Documentary Photography 2
| Code | Completion | Credits | Range | Language Instruction | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 307EDO2 | ZK | 2 | 13/S | English | summer |
- Subject guarantor:
- Viktor KOLÁŘ
- Name of lecturer(s):
- Viktor KOLÁŘ
- Learning outcomes of the course unit:
-
Our first goal is to define the difference between „reportage“ and „documentary“ photography, How to go about „discovering your “personal theme„ and consequently keep working on it. “The personal theme„ in the spiral of time. Visual language of “reportage„ and “documentary" photography,
- Mode of study:
-
Grading:
The students assignments /does not apply to exhibition series/ will be evaluated by supervising teacher /V.K./, also the attendance of seminar /hours of attendance set by the Department/, individual engagement will contribute as well to final grading.
List of Assignments - 1st year
Theme: 1/ „Unique event“
Motto: „Something what shall not happen again...“
The unique event could be anything from a real event that takes place ?indoors? or ?outdoors? /social, cultural, sports, private event/ to whatever is considered by you as unique, simply worth of recording . The quality which matters is from what angle you approach the subject matter and what you want to emphasize. Not only the subject matter is important even more is your point of view.
The creative process is following:
1/ consulting the subject with your teacher;
2/ submitting the contact sheets, later proof prints for editing;
3/ selection of 10 photos, enlarge them up to 18x24cm or 24x30cm;
4/ deadline - December 2007
Theme: 2/ „Reportage portrait“
To depict someone : a friend, your landlord, brief encounter in his / her environment. One photo should be a real close-up of the person. Any approach is welcome when your photos are introducing the subject with competence.
The creative process is following:
1/ consulting the subject with your teacher;
2/ submitting the contact sheets, later proof prints for editing;
3/ selection of 5 photos, enlarge them up to 18x24cm or 24x30cm;
4/deadline December 2007
Theme: 3/ „Thematic reportage“ /Photo-story
This is the main assignment for „reportage“ and „documentary“ seminar in the 1st year. Usually the first step is to sit down and write an outline of the possible project onto the paper. Most challenging job may seem to be looking for theme that is close to your heart, your inclinations because you work on it over a period of time. This work is mainly concerned with your ability to tell visually the story. By shooting from different distance /close-ups, medium distance + general views/ and perspective, you will create dynamic, fresh and personal visual account.
The creative process is following:
1/ consulting the subject with your teacher;
2/ writing an outline on A4;
3/ systematically consulting with your teacher;
4/ submitting the contact sheets and proof prints for editing;
5/ select and enlarge 15-30 photos, 30x40cm or 50x60cm;
6/ deadline - June 2008
„A student directed portfolio“ - (exhibition series) / main work - individual supervision/
A set of 8 - 12 well printed or mounted photographs in paspartoos which represent the skill of our student acquired while studying at FAMU. These photographs are meant as final exhibition series for the commission at the end of the school year. Such work is continuously consulted with and supervised by the teacher who was chosen deliberately by the student.
The creative process is following:
1/ consultation with chosen teacher;
2/ evaluation of contact sheets, proof prints, editing the material;
3/ selection and printing of 8-12 prints up to size 30x40cm or 50x60cm;
4/ deadline - June 2008.
- Prerequisites and co-requisites:
-
None
- Recommended optional programme components:
- Course contents:
-
What is reportage photography today and how does it differ from documentary photography? Personal psychology as part of our agenda. My point of view and the „media“. What is integrity, personal and artistic? Visual language, human types and body language. Copyright and protecting it against electronic manipulation.
Course Outline:
Our first goal is to define the difference between „reportage“ and „documentary“ photography, enclose the latent rules existing in the world of humans and thus master step by step photographing in both „public“ and „private“ places.
To learn what is the difference between „documenting“ apart from „interpreting“ the world around us with one´s camera. To master the working process with „contact sheets“, proof prints and finally to edit one´s own work. That will strengthen your independence when working on assignments given by newspapers, magazines, and other institutions.
Get used to accepting criticism from the outside - one of the guarantees of personal growth. Also to evaluate work done by other photographers.
How to go about discovering your „personal theme“ and consequently keep working on it. „The personal theme“ in the spiral of time. Visual language of „reportage“ and „documentary“ photography, visual literacy and also to learn about who is our „audience“. Also important is to gain knowledge about „human types“, „body language“ in regard to producing strong and personal images.
To understand role of a success, recognition of our work in regard to our life in photography in a long run. Morality and spirituality as good companions in our persuasion of photography. Authorship and its protection from electronic manipulation.
Vital part of our seminars will be dedicated to evaluating photographs.
List of Assignments - 1st year
Theme: 1/ „Unique event“
Motto: „Something what shall not happen again...“
The unique event could be anything from a real event that takes place ?indoors? or ?outdoors? /social, cultural, sports, private event/ to whatever is considered by you as unique, simply worth of recording . The quality which matters is from what angle you approach the subject matter and what you want to emphasize. Not only the subject matter is important even more is your point of view.
The creative process is following:
1/ consulting the subject with your teacher;
2/ submitting the contact sheets, later proof prints for editing;
3/ selection of 10 photos, enlarge them up to 18x24cm or 24x30cm;
4/ deadline - December 2007
Theme: 2/ „Reportage portrait“
To depict someone : a friend, your landlord, brief encounter in his / her environment. One photo should be a real close-up of the person. Any approach is welcome when your photos are introducing the subject with competence.
The creative process is following:
1/ consulting the subject with your teacher;
2/ submitting the contact sheets, later proof prints for editing;
3/ selection of 5 photos, enlarge them up to 18x24cm or 24x30cm;
4/deadline December 2007
Theme: 3/ „Thematic reportage“ /Photo-story
This is the main assignment for „reportage“ and „documentary“ seminar in the 1st year. Usually the first step is to sit down and write an outline of the possible project onto the paper. Most challenging job may seem to be looking for theme that is close to your heart, your inclinations because you work on it over a period of time. This work is mainly concerned with your ability to tell visually the story. By shooting from different distance /close-ups, medium distance + general views/ and perspective, you will create dynamic, fresh and personal visual account.
The creative process is following:
1/ consulting the subject with your teacher;
2/ writing an outline on A4;
3/ systematically consulting with your teacher;
4/ submitting the contact sheets and proof prints for editing;
5/ select and enlarge 15-30 photos, 30x40cm or 50x60cm;
6/ deadline - June 2008
„A student directed portfolio“ - (exhibition series) / main work - individual supervision/
A set of 8 - 12 well printed or mounted photographs in paspartoos which represent the skill of our student acquired while studying at FAMU. These photographs are meant as final exhibition series for the commission at the end of the school year. Such work is continuously consulted with and supervised by the teacher who was chosen deliberately by the student.
The creative process is following:
1/ consultation with chosen teacher;
2/ evaluation of contact sheets, proof prints, editing the material;
3/ selection and printing of 8-12 prints up to size 30x40cm or 50x60cm;
4/ deadline - June 2008.
Name of the lecturer: Viktor Kolář
Contact: viktor.kolar@cbox.cz, phone: 596 126 536
Consultations: Tuesday: 11:30 - 16:30
- Recommended or required reading:
-
Viktor Kolář: „Seminar in documentary Photography“, AMU-FAMU 2000.
The other books necessary for you will get know during our seminars.
- Planned learning activities and teaching methods:
- Assessment methods and criteria:
-
Grading:
The students assignments /does not apply to exhibition series/ will be evaluated by supervising teacher /V.K./, also the attendance of seminar /hours of attendance set by the Department/, individual engagement will contribute as well to final grading.
List of Assignments - 1st year
Theme: 1/ „Unique event“
Motto: „Something what shall not happen again...“
The unique event could be anything from a real event that takes place ?indoors? or ?outdoors? /social, cultural, sports, private event/ to whatever is considered by you as unique, simply worth of recording . The quality which matters is from what angle you approach the subject matter and what you want to emphasize. Not only the subject matter is important even more is your point of view.
The creative process is following:
1/ consulting the subject with your teacher;
2/ submitting the contact sheets, later proof prints for editing;
3/ selection of 10 photos, enlarge them up to 18x24cm or 24x30cm;
4/ deadline - December 2007
Theme: 2/ „Reportage portrait“
To depict someone : a friend, your landlord, brief encounter in his / her environment. One photo should be a real close-up of the person. Any approach is welcome when your photos are introducing the subject with competence.
The creative process is following:
1/ consulting the subject with your teacher;
2/ submitting the contact sheets, later proof prints for editing;
3/ selection of 5 photos, enlarge them up to 18x24cm or 24x30cm;
4/deadline December 2007
Theme: 3/ „Thematic reportage“ /Photo-story
This is the main assignment for „reportage“ and „documentary“ seminar in the 1st year. Usually the first step is to sit down and write an outline of the possible project onto the paper. Most challenging job may seem to be looking for theme that is close to your heart, your inclinations because you work on it over a period of time. This work is mainly concerned with your ability to tell visually the story. By shooting from different distance /close-ups, medium distance + general views/ and perspective, you will create dynamic, fresh and personal visual account.
The creative process is following:
1/ consulting the subject with your teacher;
2/ writing an outline on A4;
3/ systematically consulting with your teacher;
4/ submitting the contact sheets and proof prints for editing;
5/ select and enlarge 15-30 photos, 30x40cm or 50x60cm;
6/ deadline - June 2008
„A student directed portfolio“ - (exhibition series) / main work - individual supervision/
A set of 8 - 12 well printed or mounted photographs in paspartoos which represent the skill of our student acquired while studying at FAMU. These photographs are meant as final exhibition series for the commission at the end of the school year. Such work is continuously consulted with and supervised by the teacher who was chosen deliberately by the student.
The creative process is following:
1/ consultation with chosen teacher;
2/ evaluation of contact sheets, proof prints, editing the material;
3/ selection and printing of 8-12 prints up to size 30x40cm or 50x60cm;
4/ deadline - June 2008.
- Course web page:
- Note:
- Schedule for winter semester 2012/2013:
- The schedule has not yet been prepared
- Schedule for summer semester 2012/2013:
- The subject is a part of the following study plans:
-
- Fotografie EN - bakalář (qualification subject)