PhotoPoetry
In April, photography students embraced National Poetry Month with a PhotoPoetry assignment.
What is photopoetry? It is an exploration of the symbiotic relationship between poetry and photography. The two bear striking similarities. Each presents compact glimpses of reality, methodically scrutinized, frequently infused with lyricism, and with more complex layers than initially appear.
For this assignment, students were tasked with creating a series of photographs based on a poem or song of their choosing. They began the assignment by researching and choosing a poem, or writing their own, that they felt an immediate, and in-depth, connection with to use. They were given complete creative freedom of subject, theme, genre, style, etc. regarding the poem and photography for the assignment.
As they created their photographs students had to keep in mind that the poem and the photographs must each be able to stand on their own, as well as together, and that the final presentation should be revealing, rather than explaining, in order to engage the viewer’s imagination.
For the final presentation, some students chose to work digitally, while others chose to work with mixed media or darkroom processes.
Stephenie Koerne is a Graphic Designer, Photographer, and Educator but better known as Jill-of-all-Trades. When not juggling work tasks, Stephenie wiles away the hours working on her photography and other art projects, collecting toys (as showcased in her office!), and reading. She loves dogs, cats, and cupcakes and pink is her signature color.
