A wide shot of a ceramics studio, featuring students working with pottery wheels and other tools.
A white silhouette of a person against a light blue background.

Robert Clarke-Davis

Associate Professor

Bio

Associate Professor, Photography (1990). BA, 1974, Beloit College; MA, 1982, University of London, Goldsmiths' College, School of Art and Design. Exhibitions: Cleveland Museum of Art; Milwaukee Art Museum; Wuk Kunsthalle, Vienna; Magyar Fotogr'fiai M'zeum Kesckem't, Hungary. Gros Morne National Park Discovery Centre Woody Point NL. Publication: Pinhole Journal. Collections: Cleveland Museum of Art; Fine Arts Library, Indiana University, IN; Impressions Gallery, North Yorkshire; The Rooms Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador. Awards: Purchase Award, Impressions Gallery; Pouch Cove Foundation Visual Artists Residency Parks Canada/Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador Art in the Park Residency, Gros Morne NL. Represented by James Baird Gallery.

 

Courses

Title Department Catalog Term

Description

This course introduces black-and-white printing techniques including darkroom and inkjet printing, contrast control through development, the zone system, scale of images, graphic arts film, studio lighting, different darkroom techniques, alternative cameras, and different papers and films.

Class Number

1807

Credits

3

Description

Large Format Photography introduces students to the ideas and aesthetics associated with a large-format view camera. Students will learn pre-visualization, camera movements, perspective control, large-format optics, and how to handle large format sheet film. Assignments focus on portraiture, landscape, studio, and architecture. Students are encouraged to develop a personal style via flexible assignments. Technical skills acquired include view camera setup and control, experience with sheet film, the zone system, large format scanning, and analog and digital printing. All enrolled students are assigned a 4x5 studio camera and will have access to an 8x10 and 4x5 field cameras, along with a variety of optics and accessories.

A variety of technical readings from multiple sources will help students understand perspective control, camera setup, lens choice, bellows extension, available film choices, exposure, and reciprocity compensation associated with large format photography. Additional readings and screenings will provide examples of historical and contemporary work created utilizing large format photography, and highlight the cameras meditative qualities and excellent resolution and control.

Class Number

1518

Credits

3

Description

The class will address the photographic book. we will investigate the numerous styles and how it influences meaning. we will question the limits of books where photography will be the main emphasis. this is not a class that will be primarily on structure we will not be making books beyond the most basic level. the quality and traits of print on demand publishing and visit with local publishers and editors will be arranged. an integral component of the class will be the chicago artist book fair. we will almost live in the joan flash artist book collection. the main text will be the structure of the visual book by keith smith. among courses that would work well in conjunction are - sequencing and structure and artist books.

Class Number

1814

Credits

3

Description

This graduate level studio seminar course is a hybrid of reading, discussion, making and critique, designed to pursue positions in historical and contemporary philosophy, critical analysis, and current thought relevant to photography and visual literacy. Throughout the semester, the course aims to explore the past and future of visual media and to look at its discourse in relation to life as an artist in the greater realm of culture, society and politics. Course programming includes critical readings, short and informal writing assignments, work and research presentations.

Class Number

1978

Credits

3