New Images 2004-2005

Connecticut State Department of Education Interdistrict Grant
Photojournalism

Coordinated by EASTCONN
Supported by the Connecticut State Department of Education
EASTCONN Coordinator: Lisa C. Taylor

The Theme:
The diversity of nature in all its seasons.

The Vision:

This project has evolved, juxtaposing the beauty of nature photography with the desolation and desperation of James Nachtwey's photographs of Afghanistan and Roumania and Africa . The students toured the powerful exhibit at the William Benton Museum of Art. Some students chose to write about these moving photographs. They learned how a photograph can speak volumes about a situation.

All of our trips began at Mansfield Hollow Dam where we photographed the changing landscape. We began in the autumn and progressed through the long and harsh winter into the reluctant and slow to come spring. The students were brave enough to photograph in sub-zero weather on a February trip. We were able to purchase more cameras this year so more students had the opportunity to experiment with the wonders of digital photography. All students participated in photography workshops and writing workshops. Many chose to write poetry, a form of writing that lends itself quite well to photographs of the natural world. In school writing workshops enhanced the writing process.

Schools: Coventry High School New London High School Bloomfield High School

Teachers: Alison Blair Bob Slajda Suranto Stark Julie Sawyer David Bridges Linda Pfeiffer

Behind the scenes:

Thanks to the following EASTCONN people for lending their support and expertise to this project:

Nancy Vitale, Dara Bowling, Peter Landry, Fran Piela, Dan Rose, Barbara Greenbaum, Cindy Laurendeau, Cindy Curry.

Thanks to the following people who lent considerable time and talent to this project:

Liang Pei , Stephanie Welsh, Joe Peters, Lori Davis, Russ Taylor, Suranto Stark, Alison Blair.