Students to showcase photographs from
study abroad trip
Exhibition will feature images taken
during the 2005 London fall semester
Kristen Sween / Reporter
Students who studied abroad in London during the fall 2005
semester will be exhibiting their photographs from their
documentary photography class on March 14 on campus.
The exhibition will feature approximately 100 printed images
in Ward Gallery and a continuous slideshow of more than 300
images in the Isabella Cannon Room in the Center for the
Arts. The exhibition and reception will be open from 5-7:30
p.m.
Professor Ken Hassell was the faculty advisor for the
semester and taught the documentary photography course.
Thirty-one of the 37 students in the program enrolled in the
photography class.
The course, titled Documenting the Cultures of London, was
an interdisciplinary General Studies course and required
students to research and visit areas outside of central
London. They had to keep a journal with traditional research
notes as well as reflections of what they learned while
photographing.
Because most students had no previous formal photography
experience, the first few weeks were spent discussing
documentary work, qualities of a good photograph and working
out the logistics of the course.
"It was difficult to plan much of the course ahead of
time because we weren't sure exactly what type of
facilities we would be working with," Hassell said.
Students used their own digital cameras and burned CDs of
their images to show in class.
The class broke down into smaller groups and investigated
different areas of the city. During class, they critiqued
each others work and discussed any interesting experiences or
problems they encountered in their area that week.
Hassell explained that one of the goals of the course was to
introduce students to areas outside of central London; places
that most tourists never see.
"I have an appreciation for the massive amount of
diversity that London has to offer," Katie Bell said, a
junior. Bell said it was difficult to get to know an
area of the city in such a small amount of time.
The course required that students get to know the people who
lived and worked in the area. Bell said that she was
uncomfortable the first few times she approached people, but
she did have a positive experience.
"We met a lovely couple that was kind enough to have us
into their home a couple of times to visit and talk about
London and their lifestyles," she said.
Sophomore Janus Rogerson also said she had difficulty going
into an unfamiliar community. Rogerson said it was especially
difficult because she was in a predominantly Muslim
community, and she stood out.
During one visit to her area, Rogerson and classmate
Christine White came in contact with some men wearing
"Soldiers of Allah" t-shirts.
"We didn't feel threatened by them," Rogerson
said. "It made us aware of the caution that we
would have to take in our area."
Junior Brooksie Adams was documenting the Canary Wharf and
Docklands area of the city. One of her favorite
experiences with the project was photographing the fish
market at 6:30 a.m.
"The Billingsgate Fish Market offered a different
perspective from the skyline business district," Adams
said. She and classmate Katie Bobb spent the morning
getting to know the market workers and fisherman, while
photographing their experience.
Overcoming challenges such as location, time management and
restrictions in the city were all things that students had to
overcome.
Most students chose to visit their areas with their other
group members, but coordinating schedules around other
classes and internships was complicated.
The students also exhibited their work while still in
London. They used the classroom space available in the
Florida State University building as a gallery. Using the
Ward Gallery and Isabella Cannon Room allows the students to
show more of their photographs than earlier.
The exhibition in London was successful despite the limited
space and advertising.
"Although we didn't have a big outcome of
outsiders, we were able to enjoy each other's hard work
and company," Bell said. "I think this will be an
exciting time that will remind us of our amazing
semester."
The student photographers will be present at the exhibition
to discuss their photos and experiences with guests.
"I expect it to be much like our exhibition in London,
except on a larger scale," Rogerson predicted. "I
believe that students and teachers will come to this
exhibition because nothing like this has ever been attempted
before during a study abroad experience."
Contact Kristen Sween at pendulum@elon.edu or
278-7247.
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Hanita
Lessen / Photographer
Kristen Sween / Photographer