Final Project Idea

For my final project, I’d like to do five prints that center around images present in the poem “Letter home to Base Untranslatable” by Shira Erlichman. This poem deals with a lot of different topics, but, to me, its main focus is on capturing a sense of the issues of the modern world as we move further and further away from natural life. It deals with the absurdities of modern life and is a piece that has so many vivid images (which is why I chose it as the poem I wanted to base my final project on).
I have a lot of different ideas for the images I want to take (such as a stop sign, landscape, a clock, a 7-11 or Walmart, people being intimate in some sense etc.). I’ll decide which of the images from the poem to use based on what I think captures the poem best. When presenting, I want to have the focus of the project be on the computer screen playing Shira reading her poem. I plan string the pictures surrounding the computer. I don’t want to say too much more about it because I don’t want to give too much away, but I want to have my images be able to capture the message of the poem on their own, rather than be dependent on the poem to have meaning.

"The Americans" Exhibit Response

I had never heard of Robert Frank before taking this course, and after Colby showed us Frank's image of the people of the bus, I was immediately struck by its composition. It not only brought new meaning to the way of framing a photo, but it also told the story of segregation in the south. I was amazed by how one photo could accomplish that. So when I found out that this was one photo from many displaying Frank's perspective American life--and that we'd be going to see his whole exhibit--I was pretty excited.

It was great to see Frank's progression as a photographer, from a novice trying to be published in Life Magazine to finally the work he produced in "The Americans". I was really struck by his early work as well; the photos from his "Everyday People" should have won the Life contest in my opinion. I was particularly interested in the photos from his travels through Europe and Peru as well as his "Black, White and Things" project, which was conceptually very well done. I'd love to travel through Latin America one day, and Frank's photographic interpretation of the Peruvian people and their lives was certainly intriguing.

Once we got to "The Americans" part of the exhibit, the first thing I gravitated towards was Frank's letters to Jack Kerouac about writing the intro to his collection of photos. The letters were friendly, and I think that Kerouac's quirky writing style mixed with Frank's "off the beaten path" photos were a great match. Like everyone else, I loved seeing Frank's contact sheets; it made me feel like a legit photographer to see that I go through the same process of elimination that famous photographers do. During the tour, I felt like the curator was moving too fast, because I wanted to hang around and really look at the photos! I was particularly struck by how close of a proximity Frank got to his subjects--I remember the one he took at a funeral where he literally looming over the coffin--which reminded me a lot of Jim Natchwey's style. Frank captures very "fly on the wall" moments that truly represents different aspects of American life. To think that he traveled for two years across the country and took 28,000 photos still amazes me--but I am absolutely sure that the project wouldn't have been so effective if he had not put so much effort into it. Also, the way in which Frank groups some of his photos (like the five Colby presented to us in class) is definitely inspirational to me as I consider what to photograph for our final project. I think that "Looking In" is a very appropriate title for Frank's exhibit, not only were we looking in at his work, but we were looking into his methods behind what made his work so remarkable.

Final Project

As I thought about what I wanted to do for my final project I knew that I wanted to do something about my experience here at SMCM, and how I have changed throughout the four years here. People where many "hats" in life, which shows the different sides of them, or their personality. I literally can think back year to year, and think of a hat or scarf or other head garment I wore each year, which represented me at that point in time. Each year I also had a specific part of campus that represented that year for me. I either spent a lot of time at that place, a special event happened at that place, or I " found" myself, or an important answer to a question I was asking at that place. For my junior year, when I was studying abroad, I also had a place on this campus that I longed to be, and actually looked at a lot in pictures or on the St. Mary's webcam.

I plan on taking a series of five pictures with these different head garments and the place that represented each year for me. I am not going to be present in the first four pictures. The first one will be of my green head scarf and Queen Anne ( freshman year where I lived), my SMCM hat and Kent ( sophmore year, when I decided on my major and associated more with being an SMCM student ), my red headband near the anchor by the waterfront ( where I looked at when I was homesick, and also, the anchor represents a lot to me), and then I am going to take two for this year. For last semester I am going to take a picture of my Obama hat near WC because the election was a big part of last semester for me, and the place I live, and the final picture will be around sunset down at Church Point with me, reflected in a circular mirror,wearing my gradution cap. The sunset represents the sun setting on my time here, the circle mirror, repsresenting how I feel like a lot of things have come full circle in my life, and experiences I have been through have gone full circle. The fact that I am going to be present in this picture, through my reflection, will show that through college I have found myself, and I will show the world ( in which is also reflected) that self.

I am planning on mounting these on a large board with a quote that really touched me by Rainer Maira Rilke about asking questions and living life.

War Photographer: James Nachtwey

The documentary portraying famous photojournalist, James Nachtwey, changed not only the way I view journalistic photographs, but truly the whole way I look at the world. To me, this was one of the most influential films I have ever seen. Perhaps because I used to want to be a journalist, or because I love to travel and explore the world; or perhaps out of my new-found respect for photography, this movie really inspired me to make a difference. The work Nachtwey does is incredible for so many reasons. Not only are his photographs amazing, but the way he lives his life, so incredibly devoted to his subjects and the field of photography, is awe-inspiring to me. I'm not at all saying that I could live a life like this, or even that I admire those who do; but I am saying that I am so glad that there are people in this world who are strong enough and devoted enough to do the work that the rest of us are not cut out to do.

After viewing the film, I was left with more questions than I started with and I would love to have an opportunity to sit down with Nachtwey (even though I'm sure he would have no interest in sitting down with me!) Although I do not believe that everyone who views War Photographer will become a photo journalist, I do hope that this film will inspire others in the way it has inspired me to be consciencous of our world affairs and make a difference in the little ways we can. Nachtwey says, "It's our responsibility, because if we don't, who will?" What a powerful film.

Visit to "The Americans" exhibit

Although I've been to many art museums throughout my life, I don't think I've ever gone with the specific intention of viewing a photographer's exhibit. I really enjoyed our visit to the National Gallery in D.C., as it gave me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only see a famous photographer's work but also get a personalized tour from the curators of the show. I'm also really glad that I saw this exhibit after learning about and experiencing photography in a photography class. I think it was much more meaningful to me to view Frank's work from the perspective of someone who understands even just the basics of photography than it would have been otherwise. I was able to appreciate the photographs as more than just "pretty pictures" which is how I may have viewed them before taking this class.

In terms of the exhibit itself, I really love the perspective Frank took in his portrayal of America and American people. He was an innovator and decided to take a more realistic approach by photographing "real" people rather than the glitz and glamor of American life. I wish more artists would take this perspective even today, especially in the media. I'm glad Frank took the initiative and fought for the value of his artwork. I greatly admire his work and am grateful to have been given the opportunity to see it first-hand.

War Photographer

War Photographer--

I just realized that my post never posted for whatever reason...


This film was very eye-opening for me. We see it everywhere, the news, magazines, newspapers. The war is everywhere, you flip through a magazine and you see the pictures, but most of the time, lets be honest, we normally skip right through. We don't look at them. We don't see them, we try to ignore it. It is important to note the work that goes into getting these "simple" photographs that we surely take for granted. People put their lives at risk.

What I find important about Natchwey's work is that he finds the "truth" in war. He shows what the television dares to not show. What I found amazing about him as a person is that he gets right in the middle of all the action and his prescence seems invisible almost. The people around him in these situations are so accepting, so unknowing of his prescence, he meshes with the people. His friends even said that he has been hurt many times, but it doesn't seem to phase him, he even said he didn't know what he does what he does, he just does it because someone has to.

The film begins with words I clearly remember, "If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough," this is Natchwey's goal, to produce excellent, close-up pictures of real-life happenings. The work that he does in countries well-priveledged than ours is something that should really be focused on more. The story he captured about the one family that lived right next to the railroad tracks was the most memorable for me. The family came together even though they literally had nothing. The father lost a leg and an arm, and yet he loved his children, this is captured in Natchwey's photographs perfectly, without thought. He is bathing his children in the water and Natchwey is right there with them in this seemingly private moment, it's beautiful.

Like I mentioned, the film was very touching to me and helped me with the portrait assignment, and hopefully all my future work, you have to get close to the action if your pictures are not what you want them to be. You have to become part of the scene, and this is what makes Natchwey so unique.

Robert Frank: "The Americans"

Going on the field trip to the exhibition of Robert Frank’s The Americans in the National Gallery in D.C. turned out to be a really interesting experience. After having done several photography projects in class, I have learned how to take, develop and print pictures and developed a better understanding of how much work photography is and how many possibilities to express oneself it comprehends. To combine the knowledge that I have gained in class with the exhibition of pictures of a famous photographer lets me experience the exhibition from a different point of view than if I had seen it without this class.

It was interesting to see not only Robert Frank’s enlarged final pictures but also his contact sheets and work prints. I think that made his exhibition a lot more accessible for us students as we can see the photographer going through a process and taking the same steps as we do in class. It also helped me a lot to have gotten a little insight about his work before going to the exhibition and during the tour. I think it is very impressive that he actually photographed inconspicuous day-to-day situation of his time in quick moments, but by capturing and presenting them the way he did, he gave these circumstances importance, attention and a critical voice, that speaks to us even more than half a century later. I especially have the picture in mind that shows the bus and its passengers sitting in a racial seating order. But also very other picture conveys his attitude on society back than to us nowadays.

Robert Frank--The Americans

Initially, I was just excited to be going on a field trip to see a renowned photographer's work, but as I learned more about Frank's work, it became even more exciting. As you enter the exhibit these words are displayed against an entire wall, “I am always looking outside, trying to look inside, trying to say something that is true. But maybe nothing is really true. Except what’s out here. And what’s out there is always changing.” This quote by Frank made me consider his work on a deeper level, but also, mine as well. The quote left it to open to the imagination, the world is always changing, but what you can convey, is the photograph as you see the world.

Our guide told us that Frank's work on the Americans was not well-liked at first. His work showed America in a light that had never been showcased before. He went places no one dared to, he stepped outside the limits. This is what made him a fantastic photographer. He traveled over America from coast to coast to REALLY get the sense of the country.

One thing Brittany and I discussed while working our way through the showcase was the general wonderment of How in the world he was accepted in all of these places? How did he get so up close and personal with these people that he shared nothing in common with? How was he accepted as one of them? Frank ventured many places that, I would think, would be considered private. There were several pictures of Frank right in the midst of funerals in very close distance, these were private gatherings for mourning families that he made very public by publishing these photographs. There was only one photograph in which the subjects seemed to really notice Frank's prescence, this photograph was known as his favorite because he had it was like this awkward moment where you know you got caught.

My favorite picture was the one of a black woman holding a white child, there was just something completely gravitating about the picture. It was fascinating. I loved seeing Frank's contact sheets and his work prints, it showed how much he had to work with and the process of figuring out which images made the cut and which ones didn't. His choices were chosen for a reason important to him, and as I am getting more knowledge in photography, I am realizing how many choices the photographers have. I felt like with my knowledge, I could really appreciate his work more by looking at details such as the depth of field and positioning of the subjects, everything comes together to make his pictures what they were.

As we left and continued on to photograph outside, I felt less afraid to get close to people. I felt like I would do what it took to get, what I saw, the perfect picture.

Nadja Groener

Vince Massincupp

Allie Snyder

Megan Seeman

Lindsey Sitz

Courtney Teed

response to Robert Frank's "The Americans" exhibit

Robert Frank's The Americans exhibit allowed me to see a famous photographer's work in a way that no other photography exhibit as allowed me to do before. Not only was I able to see so many of his final prints from the series up close and in detail, I could also see a bit of the whole process that Frank went through during and after his travels around the United States in the 1950s in such a way that I could relate to as a photographer. I started the tour by getting to look at some of the artists and photobooks from various time periods that both influenced Frank's life and work and also helped to shape the concept and meaning of the photobook over time. This was especially interesting because I was able to learn a little bit about how photobooks are put together in different ways.

I was especially excited to be able to see some of Frank's work prints and contact sheets because you don't usually get to see the working process of famous photographers. Looking at his process behind The Americans final series allowed me to relate personally to Robert Frank. It's almost like it helped break down the barrier between Frank, a famous photographer who is especially well known for his controversial post World War II photography, and myself, a relatively new photographer who is still developing her own creative voice, to see that all photographers work through incredibly similar processes to create such polished final prints for their viewers.

"The Americans" Response

Going to DC yesterday to see the Robert Frank exhibit, I was kind of reminded of why I took photography in the first place. While I enjoy art exhibits of all kinds, I am particularly drawn to photography because it is less of an artist’s imagination or perception of a world and more of his/her pursuit of capturing a moment in time in a particular way. I think what really draws me to photography is that you as the artist are able to take control of what you are saying about a person, a setting, or whatever your subject may be. With the camera in your hands, you are able to reveal yourself to the audience by the ways in which you photograph.
I was really intrigued by the quote with which the tour “The Americans” started. I wrote down Robert Frank’s words that, “I am always looking outside, trying to look inside, trying to say something that is true. But maybe nothing is really true. Except what’s out here. And what’s out there is always changing.” Frank’s words fascinate me because they convey a sense of wonder about the world—a sense of questioning everything he thinks and being an active participant and observer of a constantly changing world. I think too often people fall into routines and forget to look at the world as something that is very present—we think a lot about the future and the past but not always enough about the fact that our surrounding will never be the same as they are now. I think Frank’s work captures this idea because in his photographs, one can see that he is always looking to say something about what he perceives as true, but one never gets the sense that he feels his perception of truth is accurate. By looking at his negatives, for instance, I got the sense that he saw his photographs as bits of life rather than masterful revelations of a moment in time. His writing on his negatives is sloppy, his organization isn’t very precise. These things together gave me the sense that when creating his work, Frank was looking for the pieces that he felt best reflected his sense of what America was during the time, in terms of both what was in the public eye and what was not. He was not looking to create a neat , clean cut view of the world.
I think the first image in “The Americans” reflects what I really liked about Frank’s photographs. The color in his images seems bold and expression. The prints he chose seem telling. At the end of the day, what looking at Frank’s photographs left me feeling inspired. I hope that in the photos I take for the rest of the semester, I can think precisely and carefully about what I’m trying to capture. I’m learning more and more that photography isn’t simply about snapping a picture, it’s about constructing an image.

The trip to the National Gallery was really informative and made me think about photography on a deeper level than I have before. This is the first time going to a museum to view pictures since taking this class, and I could tell how my knowledge, even though still limited, has helped me gain insight into the pictures I was seeing.

To begin, it was a very unique experience to go the exhibits with the people who put them together. The first tour I was on was the photbook one. Honestly, if it wasn't for the tourguide and my new interest in the layout of photos, I would have walked through this room ver yquickly, and wouldn't have gained much knowledge from it. The woman was very thourough though, and helped me think of the world that photography was taking place in. The way pictures are taken not only shows a way of life, but also gives an insight into cultural and social phenomena that were taking place at the time. The differences in angles and lighting were being experimented with, as well as taking pictures cross culturally and comparing them. The pictures that stuck out to me were the ones of children playing in the U.S. and Japan. This showed evidence ( of fact as in a picture... even though that statement can be debated) that all children, regardless of location, are children, and enjoy playing. I also enjoyed the U.S.A. book, which was a more modern looking layout for places to see across the United States. The last case stuck out to me for several reasons. First of all, the sunset strip idea was very simple yet unique because all the building on the strip were photographed, and then arranged as a strip. The negative and positive image of the woman also showed me how one photograph can be altered in many different ways. I couldn't help but think how I could develope one of my own photos like that.

As we moved on, and went into the main exhibit, I enjoyed listening to the stories and reasonings and meanings behind each of Robert Frank's pictures. I especially liked the contact sheets and work prints. I would not have known what these were before, and it was intriguing to look at the actual pieces of paper and the steps that Frank went through to develope each picture. Like me, and all of us in this class, he went through the same "old fashioned" steps. I liked seeing this in a museum setting, as we usually only see the finished product. I also thought a lot about what people thought of this influential book, and it made me realize how important art is in society. The differnet layouts of the ooks across the years definitely had an impact in the message of the books, and little changes can do that. The last picture of the car stands out to me, as he spent most of his life on the road, and with his family. This seemed to show his love for both, but also his separation from his family because of his work ( since he was not in the car with them.) This picture seemed to indicate that this journey would continue.

As I left the museum and walked around D.C. I was inspired to not only take pictures of the monuments, but also people. There were many peopel to photograph as it was crowded, and I seemed to walk past a lot of photo opportunities, but I felt uncomfortable getting up in people's space. It made me think about what Frank must have gone through to capture these people. I realized that these pictures are special not because of what is depicted, and the "realness" in which it is depicted, but I realize how difficult it is to aquire most of these pictures. If it were me, all my pictures would end up like Frank's favorite ... of the man glaring at him!

Vote for Top 5

Please look at Portraits in Hall Walls, and make your TOP 5 choices by choosing 5 folks from the Poll to the right. Voting will be over by Wednesday, April 8, midnight. I will tabulate the top 5 vote getters, then repost a poll for Top choice. Winner gets a pack of 11x14 fiber paper to work on their final with.

War Photographer

I particularly enjoyed this movie. I liked getting to see a photographer working in the real world. I knew in the back of my head that the photographs taken during wartime are actual people in those moments taking the photographs, but we tend to ignore the photographer and the impact that war may have on them. It made me really think about the construction of the photograph. Natchwey was physically there amidst the turmoil, dodging bombs and bullets to create his photographs. Too often, we tend to get caught up in the images portrayed in the photographs and forget that they are constructed images by real people. Frequently, Natchwey referred to his work as wanting people to see the truth of war, but at the same time, he was constructing the images in such a way to get people to care about the wars and stir up desires for peace in the viewers. In this way, while photography will reveal truths about the world around us through the preservation of a moment on film, but can be constructed to play on people’s emotions and elicit a response.

I also found it interesting that people let him photograph them during those moments. My initial reaction when he photographed the old woman at the beginning was surprise. I thought she would get annoyed with him following her and try to make him go away, but she sat there, resigned, not caring. I would expect people to have been more irritated, angry, and upset at being photographed in those moments. However, he described it as having a good relationship with them, because they understand that his photography gives them a voice to the atrocities that are happening to them. He can bring attention to their plight and gain them sympathy from the rest of the world. Because they have been beaten down by war and poverty, they no longer care about presenting for the camera, or hiding from it. I found that extremely interesting. I liked how his presence and the presence of the camera almost did not matter to them, and the camera didn’t really change the relationship between Natchwey and his subjects. They did not become shy or change their behavior because of the camera. After the portrait assignment, I find that very impressive.

War Photographer: James Nachtwey

I always thought that the job of a war photographer must be really hard, since they are in the midst of danger every second, but I never quite experienced so vividly the adrenaline these photographers experience until I saw the documentary about James Nachtwey. I felt like I was there in the same place as Nachtwey. So, even as a viewer I can feel all types of emotions, can we even imagine what Nachtwey's body and mind goes through everyday in a war zone, or even along the railroad tracks? It's impossible unless we are physically there and doing his job. But the physicality of his job is just one part of the requirements, what he leaves behind, his family, friends, comfort of the familiar, everything, is just another heavy weight Nachtwey has to learn how to deal with in order to achieve his goals, professionally and personally. 

One point he made is very true as to what the media wants to publish and what not. Our society has come to appreciate more what cosmetology means than what humanity means. It is true that companies are more willing to publish aesthetically pleasing photographs such as of a model than a photograph of a man with one leg and one arm along the railroad tracks. It will make them more money, because that's what we as the audience approve. Nachtwey's job is impressive not just for the risk taking, but for the awareness that he aims to promote with his images. 

I think the camera is a very interesting tool. It's not only useful for documenting events, peoples, etc, but I think it acts as a mediator between the person, object, situation, being photographed and the distant viewer; the people looking at the photo in the newspaper or a gallery.