Taking Or Making A Photograph
/The New Westover School Website
When can we simply show up and take a photo, and when do we need to do more? Sometimes, we must assertively take action, prepare, and slow the process to make a photo. Susan Sontag, in her seminal work On Photography, asserts that the very act of taking a photo is to manipulate reality. The camera actively chooses to include certain things within the frame and exclude other things outside the frame. A photo of a person looking sound asleep lying in a field on a summer day can look peaceful and meditative. The same image backed up a little bit, now showing someone who was just out of frame before, pointing a gun at this “sleeping” person, suddenly feels very different. Perhaps we were looking at something far more sinister?
Girls School: A Connection
I have had the absolute pleasure of teaming up with The Westover School in Middlebury, CT, for the past year. Perhaps because I have a daughter (now 18 and a senior) of similar age to these young women, I have felt especially connected to and touched by this community. Together, we have developed an extensive library of imagery they have used throughout the school in various ways. Most recently, my work has been highlighted on their completely revamped website.
A Balance of Making and Taking
I feel that in my work with the team at Westover, we have created an outstanding balance between taking and making photos. Yes, as in most independent schools I work at, we have traversed the campus, ducking into rooms and trying to document what we see happening. Often with great success. But what I think stands out the most to me is the willingness of the Westover team to work with me to “make” some iconic images to represent the school. Some of the best examples are the lead images on their new website, the homepage slide show, and a few other critical sections.
Making a Photo: Example 1
©Tom kates
The client talked to me about their impressive dance program, one that many in the school participated in. They wanted to highlight this program, and of course, it’s my job to find a way to do that. To me, it made perfect sense to “make” a photo. Simply shooting an image in the fluorescent-lit dance studio where a rehearsal would take place that day, did not have the visual appeal I thought would be needed.
Having seen Alvin Ailey perform their signature piece, “Revelations,” many times, I had an idea for a photo that would be loosely based on the look that Ailey created at the beginning of that piece. As I discussed this idea, we quickly assembled a team to execute the plan. The director of strategic communications, head of school, dance director, and theater tech director were all called in to help. Now, this is making a photo!
We pulled together a number of Westover dancers for an hour in the afternoon, explicitly for a photo session. I worked with the tech director to get the stage lighting how I needed it. We even made a lighting cue on the light board named the “Tom Kates.” With the help of the fantastic dance instructor and her lovely group of students, we made a photo that now sits on the web home page. Showing power, skill, competence, and one that goes so well with their tagline, “Be Seen. Be Known. Be Boldly You.” This is a perfect example of the power of making a photo. We can combine a strong composition and dramatic lighting to give a meaningful visual look.
Could this have been achieved in a more organic, documentary way? Perhaps, but so many things would have to come together on the very day I was on campus. The making of the photo was the way to be assured we could highlight this fantastic dance program.
Making a Photo: Example 2
©Tom kates
Even in this photo of these six energetic young women running towards the camera, there was some photo-making going on. We gathered this special group representing the school’s spirit teams, the “Wests” and the “Overs” heads. With a history of this going back to 1909, we worked with these lovely students to generate energy and a warm vibe.
It’s absolutely on par with who they are and could be something they might do.
But in this case, we made this photo with intention, scheduling, and even some hard work. Another example of a situation where making a photo was the best way to go.
Should You Make or Take This Spring?
As we all think about spring photo shoots coming up, I encourage everyone to consider their goals. When might it make sense to take a full documentary approach, and when might it be better to make a photo come together actively? There are times and places for both, and I think the only mistake would be to rule out one or the other.
