A single photograph contains more than just documentation of its subject. When studied closely, photographs provide much more information about the context of the photographic moment, and on the intentions and subjectivity of the photographer. Computational photography – the processing of photographs as digital information – allows us to step outside of the photographic moment and context, to eliminate subjectivity (or at least try to), and to study photographs as architectural documents and as forensic evidence.
In this 3-day workshop, students will experiment with computational and photographic techniques to study and represent sites and places. Working in groups, students will work on a specific site and examine it using GIS mapping software, photogrammetry, programming, drone photography, archival and municipal information, 3d photographic reconstruction, and machine learning.
Out of the many tools you will be introduced to during this workshop, each student will pick one or two to further develop and experiment with. The purpose of this workshop is to encourage you to explore new forms and mediums for the production of spatial knowledge.
Prerequisites
Choose an area/region of inquiry. The entire class should have 4 chosen areas. These should be an unsettled open space and should be accessible to you. For example:
- Tel Be’er Sheba
- The Big Crater (A quarry inside Be’er Sheva, not the one in the Negev)
- The Muslim / Beduin Cemetary
- Sites along the Be’er Sheva River
- Sites of forestation or negligence on the perimeter of the city
Within your chosen areas, and in smaller groups, you will later focus on a specific site or phenomenon.
Remember to be mindful and respectful of the area you choose, and of other people who might be using it.
You can refer to the Be’er Sheva municipal GIS website to choose your site.
Equipment
- Camera, preferably not the one on your smartphones.
- Personal computer
Schedule
Day 1
- Introduction to workshop and artist talk
- Lecture: Intro to Computational Photography
- Workshop: Photogrammetry part I
- Personal and group fieldwork / working with the drone
Day 2
- Workshop: Photogrammetry part II
- Workshop: Historic and Public Material
- Workshop: Photographic 3d Reconstruction
- Studio time / fieldwork
Day 3
- Workshop: Mapping with QGIS
- Bonus workshop: Machine Learning with Runway.ml
- Studio time
- Presentations