Course Description
The course delves into using documentary photography as a research tool in the field of social sciences. Designed with a hybrid structure, combining learning about photographic technique, exploring relevant projects and developing personal work, it aims to equip participants with the skills and knowledge to integrate visual methodologies into their academic pursuits. Historic and contemporary photographic practices will be explored and compared focusing on the role of artists/researchers in addressing societal, political, historical issues and personal experiences. Besides examining the work of various photographers, participants will gradually and continuously develop their own projects that reflect on the pressing issues of our time, ideally related to their own research interests, while learning about the ethical considerations and implications of their practice, fostering a sense of responsibility towards their subjects, audiences, and the medium itself.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this module, students will be able to:
- understand basic photographic technique and post-production
software tools;
- develop a personal visual project from idea conception to final
presentation;
- critically articulate how current issues can be addressed
through visual media;
- address the technical, aesthetic and ethical implications
of photo projects;
- engage in ethical, collaborative relationships with
subjects and audiences;
- describe recent trends and practices in the genre.
Course Requirements and Assessment
- Project Pitch & Proposal (10%):
The pitch is a concise, timed presentation using reference
images and lasting 60 seconds, proposing the idea of your project to the class,
clearly explaining the story. It is followed by a timed, 4-minute group
critique. The proposal is a 2 page document based on the feedback from the
pitch, describing the project in detail (why/what/how), a production schedule
and at least 4 photography projects as visual references.
- Photo Exercises (30%):
Six small exercises, aimed at helping to develop the
personal project, completed outside of class time. Each week there is a blind
vote, whose winner can skip an exercise during the term. Exercises will be briefly
critiqued in class, time permitting, or during appointments scheduled with the lecturer
outside of class time.
- Pair presentation (10%):
Participants will pair up for a 8 to 10-minute presentation
of a photographer. The presenters should email a brief plan for the
presentation by 13:00 the day before the presentation.
- Final Project (30%):
A gradually and continuously developed, personal photography
series on a topic of your choice that is directly relevant to the theme of the
course. The work should have around 6 – 12 images presented in a tangible,
physical form as an installation plan, interactive story, zine or other form
after instructor approval. A digital, PDF presentation of the final work is
also required for backup and archival purposes.
- Participation in critiques and class discussions (20%):
Active participation and
constructive feedback is expected from all members during class discussions and
critiques.
Course Schedule
Week 01: Introduction, origins & early practitioners
Week 02: Theory: Social injustice & activism
Practice:
cameras & lenses
Week 03: Student
presentation 1 & 2
Theory:
Substance abuse
Practice:
exposure triangle
Week 04: Off-campus photography workshop
Week 05: Student
presentation 3 & 4
Theory:
Mundane everyday life
Assignment
due: self-portrait
Week 06: Assignment due: personal project pitch
Week 07: Student
presentation 5 & 6
Theory:
Exploration vs exploitation
Practice:
photo cataloging
Assignment due:
project proposal
Week 08: Theory:
Socio-political critique & media
Assignment due:
seven strangers
Week 09: Student
presentation 7 & 8
Theory:
Globalization & surveillance
Practice:
photo editing
Week 10: Rough edit presentations
Week 11: Theory:
Gender & reproductive rights
Practice:
print production
Week 12: Final presentations
- Instructor: Daniel Halasz