THE PHOTOGRAPHIC EYE

work of your students in a rotating display. One recommendation that applies
to any proposal of this kind is that you should first prepare an impressive
portfolio of your students' best work, so you are clearly offering a service
and not merely asking a favor. In addition, be sure that the work you present
is appropriate: landscapes or appealing portraits (possibly in color) are likely
to be of greater interest to a restaurant than shots of the latest football game,
though again this will vary according to local taste.
Any gallery or other exhibit that includes a substantial number of photographs
is a fabulous opportunity for students to be exposed to the work of
other photographers. Plan a field trip and follow it up with a critique session,
encouraging students to voice their responses to the work they have
seen. Better still, you might be able to arrange for a private viewing (at a
time when the gallery or exhibit is officially closed or expecting low attendance)
and do the critique right then and there. (This is of course preferable
to having to remember what the photographs looked like.) Perhaps the
photographer!s) featured in the exhibit would be willing to meet with your
students and explain the work on display, both in terms of artistic intent and
technical considerations.
When visiting a gallery or exhibit with your class, don't forget to raise
practical questions as well as exploring aesthetics. For example, how are
the photographs mounted and arranged? How might certain effects have been
produced? What ideas, techniques or locations might students try to emulate?
Advertising Agencies
Any local advertising agency is yet another potential resource, regardless of
its size or prestige. A large, "flashy" agency (the sort that produces full-color
advertising spreads or sales literature for major corporations) should be willing
and able to provide an exciting and highly instructive classroom presentation
or tour. A smaller and more modest operation can demonstrate how
photography is employed in newspaper ads or simple brochures.
There is a better chance that smaller-scale agencies will be open to more
substantial (and ultimately more rewarding) collaboration as well. For example,
you might be able to arrange for your class (again, possibly in teams)
to assist with the photography for some advertising projects. (It may also be
possible to arrange this directly with your local newspaper.) Alternatively,
perhaps your class could attend some of the planning and design sessions in
which agency staff decide how to approach an ad and which photographs to
include in it.
If there are no advertising agencies in your community, you have an excellent
opportunity to make an offer to local merchants. Ask them if they'd like
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