Cameras and canals

by Matt Collette

July 31, 2012

Venice is a city of bridges and canals, of art and history. And, earlier this summer, it doubled as the perfect classroom for a group of Northeastern students studying photography on a Dialogue of Civilizations program.

Andrea Greitzer, a lecturer of digital art and photography in the College of Arts, Media and Design, led the Dialogue. Greitzer, who teaches an introduction to photography course, said many of the program’s students are studying fields like engineering, psychology and neuroscience.

Students took daily classes and completed weekly assignments in preparation for a final photo project focused on a particular theme. They completed two classes during the four-week program: History of Art in Venice, plus either Photo Basics or Photo 1.

We asked three students to share their favorite photos taken during the Venice Dialogue. To view photographs from all students who traveled to Italy for the Dialogue, visit www.neuvenicephoto.com, click on “2012,” and browse through the students’ works.

Frank Rocco, senior chemical engineering major

Photo by Frank Rocco.

Venice was a really interesting place where culture, business and tourism all collided. There was a certain dynamic between the Venetians and tourists that was really fascinating to watch. On any given day, you would see a Venetian walking with purpose, quickly down an alley passing by tourists peering through windows and gawking at all of the beauty around them. With this photo, I tried to capture that purpose and swiftness that most Venetians walk with, passing by the most classic symbols of tourism: currency exchange, retail stores and tired street vendors trying to swindle a few bucks for an ugly handbag.

Joe Stella, third-year graphic design major

Photo by Joe Stella.

I wanted to focus on a subject matter that was typically overlooked. Venice’s canals held a variety of seaweed and algae. Each day I set out to photograph the seaweed I found with a focus on composition, space and movement. I am very pleased with my results and the Dialogue.

Laura Beth Solomon, senior civil engineering major

Photo by Laura Beth Solomon.

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As a civil engineering major, I find bridges very interesting. Venice was an amazing place to photograph bridges because there are canals everywhere. Each bridge was completely unique and connected two different neighborhoods. This bridge was one of the only remaining wooden bridges in Venice. It shows the personality of the Venetians and has character.

Click here to see work from this year’s Dialogue of Civilizations program on photography in Cuba.