Press
NY Daily News, 03/31/09
Developing Talent: Students learn traditional photography techniques at the Bronx River Art Center
By Dorian Block | web link
They tinker with lighting. They frame their subjects. They mix the chemicals to develop the film and prints. Photography class is a lot more than point-and-shoot for a group of teens at the Bronx River Art Center. The six students in this semester’s class are studying the art of photography, learning about composition, the darkroom, and developing 35-mm film in a 12-week course.
Marisol Diaz, their teacher, who also works for EnFoco, a Bronx nonprofit that promotes cultural diversity in photography, said despite the world’s transition to digital cameras, going back to the basics will make the students better artists. “When you take 1,000 shots, you will most likely trip over one that is really good,” she said. “But if you use traditional photography to get those 36 shots and get five or 10 that are exceptional, that takes development.”
The Art Center on E. Tremont Ave. adds an environmental slant to all of its art courses. Diaz’s students take trips outdoors to photograph their environment. They also research minority photographers and write about them in at-home assignments.
“I deal with students of color,” Diaz said. “It’s a reflection on them when they learn about people whom they've never heard of that are a part of their community and successful.”