Documentary & Social Consciousness

©John D. Russell

Since its inception photography has been used to educate people about our world and advocate for social change where injustice prevails. Currently, activism does not end with images; they start foundations, fund non-profits and even testify at the UN in order to find solutions for the issues the photographer’s document.

While not every photographer can travel the globe documenting injustice, this class is about finding ways to create change by photographing in an artful and empowering documentary way. At the same time, the class will demand each student learn and follow the ethics that go along with the profession of social documentary work. Over six-months, students will get the opportunity to connect with local NGOs that they feel especially connected to in the Los Angeles area through a placement program and on their own. John D. Russell will assist with establishing contact for those non-profits who may not be in the placement program. Possible issues may include global warming, homelessness, health, immigration, child labor, inequality, poverty, and how gentrification affects those being pushed out of their own communities.

John D. Russell (www.johndrussell.com) is a professional photographer and educator based in Manhattan Beach, CA. He has traveled to over 30 countries on assignment and is internationally published. He has worked with some of the biggest companies and celebrities on the planet and is highly sought after for his style of photography which can be described as intuitive, artistic, and impactful. John donates a considerable amount of time to a handful of non-profits in the Greater Los Angeles area and around the globe.

Six Months (Six Sessions) Date: Tuesdays, February 15; March 15; April 12; May 10; June 7; July 12; 9 am-12 pm PST Enrollment limit: 15 students Skill/Experience level: Open to all levels Tuition: $415 Location: Online

©Marissa Roth

This course delves into the rigors of undertaking a photo documentary project. Documentary photography requires knowledge of various photographic styles and techniques; photographing people, landscapes, and objects; using daylight and artificial lighting (both indoors and out); and image editing and sequencing. In addition to artistic and technical concerns, it is also necessary to be rigorous and aware of the various ethical, social and psychological issues that must be taken into account when photographing in the field. Topics will include: How to shoot in a documentary style and choosing a subject; Challenges and questions regarding working on a personal documentary project; Editing and sequencing. The first class will include a lecture on documentary photography and how to shoot in a documentary style, featuring the work of Walker Evans, Vivien Maier and Martin Parr. Each student will present the topic for their class project. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Marissa Roth (www.marissa rothphotography.com) is a photojournalist, fine art and documentary photographer. Her editorial photo assignments for prestigious publications including The New York Times, have taken her around the world. She was part of the Los Angeles Times staff that won a Pulitzer Prize for Best Spot News, for its coverage of the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Roth’s global documentary project, One Person Crying: Women and War, which spans 35-years of her photography and addresses how women have been directly impacted by war and conflict is a travelling exhibition, with a forthcoming book. Her published books include, Infinite Light: A Photographic Meditation on Tibet, with a foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Six Sessions Date: Thursdays, March 24-April 28, 9 am-12 pm PST Enrollment limit: 15 students Skill/Experience level: Students should have a working knowledge of their camera. Tuition: $415 Location: Online