Follow Up 9/12

Dear Class,

Thanks for your thoughtful responses and conversation yesterday! I was also generally impressed with your 'zines, your problem solving skills, and your working relationships with one another. Keep up the good work.

PLEASE BE ON TIME, NEXT WEEK AND FOREVER. I have little desire to get disciplinary about time, so let’s please be courteous and all be present when class starts, and following breaks. I do my best to get you guys out on time each week, but that relies on us making the best use of our shared time together.

Below are a few follow-ups from this week, and some reminders for next week.

The Cage:

Please remember to fill out the form from the cage and drop it off so that they can enter you into the system. Once you do this, you can start checking out equipment. Next week, we will do a demo of the DSLR cameras you have access to for this class, which are the D70 and the D200. You'll need to use a DSLR to complete your assignment due in two weeks (If you have your own, you can use that. But please let me know what make/model you will be using).

Stuff you need to have for next week:

In order to use the cage equipment, you will need to purchase your own:

CF (CompactFlash) card (for the DSLR cameras)

SD Card (for video camera and audio recorder)

USB A to USB Mini B cable (for transferring images from the cameras to your computer. 

You will use these cards throughout the year, and beyond. I did a quick search of all three of these things on amazon, and you should be able to get all of them for under 50 dollars. If you order them soon, you should have them by next week. You should also be able to get them at the bookstore. You must have a CF card and a cable, next week, in order to use the equipment from the cage.

Laptop:

Please bring your laptop to class next week, with photoshop. Please also have all of your images taken during your research on the connective corridor loaded on to your computer, in a folder specifically for TRM 153.  You do not need to post these to your blog. We will do a photoshop workshop, in class, using your images so you will be prepared for next week. 

Homework:

Come to class with notes and photo sketches (take lots of photos!) from at least 2 destinations on the Connective Corridor bus line. You may choose how you take these photos (on a camera phone, point and shoot, DSLR*.) You must go off campus. Here is a map of the route, including points of interest: http://connectivecorridor.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/CC-Bus-Map-with-stops-18x24-poster-image-size.pdf

Here is the connective corridor bus website: http://connectivecorridor.syr.edu/bus/

I'd suggest riding the whole loop! Know where you get off/back on. While in the field, be adventurous and inquisitive. Ask questions, talk to people. Read signs, read between them. Be prepared to talk thoughtfully about your research in class next week during one-on-one meetings with your instructor in class. You will revisit one of your locations next week to complete work to be presented during your first critique (in two weeks).

I am asking you to experience this city as a very modern flaneur. Get to know a part of this city you don’t already.  Wandering with intention, looking closely with the expectation of acknowledging something you find compelling. Try out this way of seeing.  Come back prepared to talk about your research.

*If you want to use one of the cage DSLRS this week, and if you have any trouble with reservations, let me know and I’ll do my best to help you out. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO USE A DSLR THIS WEEK, BUT YOU WILL NEXT WEEK.

Readings:

Please read these two articles for next week. Please write a short response to the articles, and post on the blog. Be sure to include your opinions! (For reference: 2-3 brief paragraphs is an appropriate length). PDFs of these are on Blackboard.

The Art of Peeping, The Guardian.co.uk

How Laura Poitras Helped Edward Snowden Spill His Secrets, NYTIMES Magazine

Also, if you have not posted your response to The Medium is the Massage, please post 3-5 points or reflections based on your assigned section of the text. Please have this posted before the start of class next week. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO YOUR OTHER ASSIGNMENTS. Thank you for those that have already done so.

See you next week! I'm looking forward to what you bring back. As always, don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions.

Best,

Jessica