Performance Photography: Finding Your Point of View

Every photograph is taken from somewhere, physically and emotionally: a particular spot in the room, a particular body, a particular set of tastes and memories. In this course, students investigate what constitutes performance, identify their interests and perspectives, and photograph live performances, which, as time allows, can include: dance, theater, music, mime, drag, and cabaret.

Over five Friday evenings at Hunter College, students will:

• Articulate a vision for how they will document a performed act
• Create work to understand how they deal with moments of high-pressure in performance photography
• Think about who the performance photograph belongs to, how your position changes, what a moment means, and what we owe the people we photograph.

Discussions and assignments with the instructor help each student describe what draws them to performance, whether that's a gesture, a held stillness, a crowd's reaction, or the whole stage.

Students will practice shooting in low, colored, and changing stage light, controlling exposure and shutter speed to freeze or blur motion, and anticipating key moments by reading music, breath, and rhythm. They'll also learn to plan with performers and organizers, work with consent and care, and edit and sequence their images into a cohesive set.

The course ends with a short-written statement of each student's photographic voice and a portfolio of 8 to 10 images.

Course Level / Prerequisite: Intermediate: You are familiar with a camera, whether film or digital. You understand aperture, shutter speed, exposure, white balance, histograms, and how to control focus. You are comfortable editing and processing your images. You may want to learn how to utilize your camera in a more thoughtful and articulate way, or learn more about lighting or how to utilize theoretical concepts in relation to your portfolio of work.

Students are encouraged to review ICP's Classroom Disclaimer for current information regarding COVID-19 policies, classroom guidelines, and more. These policies are subject to change at anytime.

Courses are subject to minimum enrollment. Please register early, within five days of the start-date, to reduce the likelihood of course cancellation and to ensure you receive all course-related materials in time to prepare for class. Registration for this course will close one day prior to the start date of the course.

Fee Breakdown