During this course, participants will view photographs in many different genres by famous American photographers. Participants will complete a photographic assignment each week, using a digital camera or cell phone. At the end of the week, two digital photo files from each participant will be e-mailed to the study leader. These photographs will be viewed by the group during the following session.

The course has two goals: to further the appreciation of photographic genres, and to provide participants the opportunity to explore new subjects and methods. We will discuss a photographer’s intention, narrative, and craft. Questions for discussion include: What is art photography? How is art photography different from photojournalism and documentary photography? What are the stories behind some iconic photographs?

During the sessions, we will discuss the impact of such publications as Camera Work, Life Magazine, Vogue and National Geographic on the photographic arts and on our perception of world events. We will view photographs in different styles, from “pictorialism” to “street photography,” and “modernism” to “photojournalism.” We will see photographs from Ansel Adams and Diane Arbus to the work of Garry Winogrand and John Zimmerman, “A to Z”.

During the last session, participants will view the work of some controversial photographers. We will discuss photographic manipulation from early days to the recent past. When can the truth be obfuscated by a photograph?