Assignment One: Traffic

This assignment will explore the movement of the individual while navigating complex system of Los Angeles freeways and roads. While shooting the assignment, consider the assigned readings and your own feelings about car culture and driving and how transportation alters one's relationship to the city.

Please choose from one of the 4 assignments below:

1. Choose a major artery of the city (ie. Wilshire Blvd, La Cienega, La Brea, Santa Monica Blvd, Sunset Blvd, etc). Drive or take the bus from one end of the street to the other (ie If you chose Wilshire Blvd, you would start at the beach and end up in Downtown). Stop and photograph along the way as the street changes through different neighborhoods and landscapes.

2. Take the bus somewhere you would normally drive (at least 3 miles) and create a series of images based on the experience.

3. You should be a passenger not the driver in this assignment- have a friend drive you.   Get on I-10 driving east on a weekday between 5-7. While stuck in the inevitable traffic, create a series of images- the challenge of this project will be creating compelling work while in a confined space.

4. Combine photography with another medium to reflect your embrace or ambivalence about Southern California car culture.

Requirements:

3-4 prints and at least 2 rolls of film. (3 rolls if you are shooting medium format).

As the color machine will not be turned on for a few more weeks (more students will be using it then), this assignment must be done in black and white. All future assignments can be either black and white or color.

Important Dates:

Assignment Due September 13

Open Lab: September 11