Ways of Seeing Walks of Life

A lecturer in the Journalism Programme at the Durban University of Technology.

Areas of interest include Filmmaking, Theatre, Photojournalism, Military

history, Mobile communications and Visual Anthropology.

Sporting interests include cycling, soccer, and sailing.e-mail: visualvoicemikhail@gmail.com

Reflections Along the Way: Learning Life Skills and

Photojournalism on the Streets of Durban

The successful Photojournalist is one who is able to identify

• social realities• needs and injustices• collect telling evidence for publication on the

spur of the moment, sometimes in threatening situations.

Photojournalism makes its own specific demands on those who undertake this form of news gathering, yet little of the knowledge, skills and values of Photojournalism can be learned from books.

Criteria:Pointers for assessment Marks awarded for:

• Overall package presentation, visual layout, pictures, and context• There are eight walks. Identify each walk separately.• Students will be penalized if a walk is missed.

Aspects to consider when compiling Ways of Seeing Diaries:• Introduction, Table of Contents, Page numbering… • Date of walk• Weather• Camera Make, Model• Detailed map/identify route and turn-around point• Three pics per walk• Names of group members

Criteria:Pointers for assessment Marks awarded for:

• Additional pic showing participant photographing in the field/picture credit

• Captions for pics• Detailed report for each walk. Include places of interest

visited, interaction with individuals and organizations, items such as business cards, research support materials.

• Include expressions on violence, ethics, feelings and emotions experienced on each walk

• Budget, with support vouchers• Learning outcomes• Plagiarism declaration

The experimentation processStudents have the opportunity through a hands on approach to experiment with their camera in the field.

SIGHTS SEEN

Student Map of Walk

Community of Practice

The heightened interactivity afforded by these walks make it possible for the development of a true Community of Practice.

Through the shared experience an atmosphere of collaboration flourishes as the participants engage in dialogue and exchange photographs. The constructive peer feedback encouraged by the discussion about their experiences is deeply motivational and leads to a heightened and creative process of inquiry and exploration. The collaborative process develops a sense of trust, security and mutual respect.

Participants who

are drawn from

widely different

backgrounds

experience a

“reframing” and

begin to see

situations through

the eyes of others.

Students are encouraged to research their Historical surroundings

Through the walks student engage with new environments and experience a diverse range of

people

Action research in the Photojournalism course at the Durban University of Technology contributes to the living experiences of first year students, so that they are equipped for success in the highly specialized field of Photojournalism.

Reflective Tweakings• Film Cameras/Digital Point and Shoot• Dress• Groups: size, composition• Visits: cold, expected• Register: turn around point• Notebooks/maps• Changing landscapes• Demographics• Photograph of student as a working photojournalist• Displaying the ‘Ways of Seeing’ diaries

DUT Journalism: Photojournalism 1Podcast Script: Ways of Seeing Walks

of LifeWalk 8: The Royal Playhouse Walk

We will visit the following places and spaces:• Academic Apparel -- Park Street• Adult Store – Park Street• Madressa Arcade – Cathedral Road• Ajmeri Arcade – Cathedral RoadWe then travel down Commercial Road and visit The Sari Shop

and Govan Mani.The next stop-off is at the statue of poet Fernando Pessoa.

Then on to the Old Durban Station to visit the statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

Next we visit Gugu Dlamini Park and view the giant AIDS ribbon.

A wander around the Workshop Centre leads us to St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral in Church Lane.

From there we enjoy a guided tour of the Royal Hotel in Anton Lembede Street.

Finally we arrive at the Playhouse Theatre Complex. We pose for a group photograph on the Grand staircase.

At the Playhouse Photo Studio we have a presentation by Maggie Langanparsad. A Group of 2010 picture taken by Maggie under studio lights completes the walks for the year.

The turn-around point is the Playhouse Photo Studio. Remember to sign the register.

The three essential photos are taken at:Academic Apparel; Royal Hotel; The Playhouse.Be prepared to answer questions in class before the walk based

on your research directed by the podcast. You could be asked to draw a map of the walk on the whiteboard for the class to assess.

Ensure you have your notebooks with you.Happy snapping

• Note: After the walk prepare a feedback audio report (podcast) describing your experiences on the walk. Include references to violence, emotions, and ethics.

• Explain how the pre-walk podcast has benefitted your learning experience.