A shot in the dark.

A shot in the dark. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After a wonderful field trip to New York City New York City:see New York, city. New York CityCity (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. and a visit to theWhitney Museum of American Art Whitney Museum of American Art,in New York City, founded in 1930 by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. It was an outgrowth of the Whitney Studio (1914–18), the Whitney Studio Club (1918–28), and the Whitney Studio Galleries (1928–30). , my photo students were still talkingabout Kenneth Josephson's ghostly images in Street Corner, Chicago,April 1960 and Eadweard Muybridge's plates on Human and AnimalLocomotion In biomechanics, animal locomotion is the study of how animals move. Not all animals move, but locomotive ability is widespread throughout the animal kingdom. As all animals are heterotrophs, they must obtain food from their environment. . These inspiring artists, in combination with the studentsdesire to "know how," initiated the idea for this photoproject in my Black and White Photography I class. In class, while looking at reproductions of Josephson's andMuybridge's work, the students discussed possible meanings,interpretations and intentions of each artist. They also gatheredinformation about the techniques of multiple image-making. They hadalready practiced the technique of reciprocity: making shutter speed In a still camera, the length of time that the shutter is open, exposing the film (analog) or CCD or CMOS sensor (digital) to light for a single image. In a camcorder, the shutter speed is the frame speed; for example, 24, 30 or 60 frames per second (fps). See exposure and shutter lag. ,f-stop, light and film speed agree. And they had the experience ofmaking a multiple print using stencils and more than one negative.Building on these skills, the students were ready to explore thepossibilities of the "bulb" setting on their SLR (1) (Scalable Linear Recording) A line of magnetic tape drives from Tandberg Data that evolved from the QIC Data Cartridge format. See QIC.(2) (Single Lens Reflex) A camera that uses the same lens for viewing and shooting. 35mm camerasto create more than one image per negative frame. We set up a demonstration area. The students began theirexploration of multiple image-making by familiarizing fa��mil��iar��ize?tr.v. fa��mil��iar��ized, fa��mil��iar��iz��ing, fa��mil��iar��iz��es1. To make known, recognized, or familiar.2. To make acquainted with. themselves withthe equipment they might need. Some of the possible choices of equipmentwere: a tripod, a shutter-release cable, a flashlight or handheld flash,a camera, film and a subject, of course? The students recognized a key element of the project was that thecamera remains stationary and the subject would move. I encouragedstudents to experiment. We discussed bracketing, and I suggestedshooting multiple images during the day. Other options includedutilizing an object or portrait situation in a darkroom darkroom,n a completely lightproof room or cubicle that is used in the processing of photographic, medical, and dental films. See also safe light. with the use ofartificial light to flash the subject. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Through this experience the students acquired expanded knowledge ofpicture-taking. They explored other possible ways to use light and moreways to use the toolbox of settings on their cameras. They also notedthe importance of composition, design and estimating exposure time. The exposure time for the overall lighting situation had to bedetermined, then divided by the number exposures they wanted on oneframe. This technique prevented many overexposures and un derexposures.While expanding their knowledge, they also appreciated the combinationof technical skills in setting up a still life and the benefits ofchance. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The students were given a day or two to shoot pictures. I alwaysencourage them to take pictures of subjects in which they have aparticular interest, and subjects on which they won't mind spendingsome time. I was amazed a��maze?v. a��mazed, a��maz��ing, a��maz��esv.tr.1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise.2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex.v.intr. how fast they came into class with film ready to bedeveloped. We have a film developing station and printing facilities.Some programs encourage students to get their film developed inprofessional photo labs, along with prints, so they can critique thembefore they print the negatives they really want. The animated discussions among students as they looked at theircontact sheets were gratifying. They compared their work using commentsconcerning lead in lines, composition, tonal qualities, mood, rhythm andpattern. The students frequently took advantage of the many photo booksin the classroom for inspiration and information. These hardworking photographers know the benefits of a hands-onexperience. Soon they were back in the darkroom making their first testprints. It is unfortunate in this age of computer technology that much ofthe human qualities of photography are left behind for the quicker andmore instant gratification of some software products. I do introduce thecomputer technology and popular software to my photo students, butpersonally hold to the belief that students profit from a more hands-onexperience, where they have to rely upon their knowledge,decision-making skills, math skills and a trained eye to solve problemsthat computers often solve by default. Once the test prints were completed and 8" x 10" printshad been produced, the students matted their product for a professionalpresentation. The critique wall became populated with a wonderfulvariety of multiple images. When considering the inspiration and the fundamentals ofphotography, the students saw that the animation of Muybridge combinedwith Josephson's recorded effects of objects in motion formed aquality of light and imagery that would be difficult to produce throughany other medium but photography. Some students chose to show hands performing tricks that arequicker than the eye. Others focused on the multiple views of a favoritepet. During the critique period the students verbalized their ideas anddiscussed in more detail their process. The viewer can enjoy the visual effect of black and whitephotography vibrating vibrating,v using quivering hand motions made across the client's body for therapeutic purposes. with animation when examining these wonderfulphotographs that were shot in the dark. At the time of this project, artist, educator and Arts &Activities Contributing Editor A contributing editor is a magazine job title that varies in responsibilities. Most often, a contributing editor is a freelancer who has proven ability and readership draw. Charl Anne Brew was the visual arts andAP instructor at Bishop O'Connell PeopleAnthony O'Connell Bishop Denis J. O'Connell SchoolsBishop Denis J. O'Connell High School High School in Arlington, Va. MATERIALS * 35mm camera * Black-and-white or color film * Film processing equipment or source * Print processing equipment or source * Slides/books with appropriate reproductions * Various handheld light sources * Tripod * * Shutter-release cable * * Optional LEARNING OBJECTIVES High-school students will ... * apply media, techniques and processes with sufficient skill,confidence and sensitivity that their intentions are carried out intheir artworks. * conceive and create works of art that demonstrate anunderstanding of how the communication of their ideas relate to themedia, techniques and processes they use. * communicate and defend their ideas and how their ideas workthrough organizational principles and expressive features. * expand their use of the media, techniques and processes. * evaluate and defend the validity of sources for content, and themanner in which subject matter, symbols and images are used in thestudents' works and in significant works by others. * synthesize the creative and analytical principles and techniquesof the visual arts and the humanities.