"Identity, Mediated"
Paired up randomly, students take two pictures to represent their partners after interviewing each other.
The black & white portrait imitates the style of one of the following photographers whose work we have discussed in class: Julia Margaret Cameron, David Octavius Hill, Oscar Gustav Rejlander, Matthew Brady, Alexander Gardner, Etienne Carjat, or Gaspard Félix Tournachon Nadar. Students choose their own style and approach they deem appropriate to portray their partners in the color picture.
Students are encouraged to use the essay to help the viewer understand who their partners are, or the essay can even contradict the way their partners are portrayed in their photographs. Alternatively, the photographs and words can give their partners a constructed identity that might be different from their own perception.
*Students: when commenting on the b&w pictures, think about whether or not the evocation of a specific photographer's work is successful. Consider how much effort the photographer/model put into staging the shot (dress/costume, props, lighting, etc.) and what you think should have been done to make the picture better. Consider the composition, contrast, saturation, and image/text relationship when commenting on each photograph.
(Note: the texts and comments have not been redacted, edited, or corrected for typos or errors)
Paired up randomly, students take two pictures to represent their partners after interviewing each other.
The black & white portrait imitates the style of one of the following photographers whose work we have discussed in class: Julia Margaret Cameron, David Octavius Hill, Oscar Gustav Rejlander, Matthew Brady, Alexander Gardner, Etienne Carjat, or Gaspard Félix Tournachon Nadar. Students choose their own style and approach they deem appropriate to portray their partners in the color picture.
Students are encouraged to use the essay to help the viewer understand who their partners are, or the essay can even contradict the way their partners are portrayed in their photographs. Alternatively, the photographs and words can give their partners a constructed identity that might be different from their own perception.
*Students: when commenting on the b&w pictures, think about whether or not the evocation of a specific photographer's work is successful. Consider how much effort the photographer/model put into staging the shot (dress/costume, props, lighting, etc.) and what you think should have been done to make the picture better. Consider the composition, contrast, saturation, and image/text relationship when commenting on each photograph.
(Note: the texts and comments have not been redacted, edited, or corrected for typos or errors)
Michelle G.
In the relatively short amount of time I spent with Sherwin Alo I learned quite a few things about him. I do not want to reveal too much about him partly due to his own asking and partly due to the fact that if you spend any time with him at all you would learn these things yourself – which is what you should do. He’s a genuine, kind and interesting person you should try to get to know. He also indulged me in many strange requests in trying to capture his essence. So, until you are able to meet him, I hope this description and these images will suffice.
Balance is a delicate tension. In meeting with Sherwin I found him walking that fine line. On one hand he’s very serious and thoughtful. He shows a warmth and tenderness that is very insightful. On the other hand he is the extreme looking for the next adventure. He has come from the busy city life of L.A. and found respite in Merced. He continually seeks out the quiet nature that surrounds us and yet is always looking to the mountains for a snowboarding escapade. He still has family he visits down south but has found a home here in the central valley. His journey through education has been another seeking encounter where he finds focus and tries to minimize distractions. He seeks out balance in his life and has found that delicate tension all around him. His continual seeking of opportunities is reflected in these two portraits of Sherwin.
In the relatively short amount of time I spent with Sherwin Alo I learned quite a few things about him. I do not want to reveal too much about him partly due to his own asking and partly due to the fact that if you spend any time with him at all you would learn these things yourself – which is what you should do. He’s a genuine, kind and interesting person you should try to get to know. He also indulged me in many strange requests in trying to capture his essence. So, until you are able to meet him, I hope this description and these images will suffice.
Balance is a delicate tension. In meeting with Sherwin I found him walking that fine line. On one hand he’s very serious and thoughtful. He shows a warmth and tenderness that is very insightful. On the other hand he is the extreme looking for the next adventure. He has come from the busy city life of L.A. and found respite in Merced. He continually seeks out the quiet nature that surrounds us and yet is always looking to the mountains for a snowboarding escapade. He still has family he visits down south but has found a home here in the central valley. His journey through education has been another seeking encounter where he finds focus and tries to minimize distractions. He seeks out balance in his life and has found that delicate tension all around him. His continual seeking of opportunities is reflected in these two portraits of Sherwin.
Michelle G.
In the relatively short amount of time I spent with Sherwin Alo I learned quite a few things about him. I do not want to reveal too much about him partly due to his own asking and partly due to the fact that if you spend any time with him at all you would learn these things yourself – which is what you should do. He’s a genuine, kind and interesting person you should try to get to know. He also indulged me in many strange requests in trying to capture his essence. So, until you are able to meet him, I hope this description and these images will suffice.
Balance is a delicate tension. In meeting with Sherwin I found him walking that fine line. On one hand he’s very serious and thoughtful. He shows a warmth and tenderness that is very insightful. On the other hand he is the extreme looking for the next adventure. He has come from the busy city life of L.A. and found respite in Merced. He continually seeks out the quiet nature that surrounds us and yet is always looking to the mountains for a snowboarding escapade. He still has family he visits down south but has found a home here in the central valley. His journey through education has been another seeking encounter where he finds focus and tries to minimize distractions. He seeks out balance in his life and has found that delicate tension all around him. His continual seeking of opportunities is reflected in these two portraits of Sherwin.
In the relatively short amount of time I spent with Sherwin Alo I learned quite a few things about him. I do not want to reveal too much about him partly due to his own asking and partly due to the fact that if you spend any time with him at all you would learn these things yourself – which is what you should do. He’s a genuine, kind and interesting person you should try to get to know. He also indulged me in many strange requests in trying to capture his essence. So, until you are able to meet him, I hope this description and these images will suffice.
Balance is a delicate tension. In meeting with Sherwin I found him walking that fine line. On one hand he’s very serious and thoughtful. He shows a warmth and tenderness that is very insightful. On the other hand he is the extreme looking for the next adventure. He has come from the busy city life of L.A. and found respite in Merced. He continually seeks out the quiet nature that surrounds us and yet is always looking to the mountains for a snowboarding escapade. He still has family he visits down south but has found a home here in the central valley. His journey through education has been another seeking encounter where he finds focus and tries to minimize distractions. He seeks out balance in his life and has found that delicate tension all around him. His continual seeking of opportunities is reflected in these two portraits of Sherwin.
