Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - CMPT 461 E100

Computational Photography and Image Manipulation (3)

Class Number: 5481

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Wed, 5:30–7:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Fri, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CMPT 361 with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Computational photography is concerned with overcoming the limitations of traditional photography with computation: in optics, sensors, and geometry; and even in composition, style, and human interfaces. The course covers computational techniques to improve the way we process, manipulate, and interact with visual media. The covered topics include intrinsic decomposition, monocular depth estimation, edit propagation, camera geometry and optics, computational apertures, advanced image filtering operations, high-dynamic range, image blending, texture synthesis and inpainting.

COURSE DETAILS:

Modern computational photography takes its powers from computer vision methods that works at high resolutions in-the-wild and applies them to re-render new photographs using techniques in computer graphics. This course covers computational photography from practical and theoretical perspectives. Students will get an overview of classical and modern formulations in computational photography research and also develop custom practical applications. In the first few weeks, we cover fundamental computational photography concepts, formulations, and applications and also in real-world film production environments through guest lectures. The latter part of the course follows a curriculum focused on recent/current research. 2 hours of each week is dedicated to deep dives to fundamental topics in image manipulation including monocular depth estimation, intrinsic decomposition, soft segmentation and alpha matting, image recoloring, and more. 1 hour each week is reserved for all-together open-ended discussions on term projects and research papers. Students form project groups and each projects develops their own photography project through discussions with the instructor. Each student also prepares a detailed video presentation of a selected research paper, which is watched and discussed together in class at the end of the semester. The collaboration is enhanced through weekly check-ins and discussions during lecture hours. Attendence to lectures, with in-person and Zoom options, are mandatory for the entire semester.

Grading

  • Group project 50%
  • Paper discussion and video 30%
  • Programming assignments 20%

NOTES:

Grading will be finalized in the first week of classes.

SFU Grading Policy and Procedures: https://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/teaching/t20-01.html

REQUIREMENTS:

Background on image processing and computer vision (CMPT 361)

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The following are default policies in the School of Computing Science. Please check your course syllabus whether the instructor has chosen a different policy for your class, otherwise the following policies apply.
 
  • Students must attain an overall passing grade on the weighted average of exams in the course in order to get a C- or higher.
  • All student requests for accommodations for their religious practices must be made in writing by the end of the first week of classes, or no later than one week after a student adds a course. After considering a request, an instructor may provide a concession or may decline to do so. Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability can contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca).

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.