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Course Syllabi
9-2014
JRNL 429.01: Documentary Photojournalism
G. Keith Graham
University of Montana - Missoula, [email protected]
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Recommended Citation
Graham, G. Keith, "JRNL 429.01: Documentary Photojournalism" (2014). Syllabi. Paper 1542.
http://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi/1542
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© Sebastiao Salgado
Journalism 4 2 9 ♦ D O C U M E N T A R Y P H O T O JO U R N A LIS M
Fall 2014 ♦ T/TH 2:21-3:30 p.m. ♦ classroom DAH 316
Keith Graham
O ffice : DAH 430
Phone: 243-2238
E-mail: k e ith .g ra h a m @ u m o n ta n a .e d u
9f
T h e role o f the p h o to g ra p h e r is to
in v o lv e d w ith y o u r s u b je c t."
*
Witness
and be
Cornell Capa, founder, F u n d for C o n cern ed P hotography
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND CLASS STRUCTURE
This is prim arily a w orksho p class in w h ich students will p ro d u c e d o c u m e n ta ry
p h o to g ra p h y projects. Through discussions a n d readings, w e will ta lk a b o u t
historical a n d c o n te m p o ra ry d o c u m e n ta ria n s a n d d is c o v e r th e ir passions a n d
discuss th e ir strategies. W e will study d o c u m e n ta ry p h o to g ra p h y as a social to o l
used to in ve stig a te c o n te m p o ra ry issues. The class will a llo w you to find supp ort
fo r y o u r w o rk a n d d is c o v e r y o u r ow n style. Exploration o f personal vision will be
stressed.
You will w o rk on y o u r ow n on a personal p ro je c t involving a social issue. This final
p ro je c t will b e in c o m p ile d as a boo k, w h ic h you will shoot, w rite a n d design o r as
a m u ltim e d ia p ro je c t, using v id e o a n d a u d io o r stills, a u d io a n d v id e o . W e will
discuss y o u r projects in re g u la r g ro u p critiques.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
•To
•To
•To
•To
•To
•To
•To
•To
learn to w o rk w ith a te a m o f p h o to g ra p h e rs
in tro d u c e an e th n ic diversity o f d o c u m e n ta ry p h o to g ra p h e rs
a d d a m a jo r p h o to g ra p h ic p ro je c t to y o u r p o rtfo lio
learn to in itia te ideas a n d b e c o m e "a n id e a person"
h elp establish a n d re co g n ize y o u r p h o to g ra p h ic style
in crea se y o u r visual e d u c a tio n
e x p a n d y o u r c ritic a l a n d c re a tiv e thinking
im p ro v e y o u r te c h n ic a l a n d so ftw a re skills
TEXT
Light, Ken, Witness In O ur Time: Working Lives o f D o c u m e n ta ry P hotographers,
s e co n d e d itio n , Sm ithsonian Books, 2010. A d d itio n a l readings will b e p ro v id e d .
SUGGESTED READINGS
For a d d itio n a l in fo rm a tio n , you m ay find th e fo llo w in g books a n d m agazines
helpful:
P h oto gra phers On P h o to g ra p h y , by N a th a n Lyons
D o c u m e n ta ry P h o to g ra p h y , by A rthur Rothstein
D o ing D o c u m e n ta ry Work, by Robert Coles
H o p e In Hard Times, by M ary M urphy
a n d A p e rtu re , PDN, Em erging P h o to g ra p h e r m agazines
DEADLINES
Assignm ents a n d u p d a te s must b e h a n d e d in a t th e b e g in n in g o f class on th e
d u e d a te . Late assignments will be assigned a zero. An assignm ent is co n sid e re d
la te if you d o not d ro p it in th e Professors server o n e hour b e fo re class.
ATTENDANCE
Regular a n d tim ely a t t e n d a n c e is c ru c ia l in this class. You will b e responsible for
m a te ria l c o v e re d in y o u r a b s e n c e , a n d y o u r assignm ents will still b e d u e a t their
s c h e d u le d times. Class p a rtic ip a tio n is an im p o rta n t p a rt o f this class, a n d
unexcused a b se nces will b e n o te d . I e x p e c t you to c o m e to class on tim e. If you
are late, I will m ark you abse nt.
Be sure to re a d th e assigned p a g e s a n d c o m e p re p a re d to discuss w h a t you
re a d .
If you know you are g o in g to miss class o r b e late, please let m e know in
a d v a n c e . An "excused a b s e n c e " g e n e ra lly involves personal o r fam ily illnesses or
e m e rg e n cie s. Routine m e d ic a l a p p o in tm e n ts , jo b ob lig a tio n s, c o m p u te r
problem s, missed buses a n d s c h e d u le d interview s are not va lid reasons for
missing class.
GRADING
Each p ro je c t will b e g iven tw o grades, o n e fo r c o n te n t a n d o n e fo r e x e c u tio n .
The c o n te n t g ra d e is fo r w h a t you h a v e to say, c re a tivity, g ra p h ic org a n iza tio n ,
a n d uniqueness o f vision. The e x e c u tio n g ra d e (w hich includes th e ca p tio n s,
w ritte n portion a n d d e s ig n /p ro d u c tio n ) is fo r h o w e ffe c tiv e ly you used y o u r
te c h n ic a l skills to say it.
Personal final d o c u m e n ta ry
Final p ro je c t Proposal
P h o to g ra p h e r re p o rt - O ct. 9
U pdates (10 e a c h )
A tte n d a n c e & p a rtic ip a tio n
Book o r URL
Prelim inary design
Photo contests (15 pts. e a c h )
TOTAL
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
93 to
90 to
88 to
83 to
80 to
78 to
73 to
70 to
68 to
63 to
60 to
0 to
100
20
20
40
60
10
20
30
300
points
points
points
points
points
points
points
points
points
100%
92%
89%
87%
82%
79%.
77%
72%
69%
67%
62%
59%
GRADUATE STUDENTS assignm ent
W rite d o w n y o u r thoughts, observations, feelings a n d questions after e a c h class.
This will b e an essay on w h a t you le a rn e d a b o u t d o c u m e n ta ry p h o to g ra p h y from
o u r discussions a n d presentations th ro u g h o u t th e sem ester. Assignm ent is w o rth
50 points.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
All w o rk tu rn e d in fo r this class (p h o to g ra p h ic o r w ritten) must b e y o u r ow n.
Failure to c o m p ly w ith this will result in an F in th e class. In a d d itio n , eve ryth in g
th a t you turn in fo r this class must b e shot fo r this class. In o th e r w ords, it is
e x p e c te d th a t you shoot n e w w o rk fo r this class. A ny a c t o f a c a d e m ic
dishonesty will result in referral to th e p ro p e r university authorities o r disciplinary
a c tio n .
Students must b e fa m ilia r w ith th e c o n d u c t c o d e . The c o d e is online a t
h ttp ://w w w .u m t.e d u /S A /v p s a /in d e x .c fm /p a g e /2 5 8 5 .
You m ay not subm it fo r this course a n y assignm ent th a t has previously, o r will b e
co n c u rre n tly , s u b m itte d fo r a n o th e r class, unless you re c e iv e prior a p p ro v a l from
th e professor fo r this course. To d o so w ith o u t permission will result in an F fo r the
assignm ent a n d c o u ld result in an F fo r th e course.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
If you h a v e a disability th a t you fe e l a ffe c ts y o u r p e rfo rm a n c e in this class,
p lease c o m e see m e a n d w e 'll seek a re a s o n a b le a c c o m m o d a tio n . Please see
w w w .u m t.e d u /d s s fo r details.
AFTER HOURS ACCESS
If you are not a professional p ro g ra m stu d e n t you must c o m p le te an a fte r-h o u r
access form th e first w e e k o f class. Must turn in by Fri. A u g . 29 o r you will not be
a b le to g a in entry to th e build ing a fte r hours all sem ester. To c o m p le te th e form
e n te r th e fo llo w in g URL:
h ttp ://w w w .io u r.u m t.e d u /c u rre n t-s tu d e n ts /fo rm s
J42.9 weekly schedule
O ur schedule m a y ch a n g e with notice. There m a y b e guest speakers.
We will review our progress in early O ctob e r. The quicker you g e t going, the m ore fun
y o u ’ll have with your p ro je c t - a n d the m ore satisfied y o u ’ll be.
ALL DEADLINES _ N O O N on d a y assig n m en t is d u e.
EXCEPTION: FINAL PROJECT is d u e a t 10 a m
WEEK 1
INTRODUCTION
Aug. 26
Review syllabus
W h at is docum entary photography?
Student projects
A u g . 28
Kari Rene Hall: Henry, an Unlikely H ero
Rania Matar: A Girl and H er Room
Discuss personal projects
DUE: Formal Proposal/ personal project
This is the polished version. W rite two to three pages. It should include
one thesis sentence. T h en in the body of the proposal explain your project.
Provide context. Does it tie to a larger story of regional, national, or
international interest? Answer the question, “W h y should the viewer care?”
T reat this like a proposal to an editor, and sell your idea. Give specifics
based on initial research and explain shooting ideas. Describe your access
at this point. N o turning back - this will be the project you m il pursue for
the semester.
Y o u ch a n g e y o u r s u b je c t a f t e r th is d a te a n d y o u lo s e o n e le t t e r
g ra d e .
Sign up for project discussions
C h e ck C ollege P h o to g ra p h e r o f the Y ear w ebsite
http://umnv.cpoi/ .org/index.php?s=Home
WEEK 2
YOUR PROJECT
Sept. 2
Individual project discussions with Keith
Sept. 4
C ontem porary video docum entaries
WEEK 3
VIDEO DOCUMENTARIES
Sept. 9
C ontem porary video docum entaries
Sept. 11
C ontem porary video docum entaries
WEEK 4
EARLY YEARS OF PHOTO DOCUMENTARY, STYLE/APPROACH, FSA
Sept. 16
W illiam H enry Jackson, Jacob Riis, Lewis H ine, Alfred Steigleitz & others
T h e e a rly years o f d o cu m e n ta ry w o rk in th e U n ite d States
R ead pages 2 4 -3 6
Developing Y our Style and A pproach
Henri-Cartier Bresson, M argaret Bourke-W hite,
Ken Light, Annie Leibovitz, Judy W algren, Fazal Sheikh
H o p e in H a rd T im e s handout
Sept. 18
FSA including M ontana: D o c u m e n tin g D e p re ssio n & R e co ve ry
R ead pages 15-23
R ead H o p e in H a rd T im e s (in tro d u c tio n )
WEEK 5
S e p t. 2 3
FIRST UPDATE, APARTHEID IN SOUTH AFRICA
DUE: First update/ personal project
N eed at least seven images or 3 minutes of video.
D rop update into the J429 folder. Be on time.
S e p t. 2 5
Peter Magubane: South Africa
Read pages 54-61
D E A D L IN E :
College Photographer o f the Tear contest: C P O T entry. M u s t enter at least
T W O images. Drop images into CP'of'folder
h tip ://ztmno.cpcnf.orgl ?s=Home
WEEK 6
CIVIL RIGHTS IN US, HISPANIC PHOTOGRAPHERS
SEPT 30
Matt H erron, et al: The Civil Rights M ovem ent
Read pages 62-71
O c t. 2
Joseph Rodriguez: East Los Angeles gangs, 1990s
Read pages 140-147
Graciela Iturbide: The Indigenous o f M exico
Read pages 117-123
M anuel Alvarez Bravo: Iturbide's m entor
WEEK 7
FRANK (SWISS), RICHARDS, SALGADO (BRAZILIAN)
Oct. 7
R obert Frank: The Americans
Eugene Richards: Americans W e et al
Read pages 90-98
Oct. 9
Sebastiao Salgado
Read pages 108-116 + http://m nv.nytim es.com /2011/06/09/magazine/aninteniew-mth-sebastiao-salgado.htmlPpagewanted=all& r=0 A N D
http://mnv.tuneoutsingapore.com/art/feature/sebastiao-salgado-inteniew-on-genesis
WEEK 8
PROJECT UPDATE, DESIGNING THE PROJECT
Oct. 14
DUE: Second u p d ate / personal project
Bring in at least 10 new images plus the first seven or new video or audio
D rop all images into the J429 folder
Oct. 16
D esig n in g the p ro je c t
DUE: Bring a documentary photography book o r em ail URL of
an online m ultim edia piece th a t e xhibits strong design and
sto ryte llin g w o rk .
Emails are due Oct. 16 at noon
Subject line on email: J429 U RL
WEEK 9
AMERICAN WOMEN, HEARST, BARBARA VAN CLEVE FROM MONTANA
Oct. 21
Discuss H earst contest
Mary Ellen Mark: A m e ric a n O dyssey
R ead pages 79-83
Lauren Greenfield: F ast F o rw a rd , G irl C u ltu re , F h in
Oct. 23
Barbara Van Cleve
H a rd F w is t: C o n te m p o ra ry W e ste rn R anch W o m e n ,
Im ages o f M o n ta n a , H o ld in g th e R e in s: A R id e F h ro u g h C o w g irl L ife ,
A ll F h is W a y fo r th e S h o rt R id e a n d o th e r books
DUE: Hearst Competition
Details to com
WEEK 10
PRELIMINARY DESIGN, VIDEO DOCUMENTARIES
O ct. 28
DUE: prelim inary design
Cover, title page, table of contents, preface, two spreads
or your intro to m ultim edia doc project (will discuss in detail in class)
O ct. 30
Part two of designs and intros
WEEK 11
THIRD UPDATE
N o v. 4
N O C LA S S - E le c tio n D a y
N o v. 6
DUE: Third Update/ personal project
D rop at least 25 images (include the five from first update, fO from second
update and at least 10 new or show at least 4 m inutes of multimedia,
including at least two minutes of new multimedia)
WEEK 12
WAR & CONFLICT COVERAGE, AFTERMATH PROJECT, AFRICAN AMERICANS
N o v. 11
NO CLA SS_ V ETER AN S DAY
N o v. 13
W a r & Conflict D ocum entary
Read: handout (Rothstein), pp. 87-102
Robert Capa, Larry Burrows
D on McCullin: Sleeping with Ghosts
Jam es Nachtwey: Inferno
Susan Meiselas
Read pages 99-107
D onna Ferrato: Living W ith the Enem y
Read pages 132-139
Fazal Sheikh: Portrait o f a Refugee
Read pages 153-159
A ntonin Kratochvil: The Fall o f the Iron Curtain
Read pages 124-131
WEEK 13
AFRICAN AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHERS & GRANTS
N o v. 18
G ordon Parks \ H a lf P ast A u tu m n
Eli Reed: B la c k in A m e ric a
N o v. 20
Grants & book publishers & print exhibitions & galleries.
Sign up for Fourth U pdate meetings with Keith
WEEK 14
INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS (UPDATE 4 )
N o v. 25
DUE: Fourth Update/ personal project Each student will m eet with Keith to
discuss projects while everyone works on the design of his or h er projects.
M E E T IN G S O N TU ESD A Y O N LY....if you leave early will be assigned a
ZERO for this assignment.
N o v. 27
H A PPY T H A N K S G IV IN G no class
WEEK 15
EVALUATIONS & FINAL PROJECT
D ec. 4
W ritten class evaluations & com m ents/feedback on class
Grants & book publishers & print exhibitions & galleries, part 2
D ec. 6
DUE: Personal Project
NOTE: projects are due at 10 a.m.
Submit Quark or InDesign document & PDF of your book design or your
multimedia piece in QuickTime Movie by that tim e.
For book, Follow directions for collect for output or Package.
Note: W e w ill discuss tim e & p la c e o f la s t class m eeting.