For the young, emerging artists in this group,
Project: Identity not only offered opportunity to explore a new creative medium, but a chance to gather safely in a group of their peers after a long period of isolation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The transition required adjustment and a re-learning of old social skills while at the same time learning new technical skills in photography. As the weeks went on, we saw students growing more comfortable and confident with the camera, as well as with each other.
Throughout the ten-week program, students explored:
+ Photography as a form of self-expression and communication, encouraging students to seek the subjects that inspired them to tell their own meaningful stories.
+ Lessons, including topics such as: camera functionality, composition, landscape, portraiture, long exposure night photography, digital photo editing using Photoshop, and more.
+Weekly critiques, learning how to both give and receive constructive criticism of their work.
Project: Identity culminated in a final exhibition of work at the Conservatory at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Each student presented three large-scale photographs to exhibit and had the opportunity to talk with patrons about their concepts and methods. The exhibition was a celebration of work and newfound friendships cultivated during their ten weeks together in the program. A digital version of this exhibition is available below.
