AP Photography
AP 2-D Art and Design Emphasis on Photography, commonly called AP Photography, is the third and final level of photography at Gunn. It is commonly in a combined class with Advanced Photography H and Advanced Photography. This course is normally all seniors, as Photography 1 and Advanced Photography (Honors optional) are prerequisites and freshmen are not permitted to take Photo 1. Because it is combined with Advanced, AP students are regularly available to provide aid to other students who may need it. Despite being in the same class, assignments do not overlap between AP and Advanced until the last quarter in the school year.
| Department | Art |
|---|---|
| Length | Year |
| Weight | AP |
| Teacher(s) | Ms. Durquet |
Course Catalog description
The AP 2-D Art and Design portfolio can include any 2-D media: photography, mixed media, drawing, painting, printmaking, graphic design, digital arts, product design and jewelry making. Students can choose to focus their portfolio specifically on Photography or Graphic Design or Painting/Drawing. Students who enroll in this college-level course must first successfully complete a review of their current portfolio with the 2-D Studio Art instructor for assessment, ideally by the end of the previous year. If the quantity and quality in the body of work reflects the necessary preparation, or summer plans indicate productive art making or instruction, then there is acceptance to proceed.
Approximately 10-15 completed pieces reflecting first-year, college-level standards are required in the portfolio by the first week of May and should exhibit these areas of concern: Selected Works and Sustained Investigation. Five actual pieces for the Select Works portfolio portion will be selected from this or previous levels. Portfolios mailed in an 18’ X 24” portfolio to the AP College Board and will be returned by mid-summer.
Quarterly, one-on-one reviews are scheduled with the instructor to monitor progress, guide the artistic process and evaluate conceptual development and mastery of the chosen discipline. To maintain a position in this course, evidence of progress per quarter is upheld with a commitment to responsible studio behavior is expected. The AP College Board will assign college credit for this course after their review, upon receiving a score of 3 or higher and completion of their form. Seniors have the option to curate and exhibit their body of work in the Library Gallery through a sign-up process. Students may be assigned a museum or gallery visit in Palo Alto or in the Bay Area.
• Prerequisite: Admission may be granted to juniors or seniors who have successfully completed advanced courses in photography, graphic design and/or drawing and painting; grades 11-12
• Homework Expectations: The homework will depend greatly on how many art pieces the student brings to the AP course from their portfolio. It is recommended that students have at least seven to nine completed pieces for the selected works portion, prior to admission.
Should I take this course?
If you enjoyed Advanced Photo, you should take this course. This class provides more freedom to do more personal projects as opposed to assignments using a specific medium (i.e 35mm film, medium format film, digital format). Despite this being an AP course, it is not required for a student to submit an AP portfolio, as the grading by the College Board is known to be "hit or miss", and is despised by both students and teachers alike.