Hey! Howard, I agree with you.
My impression of the question brings me to think what the teacher wants,
here is to open the young photographers to the idea of finding a dedication
to which hang their activity upon. So, with this they can find a goal with
objectives that will help them find happiness through this chosen career.
While the 'fame' game is ready through photography, many of us can admit
that the solitude in doing the thing that fulfills our passion is the
whatever it is we found from photography. To teach that, I admit is a
difficult prospectus to attack.
Whatever . . .
S. Shapiro
----- Original Message -----
From: "howard" <home@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students"
<photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2005 1:00 PM
Subject: Re: classes?
Well, I know "old" photographers have taken much that is to be admired.
But where "we teachers" have dared to let fresh and young minds loose
with a camera, they see things so differently. Trouble is, we always
look up to "iconic" photographers as the ultimate and this is
unavoidable in teaching towards examinations.
I recently went to an exhibition of photographs by a group of very
disadvantaged* youngsters in London. They knew nothing of Ansel Adams,
Charlie Wait, Heather Angel, Roland Barthes, Susan Sontag or any other
photographer or critic.
They worked in black and white, and their final display images were
printed professionally. They didn't think about shutter speeds or
apertures, film speeds depth of field or anything else, but simply what
looked good to them through the viewfuinder...
I was stunned, as was my friend, because their ideas owed nothing to
anyone who had gone before, but were so fresh and exciting - and
different in their expressiveness.
Sadly I cannot find any web reference to their images.
So why not just take a chance, let them go and take photos!!
Use load of fully automatic or even single use cameras with 400 ASA
film, or point and shoot digital cameras and see what happens. Break the
rules!
Howard
*ADHD, autistic, severe behavioural problems, learning difficulties,
poor social backgrounds, broken or dysfunctional families etc.
