Photography

Good Lookin' Photo Club (Brandeis HS)

09 May 2011, 4:27 PM by keith, High School

Led by teaching artist Yarrow Lutz, The Good Lookin' Photo Club recently shot portraits of their fellow Brandeis HS students, including members of the drama club. They experimented with using different colored lighting and with directing their subjects to capture different personalities and emotions.  The slideshow below is a collection of some of their best shots.

Also, students have each been working on a self-directed independent project to form the foundation for a portfolio of work created during the year.  To continue to develop their unique style and interest, students each selected a subject of their choice, and then worked to create a body of work around this topic.  Subjects range from the interaction between nature and the man-made aspects of the city, live musical performances and natural light and shadows.  Check out the slideshow below to see the work of these amazing young photographers. 

Story by Jemima Osea-Asante
 
Three weeks ago I watched my peers in MediaLab prepare for their big-screen debut at the Tribeca Film Institute’s Our City, My Story showcase, and last Friday night I had the honor to watch their hard work and dedication be brought to light. 
 
We were welcomed to the event by a large billboard sign that read “Bright Lights, Big Screen,” and then we stepped on the red carpet to have our pictures taken like true film professionals.
 

 
MediaLabbers brought their ‘A’ game to Tribeca, looking sharp for the cameras. Behind them is Tribeca’s step-and-repeat wall. (These walls are commonly used at important events like the Academy Awards.)
 
The morning screening, which was exclusive for student filmmakers, was held at Tribeca’s Performing Arts Center in the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), while the evening screening for public viewing was held at Chelsea Clearview Cinemas.  Though both atmospheres were busy I was able to ask Tribeca’s Director of Education, Lisa Lucas, where her motivation to organize the show came from. “We want to connect young filmmakers with an audience,” she said. 
 
When I spoke to aspiring student filmmakers in the audience they shared how they felt that having money to make films was a big factor in being able to participate. “I’d love to have a lot of money to participate in this, but cinematography equipment and key editing programs like Final Cut Pro cost thousands of dollars.  I don’t have that kind of money.” Personally, I feel lucky to be working with MediaLab, where students are provided with the equipment and guidance they need to produce their own films. And thanks to the Tribeca Film Institute, young artists have one less thing to worry about: they have a center where they can go to view and share their work!
 

 
As soon as Type Cast appeared on the big screen the MediaLab crew cheered and the other students in the audience made a short improvisation to the opening song.  It was a proud moment for all of us, as we all knew the secrets behind every scene and the steps taken to make Type Cast possible.  Joshua Diaz, one of the main characters in the documentary, shared how “I got to spread awareness about diabetes, and I did so with MY story… It’s great to see it actually getting out there.”  The entire MediaLab crew was thrilled to share our work with an audience that can take the film’s message to heart and make better decisions to promote good health.
 

 
Tribeca did a fine job when it came to presenting a wide range of issue-driven films: undocumented immigration, gentrification, the politics of food, gun violence, and the education system.   A crowd favorite was the short documentary A Block from Home by students from John Dewey High School.   In this film, gun violence victim Brandon Ragnot re-enacts his near-death experience and shares his remarkable journey to recovery.  Brandon's was the only film to receive a standing ovation, something that has never happened before at the festival according to Lisa Lucas.  
 
All in all, the MediaLabbers had a wonderful time.  Thank you to Lisa Lucas and the Tribeca Film Institute for organizing this incredible event!

The students from IS 230's after school photography club have been working with teaching artist Elise Rasmussen to produce a guidebook for their Jackson Heights neighborhood.  Students have been exploring the unique and diverse aspects of the community through neighborhood walks to shoot pictures for the visitor's guide.  They have broken up into a staff of "departments" that are each responsible for content pertaining to a specific aspect of the guidebook, such as attractions or restaurants.  The departments will also write brief articles to go along with their images, and everything will be compiled into the book celebrating and documenting Jackson Heights.  Each student will receive a printed copy of the visitor's guide in May.

Recently, the group went on a field trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to examine the work of photographers Steiglitz, Strand and Steichen, as well as the museum's displays of contemporary photography.  Students each took inspiration from one of the pieces they viewed, then went on an outdoor shoot in Central Park to capture an image in response to the piece they studied.  

Additionally, these young photographers have been developing skills for being professional artists, such as editing and titling their work, and creating their own artist statements.  Elise and the students have maintained a rotating display in the school over the course of the year so that students can share their work with the school community.

On Mon, May 02, 2011 at 4:08 PM, isabella wrote:
these kids from is230 look very talented !!
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MS 258 Photo Club Explores NYC

25 Mar 2011, 11:47 AM by keith, Middle School

The students in MS 258's after school photo and video program have been exploring NYC with their cameras to capture life in the city. The focused on depicting shadows, patterns, portraits and urban landscapes.  Led by teaching artist Alain Davis, students have been developing their skills with the camera and seeing familiar places in new ways.

“Since I like to take pictures, I like that the others in the class can understand the art in my pictures and the feelings I’m trying to show.  The class lets us express ourselves.” – Crystal, 7th grade

“I like the class because it’s a chance to learn something new.  Some people might think photography is boring, but once you start doing it, you find out it is actually interesting.  You learn to see things differently and you get to meet new people.” – Anthony, 7th grade

 

IS 230 Afterschool Programs

11 Feb 2011, 5:37 PM by Lisa LH, Middle School

Students at IS 230 have been doing great work in the Urban Arts afterschool programs!  Through photography and mask making, students have explored their neighborhood and aspects of their personalities.

 

In the photography class, students have been working with teaching artist Elise Rasmussen to document their neighborhood.

 

In the mask-making program with teaching artist Beto Sepulveda, students have created Vejigantes, protection masks from Puerto Rico. The masks symbolize what students would like to protect in their current surroundings and culture. The students created this animation as a fun way to show off their masks.

On Mon, Feb 28, 2011 at 4:46 PM, izzy wrote:
the photography did a great job and by this video i can really tell that the photography group did an awesome job
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