Course Syllabus

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Ways of Seeing: Storytelling Through Photography

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Semester & Location:

Fall 2024 - DIS Stockholm
Type & Credits:

Elective Course - 3 credits
Major Disciplines:

Communications, Photography, Visual Arts, Art History
Prerequisite(s)

None
Faculty Members:

Johan Marklund (current students please use the Canvas Inbox)
Time & Place:

Tuesdays & Friday 08:30 – 9:50, 1D-411

 

Course Description

Study abroad often serves as a key experience and a turning point in your understanding of the world. This class is an effort to make sense of your study abroad stay: rather than creating photographs as mementos, you will make pictures that are unique to your stay in Stockholm, but still refer back to your life in general. It is not enough to point a camera at a tourist site or use it to make Facebook or Instagram images. You will be encouraged to view your new environment – not through the lens of an outsider viewing a novelty, but to give us, as viewers, special access to your world.

This class combines a studio critique and a survey of the history and theory of photography. You will engage with the medium of photography while at the same time learning about some of the most significant photographers that your pictures reference. While the artistic practice is almost entirely self-directed, you will participate in regular critiques in order to gain a deeper understanding of your own photographs, as well as those of your colleagues. Using the basic tools of photography – a camera, time and light – you will learn to responsibly and concisely discuss your work. Critique focuses on intentionality and embedded meaning, while studying the history of photography places your work in the context of this relatively young medium.

 

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Learning Objectives

  • -  You will gain a deeper understanding of the cultural impact of the medium of photography in a photographic context, and you will be able to locate your own work in relation to that tradition.

  • -  You will get a deeper understanding how to manipulate a camera with agility and create the pictures you want to make, in terms of technique, form and content.

  • -  You will engage in the language of photographic critique – both of your own work and that of your fellows – and be able to thoughtfully describe the meaning of a photograph.

  • -  You will generate a personal artist statement that is at once concise and legible.

 You will develop a new sensitivity to looking at the world through the lens of a camera.

Faculty

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Johan Marklund is a freelance photographer/photojournalist with more than 15 years in the business. He works in a broad range of photographic disciplines stretching from editorial travel & outdoor photography to commercial industry assignments. Mostly he portraits people or makes reportage on location.

Readings

Petter Karlsson et al, Nordic Life

https://digital-photography-school.com

 

Approach to Teaching

During the course you will be given different assignments based on photographing people and the surroundings in Stockholm. You will show your photos and get feedback and critique in class. You will also learn how to give critique to your classmates. When giving critiques you will have to put words on your thoughts and feelings that you get when looking at photos. To get and to give critique is a very good way to learn more about yourself and your way of photographing. Each semester every student will be given a photographer to do a 15 minutes talk about and also show photos of a this photographer. There will also be field studies focusing on visiting different museums and look at photos, paintings and other art forms that can inspire us to become more aware of our surroundings, ourselves and to become better photographers. During large part of the semester the student will also work on its personal project that will end up as a smaller exhibition at DIS.

Expectations of the Students

Students are expected to bring their own camera, preferably a DSLR, that is capable of shooting in a fully manual mode. It is recommended to bring a digital camera other than a phone. Do your best. Technique is good to know but it is not the most important thing in this course. Your work will be valued from your ambition, how hard you have tried and how well you follow instructions. It is also of importance that you are interested in your classmates work, give them feedback and that you participate in the discussions in class.

Evaluation

Presentation - Your presentations in front of the class.

Midterm - How you have started your long project,  How your work with the guest teacher assignment

Assignments - How you work with quicker assignment, longer assignments and group assignment. 

Final portfolio- Your work with the final project and showcase.

Artist statement- How you work together with other form of art.

Attendance at all class sessions is mandatory. Two unexcused absences will warrant a reduced letter grade. Three unexcused absences will result in failure.

In order to be eligible for a passing grade in the class, all work must be submitted.

Grading

Assignment

Percent
Assignments 

40%

 Midterm 

10%

Artist statement

 30%

Presentations

10%

Final portfolio

10%

Disability and resource statement

Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Academic Support (acadsupp@dis.dk) to coordinate this. In order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations within the first two weeks of classes.

 Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on: 

 

 

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

Course Summary:

Date Details Due