Karl:
Actually, I thought the Avanti was a quite wonderful looking vehicle. Way
ahead of its time and unfortunately too late to save Studebaker. It's
designer was one Raymond Loewy, considered to be one of the most creative
designers. Beauty still is in the eye of the beholder.
Cheers, mate,
Dave
----- Original Message -----
From: "karl shah-jenner" <shahjen@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students"
<photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2007 8:01 PM
Subject: Re: [SPAM] criticism and teaching
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
