ETHICAL STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
Ages 16-29
Fall 2023, JHU-MICA Film Centre
Street photography emphasizes the immediate, the available, the impromptu; what’s happening in the moment, in the open that the photographer can see and capture. Not all street photography centers or even includes the human figure, but when it does, what ethical questions are raised? It may be legal to take a picture of someone in public, but is it always right? Indeed, what does it mean to “take” a picture that may not be freely given? In this workshop student fellows will reflect on these questions, taking their human subjects into account, even as they articulate their own artistic visions. In discussion and in the field they’ll consider public vs. private spaces, photographing minors and other vulnerable individuals, cultural sensitivity, context, and other concerns, developing a practice built on respect. At the same time, they’ll hone technical skills, experimenting with the sometimes demanding conditions of photography in the real world in real time. Portfolios of their work and artists’ statements will be shared on the program website and at a public exhibition. Limited to 9 student fellows.
Faith Couch is a fine art photographer, educator, and curator whose work illuminates the Black memory landscape. Her photographs have been exhibited domestically and internationally, and her editorial work has appeared in the WSJ, NYT, and elsewhere. She is a 2021 Forbes Magazine 30 under 30: Art and Style honoree.
Alisha Mona'e Coates graduated from Morgan State University with a B.S. in Multi-Platform Media Production. A BYFA participant since 2016, she started her photography career at Edmondson Westside, and hopes to eventually open an art/photography studio.
