This past summer I pioneered a photography workshop for female inmates in a New York City prison. It would not have been possible without the incredible generosity of Adorama who provided brand new cameras, lenses, SD cards and even an iPad for the class. For the sake of weight, size and automatic functions, I chose to use Sony A7s cameras with a 50mm Sony Zeiss lenses. It isn’t often that I have to think about whether the camera can be used as a weapon or as a way to store contraband but in this instance I had to think that way and knowingly leave the camera straps at home.
I am a BIG fan of the Sony A7 cameras. In fact, I think it may be the first official woman’s camera. I know there are men reading this shaking their heads right now, but I am 5ft tall with hands the size of a child, and this camera actually fits me. I’ve been using cameras designed for much larger people all my life and it’s refreshing to have a camera in my hand that feels like it was designed for me.
This is a photo of me. See, the camera fits.
This correctional facility had never offered a photography workshop before. So when my Think Tank airport bag with all the Sony photo gear went thru security without a hitch – I could hardly contain my astonishment. I rolled that case thru the hallways and right into the classroom where I awaited my students.
This was not my first time photographing inside a prison, I am well aware of how uncomfortable prisons are with cameras. So, just-in-case this was my one and only time with these women, I wanted the cameras in their hands as soon as possible. After a brief intro, I passed out the cameras and their assignment. “Take portraits of one another the way me and every other photojournalist has to take portraits in prison, no faces, no markings, nothing recognizable.” Ready. Set. Go.
(For safety reasons, I can only show this handful of images and I am unable to give photo credit, by name, of the images in this post.)
I wish there was a video I could show you of that class. The women were so engaged and creative. I suggested they shoot from above, from below. Within seconds a student was on a table, another lay on the floor, one held up a paper flower in front of her face. Another student directed a Correction Officer to photograph her, and I listened as she told him how to hold the camera what she wanted in the frame. For one hour they were given freedom of expression, control over a medium and even with all the limitations of what they could and could not photograph, they directed their shots.
Way too quickly it became time for “the count”. They returned the cameras and on their way out the door, I reminded them of their assignment, “Study the light. Watch the shadows move across your cell-block, the cafeteria, the classrooms. Pay attention to how the light or the shadows make you feel.” And then they were ushered back to their lives on the inside and I returned to my life on the outside.
That night, downloading the images I gasped out loud. Some of these images were really good and I could tell that of my 13 students, at least two of them already knew how to see. I was so excited for the next class – we would edit the images together and talk about light, composition and subject.
I was wise to get the cameras in the student’s hands as soon as possible. That was the first and last day of the workshop. The prison decided I could no longer bring cameras in the classroom. I was disappointed and so were the students, but this experience showed me what was possible, it showed me that teaching inmates to visually tell their stories is a great idea. So, stay tuned. I’ve devised a “new and improved” workshop/re-entry program that will be soon be getting underway in a federal prison.
If you are interested in finding out more about my prison workshops or using your camera for social change, please come to my Art+Activism seminar at Adorama on Nov 14th at 5:30pm.
