Share Course Ware
Social Studies > Writing and Humanistic Studies > Documentary Photography and Photo Journalism: Stil
 Documentary Photography and Photo Journalism: Stil  posted by  duggu   on 12/25/2007  Add Courseware to favorites Add To Favorites  
Abstract/Syllabus
Courseware/Lectures
Test/Tutorials
Further Reading
Webliography
Downloads
More Options
 
Abstract/Syllabus:

Colen, B. D., 21W.749 Documentary Photography and Photo Journalism: Still Images of A World In Motion, Spring 2002. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare), http://ocw.mit.edu (Accessed 09 Jul, 2010). License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA

Course Highlights

This course covers many aspects of Documentary Photography and Photojournalism and features example student projects, and an extensive related resources section.

Course Description

Documentary Photography and Photojournalism: Still Images of A World In Motion exposes students to the work of a number of great documentary photographers and photojournalists, as well as to writing about the documentary tradition. Students work throughout the term on a photo documentary project of their own, attempting to reduce a tiny area of the moving world to a set of still images that convey what the viewer needs to know about what they saw - without hearing the sounds, smelling the odors, experiencing what was happening outside the viewfinder, and without seeing the motion. Students also write papers about the subjects of their photo documentaries.

Special Features

  • Image gallery
  • Syllabus

     
     
    Instructor

    Prof. B. D. Colen


    Description and Overview

    We live in a constantly moving world, and everywhere we turn we see moving images of that world. Even our music has been transformed into moving images through the medium of music videos. Given that, one must ask what role, if any, still photography in general, and traditional documentary photography and photojournalism in particular, play in our perception of the world around us.

    In Documentary Photography and Photo Journalism: Still Images of A World In Motion, you will be exposed to the work of a number of great documentary photographers and photojournalists, as well as to writing about the documentary tradition. Further, you will work throughout the term on a photo documentary project of your own, attempting to reduce a tiny area of the moving world to a set of still images that convey what the viewer needs to know about what you saw - without hearing the sounds, smelling the odors, experiencing what was happening outside the viewfinder, and without seeing the motion. You will also write a paper about the subject of your photo documentary.

    The class will meet for three hours, one evening per week, with each class divided between a discussion of issues, ideas, and readings, and group critique and discussion of each of your term projects.

    Class enrollment will be limited to 15 students, to allow for sufficient review/criticism in class, of your individual work. You will be expected to have your own photographic equipment, and will be responsible for your own processing and printing — which you may do yourself or have done commercially. You need not have sophisticated photo equipment, but you must demonstrate at least basic proficiency with the equipment you already have.


    Assignment Overview

    Documentry Photo Project

    Each of you will be required to plan and carry out a documentary photo project. You may select your own subject — subject to my approval, but I would urge that you not take on anything too grandiose.

    Writing Assignments

    While this is a photography course, it is a photography course offered by the program in writing, and therefore there will be heavy emphasis on writing. students will be required to write four, 750-100 word essays, responding to their reading and class discussion.

    Calendar

     
     
    WEEK # TOPICS
    1 Introduction to the Course, Course Materials, and Subject

    Discussion of Slides and Photographs – Discussion of Documentary Photo Project
    2 Road Trip to Wellesley College to attend Presentation by Documentary Photographer Susan Meiselas
    3 Discussion of Sontag
    4 Sontag Papers Due

    Discussion of Richards and Salgado
    5 Space Ship must Land

    Project Proposals Due
    6 Saglado/Richards Paper Due - Further Discussions of Project Proposals
    7 Discussion of Coles

    Coles Paper Due

    Project Discussion in Light of Coles
    8 Initial Contact Sheets/Proofs of Project Due
    9 Requiem Discussion

    First Draft of Project Text Due
    10 Requiem Paper Due

    Discussion of Draft Texts
    11 Project Photo Delections Due

    Discussion of Selections
    12 Discussion of Projects
    13 Dinner, Discussion, Presentation of Final Projects



www.sharecourseware.org   Tell A Friend