It is 12:17 in the morning on Saturday July 19. We just returned from watching a broadway play, titled Passing Strange. The entire production was so well put together and even the students that were watching it for the second time were amazed with the show. This play was able to reach out and touch the lives of all of us as well as the the assistants and professors. I believe everyone would agree that this is a must see show that is fit for viewers of all backgrounds, ages, etc. Earlier in the day we had a research tour of Bobst Library, and then took the subway to Battery Park. From there we went to Liberty Island. For many of us it was the first time at the Statue of Liberty. Walking around the island I was amazed at all of the architectural detail built into and around the statue. Once everyone was completed taking pictures we took the ferry to Ellis Island. This was truly an experience for many of us because we have family that has passed through those very gates into the country that we call home today. We were able to spend about an hour and a half on Ellis Island taking pictures as well as researching family history. Following this trip we stopped in battery park to get ice cream and sit in the shade for slight relief from the brutal summer sun and then we were off to ground zero. Everyone in the group has different stories to tell relating to the events of that day, whether it is witnessing the towers from the school window or sitting at home watching it on the t.v. The group was able to see the future memorial plans for the sight and the actual construction that was taking place. This concluded a long afternoon which led back to the dorm for dinner and then off to see Passing Strange.
For now-Dylan
Friday, July 18, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
"Get it right. Get it light. Get it tight."
Hello family, friends and strangers,
We are on the 4th working day of the Photo & Imaging HS summer program and already the days are busy as ever, in a good way. Today, of course, was no different. We spent most of our day inside the Tisch building experimenting with different photography aspects.
First, we looked at the work of several artists including Abelardo Morell and Vera Lutter who took incredible images using the technique of pin hole photography and just a little imagination. Then, we proceeded to make our own pin hole cameras. This was a particularly interesting project since it shows how a person can esentially make a camera out of almost any material. In our case, the objects people used ranged from small cans to large computer boxes. These objects all created very unique images on the photo paper depending on their shape and size. We also got to develop this paper in the dark room for the first time during this program.
The final lab aspect of the day consisted of learning how to cut and store our film properly. The TAs showed us how to make a contact sheet and print from our black and white negatives. We will implement this ourselves during lab time on Saturday.
Tonight, we watched a video about the history of Ellis Island, which we will get a chance to explore tomorrow. I think we are all really looking forward to this first full day field trip. Wish us luck and oportune photo moments! : D
Until later,
Chaska
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
"That Monkey was in...New Jersey" - S. Plachy
We are currently on day #3 of our fabulous summer program, and had the absolute pleasure of hearing Sylvia Plachy today. Plachy came to New York as a teenager with her family from Hungary. She began photographing after art school, and "caught the bug [of looking for pictures]". She has had a great career photographing for the Village Voice and the New Yorker, among others. Besides photographing, she has also written for these publications. Her writing is wonderful and she has made a point of finding the mystery of things in both writing and photographing. In response to Plachy and her sense of place, the students have gone out "looking for pictures" in Central Park and the surrounding area. How very exciting!
over and out & forever yours,
Sophie L. (teaching assistant to get this blog rolling)
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