THE PHOTOGRAPHIC EYE

far enough away from each other to avoid distractions. Tell them they must
stay where they are for 36 minutes, shooting one entire roll of film during
that time at one-minute intervals (which you signal for them). They may
stand, sit and turn around, but must not otherwise move. They may not photograph
the same view twice. The goal is to produce as many different kinds
of photographs as possible and they will be graded only on this basis: three
points for each frame on a contact sheet (there's no need to make prints of
them all) which does not repeat any other frame on the roll. The same
approach can be applied to a single object, in which case students may move
about freely but must shoot every frame of that one object from a different
perspective.
Yet another playful option is a variation on "treasure hunts." Draw up a
list of common objects or sketch various shapes and instruct students to
locate and photograph each one within a specified time. This may be refined
in any number of ways specific to any stage of the course. For example, you
might simply instruct students to photograph as many different shapes (or
textures or lines) as possible within a specified time on a single roll of film.
Or you might assign a list of photographic categories: black-on-white, grayon-gray,
motion, detail, shadow, texture, etc. This last exercise is an especially
efficient means of conducting a capsule review, which can serve as a
useful reminder of photographic elements which students may have begun
to neglect.
By using any of these methods to "circle back" to previously covered
ground, you can accomplish the goals of reteaching students in need of special
assistance without separating them from the rest of the class, as all students
should find these exercises entertaining (at least) and possibly highly
instructive. Returning to basics in this manner can provide a reassuring sense
of progress, provide the sort of plateau experience mentioned above and promote
awareness of the ways in which the various elements of photography
are integrated and interwoven. At the same time, students who have lagged
behind in certain areas can painlessly reprise them and may, in the process,
come to understand concepts or develop skills that were previously missed.
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