Photo for KIPP Schools Annual Report.
Shot with an Olympus E-520 camera and
one of the telephoto zooms at 150mm, f4.5.
I've been reading a lot about the Canon R5 lately and looking at files from that camera, the Sony A7RIV and the Panasonic S1R. But I am reminded by this photo (and by my current inability to go and shoot things like this!!!) that the camera pales in importance to being in the right place to even get a photograph and at the right time in order to get the right expression.
While a higher res camera with a state-of-the-art sensor might get me a bit more detail I don't think it would have made any real difference for the project that was the target for this image. It would have printed pretty much the same.
When I photographed for the KIPP schools I was left to my own devices to decide on which children to select and when to shoot. We didn't set up "scenarios" or direct the kids in any way. My only secret to getting as many good shots as I could was to arrive early in the morning, be there when the kids got there, and immerse myself in their classrooms for the entire day. I sat down and ate lunch with them and they thought that was okay.
By the end of the day I had become more or less invisible. I don't think that's possible without investing the time to become invisible. If you show people your sincere process they will reflect back what your camera needs.
I hope smart educators figure out ways to keep our children and teachers safe and learning. I don't care about the politics of this but it should be a top priority. Healthy children and healthy teachers are better for society, the long term economy and my peace of mind....
6 comments:
Very relevant post, as our local school district (in an affluent suburb of Indianapolis) just released their "back to school" plans yesterday. It is a textbook example of "trying to please everyone" instead of leading with a concrete plan that puts the science of health and safety first. Just one example of their cop outs: "In classrooms, teachers will determine when face coverings can be removed." How unfair to their instructors, to push this type of policy making down to the classroom level. I share your sentiments, Kirk, getting this right is so important , yet it is going to be such a fragmented response that nobody wins.
"Healthy children and healthy teachers are better for society, the long term economy and my peace of mind...."
Thank you! Thank you about 15,000 times.
The decisions here in Arizona have been mostly political. Needless to say, I am real concerned about the welfare of my grandkids.
I've yet to hear from my school board about what is happening in September. I know parents want kids back in school full time so they can return to work but it doesn't seem feasible to have 30 kids in a room all day long. I'm ready to return to the classroom but honestly, I am more than a bit concerned about getting sick.
I concur with your teachers and pupils point. My daughter has been home schooling reasonably effectively for four months, but in the last few weeks they've had them in (and socially distancing) for one morning a week, to test out systems in preparation for the new school year in September.
I've been hugely impressed by the care and effort they've taken and reassured by the extensive planning they've done around the full return in the autumn.
I particularly liked the emphasis they're placing on pastoral support for the teachers and kids (much expanded space and resources for their counselling services and more).
It's a marathon not a sprint, but I guess the training of the last few months is starting to pay off.
Hope you are keeping well and safe,
Mark
Socrates taught outside, under an olive tree, so move classes outside with good ventilation and distancing. If Taco Bell can still serve food then teachers can still teach.
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