Why Photography?
Allison Milewski
Teacher, Photography II
In a recent Photography II class at Facing History High School, the students were debating the ethical and technical challenges inherent in documenting the disparity between rich and poor in New York City. Using vocabulary words from the Facing History and Ourselves curriculum as a starting point, the students created storyboard drawings of images that they would like to photograph for their Photo Essay assignment.
Daniel F. and Jenny S. prepare the equipment
Justina D., Suspense
One student had selected as her subject the extremes of poverty and wealth in the city and as the class discussed her proposal, several challenging questions were raised: Is it OK to photograph someone without their permission? What is a photographer’s responsibility to the individuals who are being photographed? Is it possible for a photographer to manipulate images to make a point, and is it ever OK to do so? Do we make assumptions about the people we are photographing and if so, how does that influence the story that we tell? How do we know when we are advocating on an individual’s behalf and when we are exploiting them for the sake of our work? When a photographer is documenting another person’s life, is she telling the subject’s story or her own? What is fact? What is truth?
Daveen D., Lonely World
Nicholas M. at work
The debate continued for most of the class and no definitive answers were achieved. However, the process of asking the questions challenged the student’s approach to their own creative process and changed the way they spoke about the documentary photography that we reviewed in class.
Rudi E., Immigrant Labor
For me this is the joy of teaching photography. Photography challenges students to confront their own assumptions and to ask themselves deeper questions about the barrage of images that surround them everyday. It also provides them with the power to shape their world and tell their own story from their own creative perspective. It is an accessible medium that allows the novice to make images like a professional but requires hard work and many years to truly master. The photographs that the students create can transcend cultural differences and spark conversation, giving us insight into their lives and raising awareness about issues that effect us all.
Marianna L., Deep in Thought
Starling R., Newborn, Old Born
Finally, I'm very proud to highlight two of our students, whose work was featured as part of a student exhibit at MOMA: Marianna Luna and Daniel Familia.