Photography Courses Popular at Huntington High School

Huntington High School’s photography program is one of the most comprehensive and accomplished of its kind on Long Island. A series of courses is able to meet the needs of young photographers of every level of ability. Led by veteran teacher Pamela Piffard, herself a professional photographer, students receive high degree of personal attention.

Located on the lower level beneath the cafeteria, the photography lab is a bustling place on any given day as students go about their work with enthusiasm. The teenagers pursue their projects under Ms. Piffard’s watchful eyes. The longtime teacher has an easy way about her that is appealing to students.

Ms. Piffard studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology, earning an associate’s degree in photography in 1996 and then obtained a B.A. in photography and a state teaching certificate at Parsons School of Design/New School University in 1998. She received a master’s in graphic design at Long Island University – C.W. Post College in 2003.

The faculty member’s love affair with photography started early in life. “I first took a class in middle school,” she said. “I wanted to do it because my sister had liked it. Immediately I knew it was a passion. By the time I was 14, I had my own darkroom and I spent every spare moment printing.”

By the time Ms. Piffard was 15, she was already shooting local bands and the following year as a 16-year old she was working for Under the Volcano fanzine and had done three albums.

What’s her advice to aspiring photographers? “To get started just shoot a lot and keep doing it,” Ms. Piffard said. “Network as much as you can and show your work to anyone who will look at it.”

Ms. Piffard is in complete command of her classroom. She has the ability to keep track of dozens of things at once, giving advice, demonstrating techniques, critiquing student work, and motivating her students.

“My mother said to me on my first day as a teacher, ‘If you don’t seem like you want to be there, the kids won’t want to be there either’,” Ms. Piffard said. “I have tried to keep this in mind every single day.”

Huntington High School’s photography program has produced numerous award recipients. Courses include Introduction to Photography, Advanced Photography, Portfolio Development and Advanced Placement 2-D Art and Design.

Course descriptions and prerequisites are as follows:

Introduction to Photography - Course #632

(1 Year - 1 Credit) 5 periods weekly

Offered to grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: None for grades 10-12. Ninth grade students music have taken Studio in Art in grade 8, or be simultaneously registered for an Art or Music course that fulfills this graduation requirement.

Photography is an exciting course where students learn about black and white photography. Students will learn a skill which will last the rest of their life and bring enormous pleasure and self-satisfaction. Students will learn how to shoot and create well-balanced, well-composed photographs. Students will learn about photographic equipment, develop their own black and white negatives and prints, and analyze their own work as well as the work of others. During the second semester, more time is spent in the darkroom. As their skills develop, students will have the opportunity to make larger prints, use contrast filters, and refine their printing techniques. Students will learn about portraiture, photojournalism, and produce portfolio-level matted prints.

Advanced Photography - Course #633

(1 Year - 1 Credit) 5 periods weekly

Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Introduction to Photography

In this course, students will expand upon the skills learned in Introduction to Photography. The emphasis will be on producing exhibition quality digital images based upon self-motivated projects. Students will learn how to edit their images using Adobe Photoshop, study the work of several other photographers, learn studio techniques and visit photo galleries.

Portfolio Development - Course # 639-CG, 639-CR, 639-FA, 639-FAS, 639-P, 639-V

(1 Year - 1 Credit) 5 periods weekly

Offered to grades: 11, 12

Prerequisite: Intention for post-graduate study in Art and department permission. Students must have successfully completed Advanced Video Production/Video III with a minimum grade of 90 and be recommended by the teacher.

This is an exciting course that allows students to develop a professional portfolio of their art work. The Portfolio course is designed for students who demonstrate mastery in two or more artistic mediums and are able to exhibit a comprehensive knowledge in the program of their interest (digital arts, photography, video, fashion, etc.). This includes, but is not limited to, techniques, concepts, and artistic social awareness. Portfolio is designed to demonstrate continuing refinement of basic skills while exploring new mediums, ideas, and interpretations. College and career paths in art will be a component of Portfolio.

Advanced Placement (AP) 2-D Art and Design - Course #628

(1 Year - 1 Credit) 5 periods weekly

Offered to grade: 12 (Grade 11 students must have department approval)

Prerequisite: Advanced Computer Graphics or Advanced Photography, a portfolio of twelve pieces of art and department approval. AP weighted course.

The AP Studio Art 2-D Portfolio course is designed for highly motivated students who are interested in creating college-level artwork. Students can select photography or digital art as their primary focus, but note that the AP Studio Art 2-D Portfolio falls under one category and is not divided into two separate entities. This course demands time, diligence, commitment and focus. For the AP Studio Art 2-D exam, students will submit a minimum of 15 pieces generated with a sustained investigation and process of discovery, and will write about their work and analyze the process. All students will also submit a tangle portfolio of their 5 best images from their sustained investigation to the AP board for review. Students will need to complete the prerequisite courses for their area of study and have maintained a minimum grade of 90 in those courses.