MediaFest Assignment: Document the Event
Through a Documentary Photographer’s Eye or a Commercial Event Photographer’s Eye
Overview:
Your task is to document MediaFest (Tuesday, March 25 – Thursday, March 28) through photography. Choose to approach this project as either a documentary photographer, focusing on storytelling and deeper narratives, or as a commercial event photographer, capturing the key moments and highlights of the event. Both approaches will allow you to apply your technical and creative skills while exploring the event’s diverse aspects: vendors, students, speakers, professors, classrooms, hallways, artwork, artists, and filmmakers.
Objectives:
1. Develop a photographic narrative that captures the essence of MediaFest.
2. Experiment with compositional techniques, such as light, shadow, line, color, and perspective.
3. Research the differences between documentary and event photography to guide your creative approach.
Understanding the Difference:
1. Documentary Photographer’s Eye
• Focus: Captures authentic, candid moments that tell a deeper story.
• Goal: Provide insight into the event’s atmosphere, participants’ emotions, or behind-the-scenes moments.
• Style: Often raw and unposed, with an emphasis on narrative and mood.
2. Commercial Event Photographer’s Eye
• Focus: Highlights the key moments, participants, and successes of the event.
• Goal: Deliver polished, professional images that showcase the event’s energy and organization.
• Style: Combines posed group shots, candid interactions, and visually striking compositions.
Research Component:
Before you begin photographing, explore the work of historic and contemporary documentary photographers for inspiration. Consider how their styles might influence your approach.
Documentary Photographers:
Historic Photographers
• Dorothea Lange (emotional human stories)
• Walker Evans (architectural and everyday life)
• Gordon Parks (social justice and cultural themes)
Contemporary Photographers
• Sebastião Salgado (global issues and the environment)
• Mary Ellen Mark (intimate, behind-the-scenes portraits)
• Alec Soth (quiet, reflective storytelling)
Event Photographers and Companies:
• Joe Buissink (emotional storytelling, celebrity events)
• Denis Reggie (photojournalistic weddings)
• Kevin Mazur (concerts, red carpets)
• Susan Stripling (creative wedding and corporate photography)
• John Harrington (corporate events and branding)
• Getty Images Events (high-profile global events)
• Candid Event Photography (trade shows and conferences)
• Shoot My Event (private parties and concerts)
• The Knot Wedding Photography Network (weddings and celebrations)
Questions to Guide Your Research:
• How do these photographers connect with their subjects?
• What compositional elements do they prioritize?
• How do they convey mood, energy, or a story in a single image or series?
Photographing MediaFest:
Consider the following as you document the event:
1. Subject Identification: Decide whether to focus on people, activities, or specific moments that represent the event.
2. Light and Shadow: Use available light creatively. How does it shape your subject or add drama to the scene?
3. Composition: Experiment with framing, lines, and perspective. Capture both wide shots and close-ups.
4. Color and Mood: Look for pops of color or atmospheric elements that convey the event’s energy.
5. Perspective: Challenge yourself to shoot from high and low angles or zoom in on interesting details.
6. Storytelling or Highlights:
• As a documentary photographer, build a narrative with your images.
• As an event photographer, ensure you capture important moments, from speakers to interactions between attendees.
SUBMIT:
1. Photo Series: Submit 6-10 images that align with your chosen approach (documentary or commercial).
2. Written Reflection:
• Explain your chosen approach and how the photographers you researched influenced your work.
• Describe your technical and creative decisions, such as lighting, composition, and perspective.
• Reflect on challenges and successes during the process.
3. Optional Multimedia Component: Include audio, video, or written excerpts from interviews, if applicable.
Grading Criteria:
1. Technical Execution: Focus, exposure, use of light, and composition.
2. Creative Approach: Originality, storytelling, and adherence to your chosen style.
3. Written Reflection: Depth of analysis, connection to research, and clarity of thought.
4. Engagement: Effort and participation in covering various aspects of MediaFest.
Let your creative vision guide you, whether you choose to observe with a documentary eye or capture the highlights with a commercial event perspective. Good luck!