Florence University of the Arts
DIVA
IDEAS
School of Digital Imaging and Visual Arts
School of Interior Design, Environmental Architecture, and Sustainability
SILVER LINING
film photography is still alive
MAR 15 | APR 11 CORRIDOIO FIORENTINO DIVA Corso Tintori, 21 Firenze Opening at 6:00 pm
Class Exhibiting Intermediate Film Photography Instructor Marco Gualtieri The birth of digital photography in the 1970s marked a revolution that threatened to leave analogue picturemakers in the grainy dust. But despite lightning advances in technology, there has been a small and quiet resistance among amateurs and professionals. Working with film requires a disciplined, considered approach and a lot of patience. In the age of instant gratification, waiting for results for longer than a split second can seem impractical, but slowing down the process can produce surprising results. A silver lining is a metaphor for optimism in the common English language which means every negative occurrence has a positive aspect to it. Despite the difficulties of persisting with analogue photography today, traditional photographers continue to transform the silver crystals on negative film into positive prints. The students of the Spring 2018 intermediate level class in Film Photography have taken a journey through the traditional methods of picture-making, working with analogue cameras to expose both 35mm and medium format film. A selection of the students' work, consisting of original prints made in the darkroom, will be exhibited in the Corridoio Fiorentino starting on March 15th, 2018.
La nascita della fotografia digitale negli anni '70 segnò una rivoluzione che minacciò di lasciare senza lavoro e presto dimenticati i fotografi analogici. Eppure, nonostante i fulminei progressi della tecnologia, c'è stata una piccola ma costante resistenza da parte dei dilettanti e professionisti di questo settore. Lavorare con il film richiede un approccio disciplinato e ponderato, oltre a tanta pazienza. Nell'età della gratificazione immediata, attendere i risultati di uno scatto per più di una frazione di secondo può sembrare poco pratico, ma rallentare il processo a volte può produrre risultati sorprendenti. Silver Lining è una metafora dell'ottimismo in inglese, significa che ogni evento negativo ha un aspetto positivo. Nonostante le tante difficoltà nel portare avanti la fotografia analogica oggi, i fotografi tradizionali continuano a trasformare in argento, quindi in positivo, il negativo. Gli studenti FUA che espongono hanno intrapreso, durante il corso, un “viaggio” attraverso i metodi tradizionali di composizione delle immagini, lavorando con fotocamere analogiche per film, sia in 35mm che in medio formato..
Florence University of the Arts SPRING 2018
DIVA SCHOOL OF DIGITAL IMAGING AND VISUAL ARTS
Gregg Casazza
"Identity Crisis" The goal of this series is to look into the concept of identity, and more specifically identity in conflict with itself. This is, of course, a very broad and vague concept, but that is exactly why I find it so interesting. When someone is asked about how they identify themselves, they are instantly able to rattle off a list of ideas that they think describe them, but these ideas typically fail to truly capture the essence of someone, and are often at odds with some other aspect of themselves. It is this dissociation which I tried to capture in this series, focusing heavily on elements of duality and juxtaposition through photography and portraiture. Duality is seen through shadows and double exposures, offering multiple looks at the same subject, and juxtaposition is seen through photos where traditional identities are inverted. I feel that by using a camera, photography, and more importantly portraiture, can give you a more intimate and raw look at someone’s identity, and this is especially true in candid photos. I tried to allow my models to do whatever they wanted during my shoots, and found that the photos came off more authentic, showing a better glimpse at their identity, when they were less posed or less prepared for the photo . Furthermore, this series is concerned with the idea of “identity crisis.” An identity crisis is a period of uncertainty and confusion in which a person's sense of identity becomes insecure, typically due to a change of some sort. In this series I used various elements to capture this effect. I played with ideas of gender identity, reflections, double exposures, shadows, obstructions and many other things which I feel highlight the clash of identities that someone could experience. Through these various approaches, the photos of my models took on multiple meanings, some showing their own identity, and some showing their prescribed identity. Although identity as a concept might seem very vague, it is actually quite complex, and offers a lot of introspective thought as both a viewer and as a photographer.
Bio
Gregg Casazza is from Salem, New Hampshire, and goes to Lasell College in Newton Massachusetts class of 2018. He is studying Communications, Journalism, and Creative Writing. He has been taking photos for a few years now, but shooting on film is the medium he enjoys most.
FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SPRING 2018
DIVA SCHOOL OF DIGITAL IMAGING AND VISUAL ARTS
Gregg Casazza
FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SPRING 2018
DIVA SCHOOL OF DIGITAL IMAGING AND VISUAL ARTS
Gregg Casazza
FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SPRING 2018
DIVA SCHOOL OF DIGITAL IMAGING AND VISUAL ARTS
Jenna Johnson
“Florence Unobserved” Walking through the streets of Florence transports you to an entirely different world; cobblestone roads, opulence and simplicity perfectly coexisting, Renaissance architecture and art everywhere you look. I wanted to emulate the experience of walking through Florence, as well as capture and highlight the Italian people and sights of a typical day. I did my best to blend in and portray everything in its natural element. My focus is geared towards being in the moment and appreciating the beauty in the less obvious aspects. Using 35mm film creates an aesthetic that is true to the ambiance of Florence; both are appreciated for their antiqueness and authenticity. “To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place… I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” - Elliott Erwitt.
Bio
My name is Jenna LeAnn Johnson, and I am 19 years old. I’m from Grand Rapids, Michigan and I attend Grand Rapids Community College. My parents are both teachers, and I have a 12 year-old brother named Logan. I had never left the country before coming to Italy, and I’ve been here since August living the dream. I took film for one year in high school, and half a semester this past fall. I love the finished product of film photographs; I don’t think people truly understand the extent of the entire process until they actually experience it themselves. I love that each picture is unique, and offers an effortless aesthetic. My favorite subject to shoot is my bunny, Burrito; he’s a natural born model. I also enjoy photographing classic cars, motorcycles, architectural details, city landscapes and things of similar nature.
FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SPRING 2018
DIVA SCHOOL OF DIGITAL IMAGING AND VISUAL ARTS
Jenna Johnson
FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SPRING 2018
DIVA SCHOOL OF DIGITAL IMAGING AND VISUAL ARTS
Jenna Johnson
FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SPRING 2018
DIVA SCHOOL OF DIGITAL IMAGING AND VISUAL ARTS
Jenna Johnson
DIVA SCHOOL OF DIGITAL IMAGING AND VISUAL ARTS
Lara Kraany
“People of Florence" These photos were meant to become a series of portraits that portray who the people are of Florence, from my point of view. I walked around the city approaching complete strangers in hopes that they would agree and allow me to take photos of them. For the most part, people were cooperative. Of course, I had a couple a people who did not want to be photographed, which is understandable as I would do the same thing, because it’s a strange thing that I’m doing. The amount of acceptance and willingness was actually to my surprise, I didn’t expect to photograph as many people as I did. Don’t get me wrong, it was very difficult to get these photos. I spent countless hours roaming the streets, staring at people and trying to pick out my next model. I have learned a lot about myself being in Florence. During my orientation, my program advisors mentioned that Florence is full of older people which I noticed and admired. This is such a timely, well preserved city and I wanted to portray that in my series. But at the same time I was able to keep the series diverse. I photographed older women and men all from different backgrounds, some being well off, happy, and just going about their normal business, walking their dogs or going out to eat. And others who aren't as privileged or as lucky, who don’t have a place to call home and are doing anything to make some money to feed themselves. My goal is to make my series dramatic and personal, and to allow or even force viewers to see these people as real human beings, not just as strangers. I hope they’re able to see a story behind these unfamiliar faces, whether they are true or not.
Bio
My name is Lara Kraany, I am from Massachusetts, I go to school at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (UMass Dartmouth). I am a junior photography major. I have always loved photography but when I started college I realized how much I can do with it. I’ve taken a few photography and digital classes to learn editing software. Film photography has been one of the best experiences for me, all I do is talk to my friends about my film photography assignments and how excited I am to get started and print photos. It’s a very stressful process but I enjoy every moment of it. I couldn’t be more excited about what the future holds with my photography.
FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SPRING 2018
DIVA SCHOOL OF DIGITAL IMAGING AND VISUAL ARTS
Lara Kraany
FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SPRING 2018
DIVA SCHOOL OF DIGITAL IMAGING AND VISUAL ARTS
Lara Kraany
FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SPRING 2018
DIVA SCHOOL OF DIGITAL IMAGING AND VISUAL ARTS
Lara Kraany
FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SPRING 2018
DIVA SCHOOL OF DIGITAL IMAGING AND VISUAL ARTS
Lauren Reheuser
“Doppia Cifra (Double Digit)" Doppia Cifra, which translates to “Double Digit” in Italian, came about as a result of my exploration with double exposures. Double exposures have intrigued me for as long as I can remember- the way that an artist is able to seamlessly combine two very different realities into one cohesive image is both strange and beautiful. With this technique, I am able to link together two separate moments in time. Double exposures can be created through two different processes. The first process is done in-camera. After taking one image, the photographer simply does not advance the film before taking the second image. While this is fairly simple, it can be a frustrating method, as the photographer has no way of knowing what the image will look like until the film is processed. It can be very difficult to know if the finished photograph will work compositionally, or even if it is exposed properly. The second process is done in the dark room after developing the film. For this method, the photographer chooses two different pieces of film and prints them by physically laying them on top of one another. This process is much more predictable, as the photographer has complete control over the composition, and can see what the final image will look like before printing. It is very easy to change, and the individual images can be swapped out if something is not working. With this project I explored both processes. Using a medium format camera, I discovered the spontaneity of the in-camera method. While shooting like this is very unpredictable, I often found myself pleasantly surprised. The compositions created through this method are much more interesting than those I would create by experimenting on my own. The medium format camera pushed me to expand past my preconceptions of what is compositionally and technically sound. I used a 35mm camera to take photographs used for double exposures in the dark room. With this technique, I tested my ability to pair different compositions and textures together in the dark room. This process was both comforting and exciting, as I was able to guarantee that I would like the final composition while choosing which two realities I wanted to link to one another. Through these processes, these photographs show my journey as I try to connect different moments in time to one another, in an attempt to make better sense of the overwhelming amount of images we are exposed to each day Bio My name is Lauren Reheuser, and I am originally from Haymarket, Virginia. I am a junior at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, where I am an Art and Art History major and a Psychology minor. I am a marketing intern for William and Mary’s athletic department, volunteer as an Orientation Aide, and am involved as a member in Kappa Delta. I started taking classes in photography in high school, where I became particularly interested in digital photography and graphic design.
FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SPRING 2018
DIVA SCHOOL OF DIGITAL IMAGING AND VISUAL ARTS
Lara Kraany
FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SPRING 2018
DIVA SCHOOL OF DIGITAL IMAGING AND VISUAL ARTS
Lara Kraany
FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SPRING 2018
DIVA SCHOOL OF DIGITAL IMAGING AND VISUAL ARTS
Lara Kraany
Acknowledgements Ringraziamenti
SILVER LINING
film photography is still alive
MAR 15 | APR 11 CORRIDOIO FIORENTINO DIVA Corso Tintori, 21 Firenze
Gregg Casazza Jenna Johnson Lara Kraany Lauren Reheuser Intermediate Film Photography
Donald Blair Yu-Chuan Cheng Ting-An Li Erika Pistor Margarita Poroshina Isabelle Seroussi Gina Valentino Intermediate Digital Photography Experiential Learning
Marco Gualtieri Professor Intermediate Film Photography
David Andre Weiss Professor Intermediate Digital Photography Experiential Learning
Giulio Vinci Professor IDEAS Chair
Livia Sturlese Tosi FUA Press Office
Printed on March, 2018 by Florence Univesity of the Arts
Florence University of the Arts SPRING 2018
CORRIDOIO FIORENTINO
FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS