Beauty is in the eye as they say. I am also an admirer of Loewy and
think the Avanti was a great looking car. As were the other Studebakers
that Loewy designed. For their time! Loewy's designs were good enough
to keep the car company going long after it should have died. But that
is another matter. Good arguments from both but I think more like AZ I
believe. I spend time around "creative photography" people and often
wonder why they think something they do is worth the time and effort.
But then I know that I may just not get it. As with all art and design,
it is hard to factor out personal tastes and prejudices.
Don
lookaround360@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Herschel,
I agree the R12 isn't much to look at but I'm a great fan of Raymond
Loewy and his Avanti! I think I could give you a thorough critique of
both. One has to critique the success or failure of formal
design based on principles rather than taste. And you have
to understand and incorporate cultural values into the discussion.
Mostly it involves convincing yourself that things like slacker art
and so-called "edginess" isn't pure crap!
One part of teaching is to confess to your shortcomings (but not your
prejudices).
If you only deal with formal elements you are still giving much to
your students. You reserve a few stock remarks for stuff you hate or
simply don't get. You might say something like "How does (whatever
part you just don't get) inform the picture?" I'd look at it as a
challenge to the student to begin thinking that in a photograph
everything counts.
AZ
Build a 120/35mm Lookaround!
The Lookaround Book.
Now an E-book.
http://www.panoramacamera.us <http://www.panoramacamera.us/>
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [SPAM] Re: [SPAM] criticism and teaching
From: karl shah-jenner <shahjen@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, July 16, 2007 9:01 pm
To: List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students
<photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Alan writes:
Herschel,
There are two definitions for the word. The only one I have in mind is
the second: "evaluate." A critique of work one uses in a class has
nothing to do with being severely judgmental. One would presume
(hope!) the instructor's opinion is informed, respected, and eagerly
sought after! Once ground rules are understood the instructor doesn't
have to timidly tipy-toe around delicate feelings. It is simply about
learning to talk about a picture in a way other than its technical
success or shortcomings. Look at it this way - a commercial
photographer should have an advantage if they can communicate better
with their customers and employees.
AZ
I would suggest cropping, suggest alternative angles, different choice
of focal length, whatever was needed when it was apparent the image
faltered, but when I was confronted with something I couldn't
comprehend, I left it to their eyes. Easy enough to see whether they
were proud of the image, happy with what they'd produced or whether it
was a half-hearted attempt to just get an assignment done. I did
after all have to award marks! However as I said it was a science
diploma and these ladies and gents were dentists, doctors, police,
veterinarians, future medical or forensic photographers and the like
and aesthetic was less of an issue for the bulk of what they would be
producing. Creative stuff was as common if not more so than the 'dry'
photos though, but hey - there is SO much stuff in this world of
creativity that I do not get that I can't help respect each persons
personal aesthetic and felt I'd be better guiding them in getting what
*they* want rather than what *I* would like to see.
After all, who in their right mind thinks a Studebaker Avante or a
Renault 12 is a beautiful car? Someone did! Enough so to buy a heap
of them..
And clearly the designer was SO driven they managed to see the cars
all the way through to production! A lot of conviction there.
Who as a teacher would not have guided the student away from such
ghastly mistakes! ;)
Herschel:
Creativity is like a wild but very timid animal hiding in a dark cave.
We need to lure it out into the light with tenderness, care and
caution. One wrong move and it'll dart back in and never come outa
there.
We are pretty creative animals and I think creativity is a driving
force in most of us. It's pretty tough and resiliant and tends to
persist. What *is* fragile is the ego that is willing to put their
ideas and creations forward for scrutiny. allow a person to feel
belittled and you'll never see their work again. Doesn't mean they
won't keep producing, you will just never see it
Technical first or aesthetic.. Well, people will create their own
reality, no stopping that. I've seen some strong potential in folks
limited by their technical ability but I've yet to see anyone stifled
by their technical know-how. Sure you can all the technical knowledge
in the world and still not take a picture that satisfies anyone - no
argument there!
I know a guy who's a DOP (cine) here in Perth who used to be a student
of mine. He said in one recent catch up that he really didn't see the
point of a lot of the technical stuff I taught but when he started
working in the field he realised a lot of the shoots he assisted on
were suffering from a poor knowledge of the media - film. Exposure
issues, lack of understanding of contrast, lack of lens knowledge - he
noted the guys who were considered good and well regarded DID know the
tech stuff .. and those around them simply attributed their success
and skill to them being 'good' - end of thought process.. How odd!
Anyone CAN learn the tech stuff but most found it too boring or hard
and subsequently wanted to be free of 'all that' and just explore
their vision.
hmm. hard to get your vision across when you don't understand the
fundamentals. Now we're talking professionals here working in the
field not just rank amateurs.. Anyway this guy in time also became
known as 'good' as his suggestions for improvements led to better
results. Back to our conversation - he was explaining that the tech
stuff I was boring the class with began to make sense as he started
working and it came back to him, and obstacles for others were easily
solved with what he knew. His creativity was free to flourish, he was
noted for his skill and he rose to DOP.
if I don't know how to make a good wood joint I'm going to find it
hard to build a strong piece of furniture.
k
