Photo Collective is a new branch of Ferris’ registered student organization the American Association of Graphic Arts (AIGA).
With over 40 graphic design students involved with AIGA, Jeff Ek, co-advisor of Photo Collective and graphic design professor, hopes the organization will reach out to students to share their artwork.
One of the goals for Photo Collective is to attract a diverse group of students who are passionate about photography. William Culpepper, co-advisor of Photo Collective and assistant professor in the marketing department, said anyone can make an image with photography by looking around you.
Culpepper said he wants the organization to be full of students who document what they see. He recognizes that students have potential to inspire one another with their creativity.
“I think by exposing the community and the campus to different observations, other people will be inspired to make their own observations,” said Culpepper.
Created by Culpepper in December of 2010, co-chair student members include Kate Dupon, Scott Deca and Steve Laydon.
In addition to individual work, Photo Collective will also have a semester-long project involving pinhole cameras.
Pinhole cameras are cameras constructed from household materials such as a box or coffee can. The photographic paper or film is placed under the lid. Pictures are formed once light hits the film. The light goes through a pin-sized hole at the bottom of the device. Under bright circumstances, a photo may take only one or two seconds to create.
Photo Collective students will make their own pinhole cameras using photographic paper to create unique images.
“A lot of activities include picture competitions with their hand-made pinhole camera. These are black and white photos that look almost ghostly,” said student board member Scott Deca.
Deca said the construction of a pinhole camera could take up to a few days to complete. He hopes students are not intimidated by the club if they do not have a lot of photography experience.
Photo Collective will incorporate Big Rapids based activities as well. One project involves taking an old picture from the ‘40s, ‘50s or ‘60s from downtown and remaking it. Meetings will also be dedicated to guest speakers or planning an exhibition to showcase student work.
The first meeting of Photo Collective will be held in BUS 313 on Jan. 27 at 11 a.m. For more information about Photo Collective, contact Jeff Ek at ext. 2349. n