CMD+Z: Infinite Possibilities of The Digital Studio In this foundation design course we will explore various aspects of design including 2D composition, color theory, image editing, and typography while developing literacy in graphics software using the Adobe Creative Suite. Focusing on the comparison of visual communication across global cultures, lectures and assignments will be centered around the ways design intersects with art and socio-political issues.  Students will develop creative visual problem-solving and image-making skills that they can apply across many disciplines, learning to communicate and present their ideas effectively. Students will produce two substantial screen-based and print projects over the course of the semester. It is a 100 level beginning level class open to and designed for students with no visual artmaking experience. This course will count as a prerequisite towards 300-level courses in The Program In Studio Art.

Origins of Photography: Shooting Film In this course students will track photography’s evolution historically and technically as we create lense-based art. We will start in the darkroom making photograms, shooting film with a manual SLR camera, and printing black and white wet process images. The second half of the semester we will continue shooting film while transitioning into scanning and color digital printing. Emphasis will be on development of an individual creative voice through close personal attention. In addition to studio work we will be studying the history of photography. Required: 35mm film SLR camera (preferable) or 8MP (or bigger) DSLR camera manual focus, aperture, and shutter.

Visual Storytelling Through the Lens This photo-based studio course examines the ways images work together in succession to build narratives. Students will study contemporary and historical approaches to the photo essay in addition to authoring their own stories with images they have taken or sourced by other means. While we will discuss the basics of image making, the class is focused on the sequencing of images. Students may use any type of camera for this class including cell phone cameras and no prior photographic knowledge is required. The class will culminate in a web-based slideshow and printed book projects for each individual student.

Magic and Material: The Alchemy of Photography What are images made of? In this course we will spend the semester exploring the materiality of photography. Students will discover the magic and meaning of harnessing light through various material processes, including cyanotype, anthotype, gum bichromate printing, and more. In addition to traditional alternative processes, students will experiment with ways to incorporate modern technology with historic techniques. Students will produce a series of projects informed by the conceptual and expressive qualities inherent in these processes through hands-on engagement with physical matter, both in the environment and in the studio.

Photography Now In this color digital photography course students will sharpen their points of view within the framework of a contemporary photographic practice. Students will learn how to shoot digitally, scan, develop lighting strategies, make large format prints and edit their images into a cohesive body of work. Readings and class discussions will be based on how the photographic image functions in our current culture. Students must have access to 15MP (or bigger) digital SLR camera with manual controls of focus, aperture, and shutter.

Seeing and Being Photography has evolved rapidly and is now pervasive in our daily lives. How do photographs influence our experience of time, space, ourselves, and each other? This course focuses on these four areas central to understanding its incredible impact. Studying fine art and vernacular usage, students will discover how art, science, media, and personal histories are shaped by photography. By learning how to read images of their own and of others, students will develop the critical skills necessary to interpret images and their use. In addition to producing their own visual projects, students will read, research, analyze and write about photographs.

Michelle Leftheris

Reviews and ratings for Michelle Leftheris at Middlebury College.Michelle Leftheris teaches The Digital Studio, Photog:Origins & Shooting Film, Visual Storytelling and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Michelle Leftheris good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Michelle is an amazing and kind person who is so enthusiastic about art. I really enjoyed all the cameraless photography techniques that we learned, especially cyanotype. However, this is the first time Michelle has taught this class and it was very unorganized and we spent most of class time sitting around doing nothing. The course was not planned out well and we were constantly running out of materials or something was broken.

I am very glad I took the digital studio with Michelle. In the end, I felt very satisfied with the art I made. She always gave great feedback, and I really enjoyed our group critiques and discussions about each other's work. 

The class left me with skills in Adobe apps that I've found valuable since taking it. As long as you put the effort into projects and ask questions, it is not difficult to get the grade you want. Prof Leftheris is very willing to explain complexities of the software. However, the lectures were long and often difficult to stay engaged in, especially for nearly 3 hours twice a week.