: 250 Points

Class Participation (4% of total grade)

Students will be graded on attendance and participation in classroom discussions. Students are expected to attend class regularly, complete assigned readings, contribute to class discussions, and participate in class activities. After three unexcused absences and/or tardies of 10 minutes or more, a student will lose 5 points for the next two absences and 10 points for each absence/tardy after the fifth. Excused absences include illness with a doctor’s note or participating in a school-sponsored activity (faculty/employee verification required). Please advise the professor by email if you know you are going to be absent within 24 hours of the class. Value: 40 Points

Total Possible Points in Course: 1,00

Assignment Policies

1. Late Work

• There will be a deduction of 25 points for work turned in late.
• Late work will be accepted up to one week late. If you are having technical issues, you must email me before the due date/time to receive full credit.

2. Writing

• Photo captions must follow AP Style guidelines.
• Story pitches and proposals must be typed in 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins.

3. Critique and Presentation Days

• Being on time and present on critique and presentation days is important for your peers.
• Your grade will be lowered 10 points if you are absent and 5 points for being late or leaving early.

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Course Policies

1. Attendance

• You may be dropped after missing two weeks’ worth of classes.
• It is your responsibility to officially drop the class; failure to do so may result in an “F.”

2. Cell Phones

• Phones must be on silent (or off) and stored in your pocket, backpack, or bag unless being used for a class assignment.
• If you need to use your phone, please step outside.

3. Laptops

• Laptops may be used for taking notes during lectures.

4. Academic Integrity

• Plagiarism, cheating, or any other form of academic dishonesty will result in an automatic failure on the assignment and will be reported to the Department Chair.
• Refer to ACC’s Academic Integrity Process for more details.

Artificial Intelligence Policy

• Introduction: The use of generative AI (GAI) is permitted in this course under certain conditions to enhance learning while maintaining academic integrity.
• Rationale: GAI is permitted to foster technological fluency and to leverage advanced tools for research, as long as it does not substitute for critical thinking and learning.
• Definition of GAI: Generative AI encompasses technologies that create content through learned patterns and data without direct human input.
• Usage Permissions: 
  • Permitted: GAI can be used for initial research and idea generation.
  • Not permitted: GAI is not to be used for image creation, as the point of this class is to teach you to create your own images.
• Resources: Guidance on the ethical and effective use of GAI will be provided through designated course materials and office hours.
• Assessment: Contributions of GAI must be clearly cited and will be assessed on the student’s ability to critically analyze and integrate the AI-generated content.
• Penalties: Misuse of GAI, including a failure to cite, will be considered a breach of academic integrity, with consequences including a failing grade for the assignment and academic review consistent with ACC’s Academic Integrity Policy.
• Exceptions: Should the technology be required as an accommodation, exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Students are cautioned that GAI may inadvertently produce biased or inaccurate content. It is incumbent upon the student to critically evaluate and verify the information provided by these platforms. Relying on unverified GAI content for academic work is unacceptable and may lead to disciplinary action.

Academic Honesty

Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT and others, are rapidly evolving technologies that have great potential in all realms of human endeavor, including teaching and learning. They also pose serious challenges, particularly with regard to academic integrity. At Austin Community College, the use of these tools in coursework, like any others, is subject to the same standards outlined in the college’s Academic Integrity policy.

Presenting AI-generated content as your own without proper attribution is considered a violation of academic integrity. All work you submit must reflect your own understanding and effort. If you use generative AI to help with your work, you must clearly acknowledge how and where it was used. Intellectual honesty is essential to a fair and supportive academic environment.

Individual instructors may set their own expectations and limitations regarding the use of generative AI tools in their classes, which should be clearly stated in the syllabus.  To ensure you are complying with your course requirements, always consult with your instructor before using AI tools for assignments. Policies regarding the use of AI may vary by instructor; it is contingent on them to state them, and contingent on you to follow them.

To learn more about the college’s expectations around academic honesty, please refer to the college’s statement on Academic Integrity here and on the specific Academic Integrity Process website.

Data Privacy and Security

In accordance with our dedication to privacy and security, students are advised to refrain from sharing any sensitive or personally identifiable information on GAI platforms. Given that content inputted into or generated by these platforms may become accessible to the platform’s operators, caution is advised. Always ensure your data is clean, accurate, and does not include personal information before interacting with these technologies.

Course Content Warning

Assignments in this class, including readings and videos, will involve sensitive topics such as racism, sexism, and violence (e.g., Israel-Palestine Conflict, etc.). Some media content may include profanity, sexual suggestions/situations, and violent images. Before the screening, I will go over sensitive content in case anyone wants to step out of the classroom. If you are particularly sensitive to any of these topics, please consult the instructor.

ACC Additional Support

1. Student Accessibility Services

Students needing instructional or classroom accommodations can contact Student Accessibility Services for more information.

2. Social Support Resources

Students facing challenges with food, housing, or other basic needs that may affect academic performance are encouraged to contact Social Support Resources.

The instructor reserves the right to amend this syllabus as necessary.

This document serves as a contract between the instructor and student. Continued enrollment in the course serves as acceptance of the conditions and policies located within.

Course Objectives

• Understanding of the basic mechanics and technical language of digital photography;
• Development of analytical and critical thinking skills regarding news media photography imagery;
• Understanding of visual media output as expressions of individual and societal values within technical, economic, historical, and social contexts;
• Expansion of students’ depth and scope of news photography’s uses;
• Understanding of photojournalism’s roles in a community;
• Understanding of photojournalism as a means for communication and storytelling;
• Ability to document people and live events through photojournalism.

Course Learning Outcomes

• Understand and control exposure, metering, white balance, ISO, and depth of field;
• Photograph using effective lighting and compositional techniques;
• Photograph people and events using an eye for visual storytelling;
• Gather and craft effective captions;
• Explain the role that ethics plays in photojournalism;
• Explain the role that photojournalism plays in a community.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Apply photojournalism techniques to capturing digital images of people and events using an eye for visual storytelling.
• Understand the relationship between effective visual images and accompanying captions.
• Operate within the constraints that media law and ethics apply to photojournalism.
• Understand and explain the roles that photojournalism plays in a community.
• Critically analyze and discuss photographic media message content.
• Understand evolving photojournalism technology and its effects on contemporary visual messages.
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Remember this all the way through the semester:

Every picture you make for this class should fit the assignment and have:

• Accurate caption
• Sensible point of focus
• Expert aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and DOF choices
• Definitive point of view and crop
• Careful composition (no distractions or background interference)
• Good timing of the moment
• Interesting subject matter
• Expert post-production (especially levels adjustments and color balance)
• All assignments should be completed in accordance with the ethical norms of our profession

Required Materials

• Digital camera with interchangeable lenses (DSLR or mirrorless) with full manual controls of aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Please consult Professor Ortega before buying one. A list of recommended cameras and lenses can be found here.
• Smartphone
• Computer
• Internet access
• Adobe Lightroom Classic (available through Adobe Creative Cloud)
• Social media access

News Photography - Spring 2026 Tentative Course Schedule
 

Important Spring 2026 Deadlines

• Jan. 20: Spring 16-week session begins.

• Mar. 16–22: Spring Break (No classes).

• Mar. 27: Spring graduation application deadline.

• Apr. 27: Last day to withdraw from 16-week sessions.

• May 14: Commencement Ceremony.

• May 17: Spring semester ends.