Making a Picture (PHT-0157)

Spring 2024 · PHT 0157 · Tufts University · 4 credits · Undergraduate

Learning about photography from a concept-based or author-centric point of view. Breaking with the notion of “straight photography," students will construct/plan their photographs, intervene in the space, construct still-lifes and larger environments, consider the veracity of photographs, and create things to be photographed. Emphasizes the intentionality in student work and places that work in a larger historical context. The idea of “making” a picture instead of “taking" a picture has been around since the invention of photography, and was earlier referred to as “Art Photography” (differentiating it from photography as simply an objective, record-keeping process). Gaining particular popularity in the 1980’s at the height of Postmodernism, “making” practitioners today include Cindy Sherman, Gregory Crewdson, Lalla Essaydi, Paul Mpagi Sepuya, Mickalene Thomas and many others. Level: Open to all levels. Non-SMFA students and MAT Art Education students will receive a letter grade.

Course codes: PHT-0157, PHT 0157, PHT0157, PHT-157, PHT 157, PHT157

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