Course Syllabus
Storytelling through Photography
| Semester & Location: |
Summer 2024, Session 1 - DIS Stockholm |
| Type & Credits: |
Core/Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Communications. Photography. Visual Arts. |
| Faculty Members: |
Anna Simonsson |
| Academic support: | |
| Time & Place: |
Time: see schedule (varies from day to day) Room: C-502 |
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.
You will engage with the medium of photography while at the same time learning about some of the world's most famous photographers. 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 classmates. Using the basic tools of photography – a camera, time and light – you will learn to responsibly and concisely discuss your work.
Photographs tell stories in ways words cannot, and this class invites you to immerse yourself in Swedish life and tell stories with your camera. Together, we utilize photography as a means of making sense of your time abroad and reflecting on your life experiences in general.
This class combines both photographic assignments, field work, critiques and a better knowledge about photography and its most influental photographers.
Learning Objectives
- You will gain a deeper understanding of the cultural impact of the medium of photography and you will be able to locate your own work in relation to that tradition.
- You will learn how to 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 fellow classmates – and be able to thoughtfully describe the meaning of a photograph.
- You will develop a new sensitivity to looking at the world through the lens of a camera.
- You will become knowledgeable about the process of creating a story or conveying a certain stance with images and you will get your own experiences doing so.
Faculty
Anna Simonsson
Studied photojournalism at Nordens Fotoskola (2002). Since then she has worked full time with photojournalism and is specialized in portraits and stories. Anna works mostly for magazines and union newspapers and was the photo editor of the now closed magazine Ingenjören. In 2010 and 2012 she won the Best Photo Award at the Union Press Day.
Email: dis@annasimonsson.com , anna.simonsson@disstockholm.se
Telephone: +46704675669
Readings
Søren Pagter “The Essential image”
Karlsson et. al "Nordic Life"
Expectations of the Students
I want you to feel comfortable enough to dare to make photographic mistake, while at the same time giving the photographic assignment your best effort. I understand that all students have different backgrounds and experiences in photography, therefore will have different levels of results. I expect that students will work hard, try their best, be creative and have fun while doing it. That is what I reward.
Attendance at all class sessions is mandatory. Two unexcused absences will warrant a reduced letter grade.
In order to be eligible for a passing grade in the class, all work must be submitted.
Bring a camera. Do your best. Technique is good to know but it is not the most important thing in this course. I will value your work 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 is a part of the discussions in class.
If you have difficulties with an assignment please consult your instructor before your deadline. This does not mean that you will get a pass, but that you will get advice on how to solve the issue.
NOTE: Students are expected to bring their own camera, preferably a camera with the option of manual settings (e.g. a DSLR or mirrorless camera).
Assignments and Evaluations
Presentation - Your photographer presentations in front of the class.
Assignments - How you work with the different assignments.
Artist statement- How you work with more artistic photography.
Participation
- Engage in class discussions.
- Be present in class.
- Engage during field studies.
Photographic assignments
- Make sure you understand the brief and put your thought into solving them.
- Make sure you understand the challenge and have it finished (and printed, if required) on time.
Grading:
Assignments: 60%
Presentation: 20%
Artistic: 20%
Field Studies
A visit to Fotografiska muséet and workshops outside DIS
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
Course Summary:
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