Final Project Proposal

Marissa Miller
October 9, 2009
Behind the Lens: Final Project Proposal

I’d like to explore the life and work of photographers. What goes into producing those adorable pictures of couples or those moving pictures of third world countries? How does one get that good? How are social networking technologies like Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr changing the value of photography (is it similar to how blogs and citizen journalists are changing journalism)?

People, especially college students, take pictures all the time. Anyone can be a “photographer” for an event; anyone can post their work on Facebook. But not everyone knows or appreciates the work that goes into more professional photography. They look at the professional pictures and acknowledge them as “nice,” but many people likely don’t know what goes on to make those pictures look so good, and they might want to know how that happens.

The only issue that comes to mind is that of whether or not photography can be considered professional, because a number of people believe that it isn’t, since many photographers, according to what I’ve heard, don’t need to have any sort of academic background or degree, yet we have the title “professional photographer.”

I’d still need to look into exactly what research this would entail, but I would find out about how many people post pictures on Facebook, statistics of professional photographers (about how many people pursue photography as a career?), and perhaps some of the background of psychological and emotional benefits that photography can have.

I would try to get in contact with a Washington Post or other news publication’s photographer. I’d also talk to some amateur photographers, people who take professional-quality photos, but perhaps don’t yet have a studio or get paid for their work. The finished story will hopefully include video of photographers taking pictures, some of a photographers’ pictures, interviews with photographers, and interviews with people who enjoy looking at professionally taken pictures.

I’m planning on doing audio slideshows of interviews with photographers while their work is showing on the slideshow, taking video of photo sessions and any in-person interviews, and taking pictures of behind-the-scenes development or process that aren’t captured through the slideshow or video interview.

Anyone who appreciates photography will be interested in this story. Our culture has been increasingly exposed to photography because of the Internet, and people definitely recognize when photography is good, but they just don’t know what’s behind the quality.

The story will occur and be photographed wherever the photographer’s work, or the effect of the photographer’s work occurs.

I may look into getting a higher quality recorder for any audio interviews that I need to do, and I’ll also have to use a rented flip camera from Tawes. I’m not sure what sort of equipment is most appropriate for photography for this project. I should be able to do all of the editing on my MacBook.

The story isn’t linked to a particular date or event, and the project will be done by the final exam deadline.