Photo Essays

For our next class assignment, you will play the role of a very important kind of photographer: the photojournalist. Photojournalists are at once photographers, and writers. They often collaborate with writers from newspapers and magazines to tell important stories, and illuminate important events that might otherwise go unnoticed. They are unbiased and truthful, but can sometimes also be loaded or sensationalized.

Over the next few days, we will look at works by many different photojournalists, and identify their mission. Where are they? What are they trying to tell us through their images? How do these images make us feel?

We will also look at photographers and artists who play the role of the photojournalist, and use elements of this role in their ideas and presentation of their work.

To begin, check out the links below to several websites that show professional photo essays by photojournalists that work around the world:

The TIMES photographic essay website
Lauren Greenfield
Bruce Davidson
Jan Sochor
Peter Menzel
James Nachtwey
Joachim Ladefoged

Lens: The New York Times Photo Essay Blog

And then check out the slideshow of artists and photographers who use a photojournalist approach to their work.

Photo Essay Requirements & Proposal

More Exhibition Opportunities!

Distinguished Scholar in the Arts- Open to juniors only, the Distinguished Scholar in the arts competition is for juniors who have a GPA of 3.7 or higher, and are willing to talk about their work in front of a panel of judges. Reservoir will choose 5 nominees, including candidates from drama, music and dance. Last year 3 of the 5 nominees were in the visual arts, and 2 of them were Photo students! Sign up in class and see me for more information. You need to sign up by Friday, March 12th

Congressional Show- Open to juniors and seniors, the art department will choose 8 works (combined from both art and photo) to nominate for the 2010 Congressional Art awards. Images must be submitted in the Flickr group pool, clearly labeled as "Congressional Art." Choose works that demonstrate elegant composition, and are more conservative in subject matter. If you're submitting work, please respond to the Flickr discussion here, and then post the work on the group pool by Friday, March 19th.

Click #9 Winner: Heather McCarl

"Bird's Eye/Mouse Eye" by Heather McCarl

Solarizing (the Sabattier Effect)

While you're shooting your Ego and Alter Ego next week, I'd like you to experiment with our new alternative process, solarizing. For critique next week, I'd like you to choose two images to solarize in the darkroom that each have different subject matter, and different compositional strategies. Consider using images that use negative and positive space, or landscapes that make use of interesting texture.

I would like you to create two prints for an in-progress critique on: Wed. March 3rd

The Ego and the Alter Ego

Ego- a person's self esteem or sense of self-appearance.

Alter Ego- an alternative personality that is usually kept hidden and is radically different than that person's appearance.

For your next shooting assignment, you will experiment with two different approaches to creating a portrait. One approach will be to most accurately present your subject's ego, that is photographing them in a way that candidly expresses his/her usual self-esteem or sense of importance. The second approach will be to collaborate with your subject and present their alter ego, or a radically different appearance by using combinations of props, experimental lighting, and digital effects.

Check out the slideshow on the bottom, and then open up your sketchbook...it's time to brainstorm! Follow the directions below for brainstorming ideas, and then the expectations for the shooting assignment.

Ego and Alter Ego Brainstorming 2010

Click #8 "Images of Resonance" Winner: Lisa Gigioli

"Resonance Rising" by Lisa Gigioli

"If I were to go blind, I'd remember what I know as the happiest place on earth. One of the things I take pride in most is my family. I'm very family oriented, and spending time with them is one of my favorite things to do. On top of that, I love the beach, especially at sunrise. The sky lights up shining amber as the sun rises up from behind the blue waters. Putting these two elements into one, and that is what I know as pure happiness."

Portrait Lighting Review: Recreation

Richard Avedon photographing for the "American West" series, and the final portraits as seen in a gallery.

Before we begin our portrait unit, it's good to understand how incredibly important lighting is for creating a good portrait. This assignment will have you focus on identifying light qualities and techniques, and then recreate them yourself by also mimicking point-of-view, composition, and depth-of-field/focus.

Directions: Create a group of three or four people for this assignment. Choose a different portrait for each person in the group to recreate as closely as possible. Each person must take turns being the model, the lighting technician, and the photographer. Print the examples below so you have each as a reference while you shoot. Shoot these pictures with a digital camera at a high resolution setting.

CRITERIA:

Light Quality: What type of lighting is being used, incandescent (artificial), or daylight? Are fills being used, where? Are shadows being cast, where?

Posture/Gesture: The model must closely match both the posture and facial expression, as well as the attire (if it's important for the composition of the photo). Use a neutral background, (black or white)

Composition: Crop and frame with your camera accordingly. Closely match the point-of-view and proximity.

Camera Controls: Focus, Aperture use (depth-of-field), and shutter speed are all important. Make sure you closely analyze the photographer's use of each before taking them yourself.

Submit the photo you directed and photographed to the Flickr group pool by: Monday (2/22) morning at 7:25.

Recreate These Portraits 2010