(Photo by Karin Higgins)Karin Higgins, a Master's student at SJSU has been photographing the lives of her sister's triplets since before they arrived in the world. Now, more than two years later, Karin continues to document her two nieces and nephew in a beautiful and meaningful way.
Down with the flu and overwhelmed with work, I was eager to learn more about how the Luci S. Houston Photography Project went on Saturday. I promise to make it next time, promise.
Two photojournalism students, Jason Fithian and Angela Goodman , from San Jose State University participated in the day-long event, which is coordinated by San Jose Mercury News photojournalist Anne-Marie McReynolds. The project is part of the the KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) Heartwood Academy in San Jose and brings together fifth grade students from the surrounding working-class, minority Alum Rock neighborhood. Jason and Angela are highly motivated and very enthusiastic when it comes to photography and helping out.
According to Jason, "The photography aspect of the program is just one of the several 'elective' classes the students can attend, where they can learn what interests them. There are electives such as music, drama, literature, and of course, photography. The kids are so eager to learn."
Basically the students did two activities, reinforcing their vocabulary that was learned earlier. The first activity .... I helped with was the "Do You See What I See?" where a group of students went around with a 'frame' looking for something to document. They would describe to the group what they were seeing, using their terms of: same level, bird's eye, worm's eye, wide shot, medium shot and close up. After they described what they were seeing, they would use their camera and make their photo. We did this a few times. The students were so excited to go out and make photos.
The next session, I switched and went inside to do the next session
with a different group of students called "In the News" where students
would cut out images in the SJ Mercury and paste them on a a large
sheet of butcher paper, again, using their vocabulary. The second
group of students were very eager to participate. It's so cool to see
that there is this connection with the students, how much they
appreciate you around. It's cute, some students were cutting out
advertisements and comic strips - then you just guide them to look for
a photograph.
The next opportunity for volunteers to participate in the Luci S. Houston Photography Project in on March 19th.
