Project by: Ruthanne Staskowski (10th Grade)
Project Advisor: Susan Now
Student(s)’s Advisor(s): Kara Luce

After taking Susan’s class I knew that photography was something that I was interested in and wanted to be able to explore more. Shortly after I finished taking her class, I found an old film camera that used to be my grandfather’s. In this project, I wanted to figure out how to use this specific camera and, through this process, I have learned not only just how to take photos, but how to use the different settings on the camera. I also hoped this project would help me get better at using the darkroom, specifically knowing the amount of time to expose an image and ultimately I think it has.

I decided to start this project a little early when I took my camera with me to Italy when I went over spring break. This way when I got back I already had some film to develop and work with. I ended up printing a good amount of the photos that I took in Italy and I am happy with the way that they turned out. Taking my camera with me, taught me a lot about how to use the camera because I had to load and unload the film and work through any problems that I encountered by myself.

Here are some photos of prints that I made: 

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Reflection:

Looking back on what I have learned and what I set out to do on this project, I feel like I have accomplished what I wanted to, but also so much more. Originally I just wanted to learn how to shoot with a film camera, however, I also learned how to load film, change the settings as well as developing the film. I also feel like I got better at using the darkroom and even improved my composition skills. While working on this project a challenge that I had was that one of my rolls of the film got partially destroyed. However, I was able to save some of the photos on the film and even printed some of them out. Another challenge that I encountered was that when I was in Italy I had to deal with any problems I had with the camera on my own, but ultimately I think that this taught me how to problem solve and think creatively. I feel like I worked very hard on this project,  once I had my photos I was in the darkroom at least two days a week.

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Project by: Ruthanne Staskowski (10th Grade)
Project Advisor: Susan Now
Student(s)’s Advisor(s): Kara Luce

Please write a description of the project you are proposing. Why do you want to take this on, and what do you hope to learn?

After taking Susan’s class and learning to use the darkroom and film. Recently, I found an old film camera that was my grandfathers. In this project, I would like to learn how to use this specific camera. I plan to explore taking photos off of the auto feature so that I can gain a better understanding of how to use the light meter and just how to use this old camera in general. Along the way, I will try to further develop my photography skills as well as try to gain a better understanding of how to use the dark room.

Critical thinking, creativity, citizenship and courage are essential LREI learning values. Explain how you’ll draw on at least one of these values to complete your proposed project?

For this project, I will draw on creativity in how I take my photos using different aspects of my camera. I will also be using critical thinking because this is something that is new to me and I will have to try and figure out how to do it .

What is your proposed outcome? How will you be able to demonstrate successful completion of this Project? How do you plan to share your learnings with the larger LREI community (e.g., exhibit of work, poster of learnings, performance, etc.)?

In the end, I would like to create a portfolio of my work containing at least 10 photos that I have taken and printed from this camera to demonstrate that I have successfully learned how to use it. I can exhibit my work just by hanging it up.

Please provide a general outline that indicates your work plan for the trimester? What are some of the key project benchmarks (i.e., goals that will help to ensure that you finish the project)?

Over the break, I will start to take photos for this project and when I come back I can develop the film and start printing. I will also continue to take photos and print throughout the trimester.

When do you plan on meeting?
X-block and maybe sometimes during lunch