Learning objectives

To gain a solid understanding of the contemporary photography scene and provide tools for interpreting, understanding, and creating images. The course activities include: 

• presentation of theoretical content by the instructor
• group discussion
• the creation of photographic works

Contents

By analyzing the work of the most representative artists in the contemporary photography scene, we will explore the evolution of storytelling through images. In particular, we will focus on the developments in research photography, storytelling, and the influence of social media on how we perceive and distort reality. The course aims to equip students with new tools for reading and interpreting, which will help them understand contemporary photography and develop their own ideas and skills in terms of design and storytelling.

Personal project

To deepen their theoretical understanding and develop practical skills, students will be asked to complete simple photography exercises and present them in class. Analyzing the students’ work will provide a valuable opportunity to encourage verbal communication through presenting, commenting on, and discussing their projects. As a final project, students are required to present a single photographic image, developed on a theme that will be assigned during the course.

Schedule

• Lesson 1 - March 6, 2018: Research photography: a tool for investigation and critique to understand the present.
• Lesson 2 - March 13, 2018: Self-portraiture and the representation of the self, from introspective photography to the birth of the selfie.
• Lesson 3 - March 19, 2018: Reportage photography and storytelling: accurate representation or distortion of reality?
  This lesson was held in collaboration with the Storytelling course taught by Professor Valentina Faloni.
• Lesson 4 - March 27, 2018: The power of social media, a contemporary tool for communication and visual expression.
• Lesson 5 - April 10, 2018: Designing a photographic project, from conceptualizing the subject to developing a visual narrative.
• Lesson 6 - April 17, 2018: Post-production in the digital age, the evolution of photographic language, and expanding the creative process.
• Lesson 7 - May 10, 2018: Presentation of the final course photography project.
  This lesson is held in collaboration with the Storytelling course taught by Valentina Faloni.

The sessions, led by photographer Anna Di Prospero, take place in the Political Science Room of the LUISS Library at Via di Santa Costanza 53 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, except for the final session on May 10, which will be held from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Notes

Participants are not required to have any technical knowledge of photography. Students are free to use both digital and analog cameras to create their projects.

Registration

Interested students who can commit to regular attendance at the sessions should register by February 28, 2018, by sending an email to attivitaculturali@luiss.it using their LUISS email address and providing a phone number.

The first 20 registrants will be admitted to the course, and additional applicants will be placed on the waiting list.