ARTT 152: Basics of Photography

Basics of Photography introduces photographic procedures — composing, taking, and editing photographs, alongside the historical development of the medium.

What ARTT 152 covers

An introduction to basic photographic procedures with an emphasis on composing, taking, and editing photographs.

Discussion covers the historical development of photography.

Typical ARTT 152 assignments

Expect a photography portfolio project requiring you to demonstrate composition, capture, and editing skills, often paired with a discussion of photography's historical development.

Key topics in ARTT 152

• Photographic composition
• Taking and editing photographs
• Historical development of photography
• Basic photographic procedures

Writing tips for ARTT 152

Follow the assignment instructions and rubric line by line

UMGC assignments for ARTT 152 are graded against a specific rubric or grading criteria your instructor provides — every requirement has to be visibly addressed. Skipping a requirement because it seems minor is one of the most common reasons a strong submission loses points.

Document your process, not just the finished piece

Studio courses like ARTT 152 typically grade the technique, decisions, and iteration behind a piece, not just the final result — an artist statement or process documentation that explains your compositional choices is usually part of the rubric, even when it isn't spelled out explicitly.

Use the discipline's own vocabulary, not casual description

ARTT 152 is graded on whether you can apply the field's specific critical vocabulary (composition, visual literacy, cinematic technique, or the equivalent) — a review that just says a piece "looks good" or a film "was interesting" without naming the actual elements at work usually loses points.

Why students seek help with ARTT 152

Students sometimes submit technically competent photographs without connecting their compositional choices to the historical development of photography, which ARTT 152 specifically covers — the rubric typically wants that historical context engaged, not just the images alone.

How GradeEssays helps with ARTT 152

Share your ARTT 152 assignment and rubric, and your writer will help you build the written component connecting your photographic choices to the medium's development.

Prerequisites and course context

ARTT 152 has no prerequisites. Note: students may receive credit for only one of ARTT 152 or PHOT 198.

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