Commercial Photography
Student Work
January 25 – February 25, 2021

Professor Krista Svalbonas final project for her Commercial Photography class tasked each student to focus on social, political or environmental issues of importance to them.  Each project follows an industry creative strategy brief which the students execute.

Nasir Chandler

African Americans have always been given negative stereotypes. Occupation wise, we’re told that the only thing we’re good at is rapping or being athletes. Regarding these stereotypical activities, we’re also not taken seriously, being told that our opinions don’t matter, and we should only focus on what we’re “paid (expected) to do.”

• “They tellin’ n***** sell dope, rap or go to NBA, in that order. It’s that sort of thinkin’ that been keepin’ n***** chained at the bottom and hanged.” – J. Cole (from his song “Immortal”)
• “It’s always unwise to seek political advice from someone who gets paid $100,000,000 a year to bounce a ball…shut up and dribble.” – Laura Ingraham (Fox News host who responded to Lebron James and Kevin Durant’s opinion on Donald Trump)

In addition, the most mistreated and neglected individual is an African American woman. African American women are stereotypically seen as materialistic, “ghetto”, and only useful through a sexualized viewpoint.

• “The most disrespected person in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America is the black woman.” – Malcolm X
• “In American society, black women are the most ignored but yet the most idolized. Black women are taught to fit into societal standards to be beautiful but in the same breath take everything they have naturally and try to make it 100x better on other people. Black women are seen as materialistic and sexual beings. As a black female people look at me and see a sex symbol but also someone who only wants money. Black women are looked down upon in American society and it’s time for a change.” -Justine Jones (a friend who gave her outlook on the mistreatment of black women)

Alyssa Farell

“The meat and dairy industries are one of the largest contributors to climate change. I decided to focus on six major environmental effects of the industries. Each piece was shot using typical food lighting and used red meat (one of the largest contributors) and milk. The meat was shaped to talk about a specific issue.”

Sophia Dell’Arciprete

For my final project I wanted to focus on over-consumption in American culture. There has been a rise in ethical consumption from consumers, but ultimately there needs to be radical change from our government. Each photograph showcases a product or item that is consumed at high rates, with not enough regulation from industries. Topics include: plastic, deforestation, fast fashion, fossil fuels, meat consumption, and the harmful chemicals from technology. 

I chose to style each photograph as if one was eating at a dinner table. I believe that the dinner table is a unique place in all households and offers a lot of insight on how people consume.

Digital Photography I

This course introduces students to the fundamental terminology, concepts, methodologies, and techniques of digital photography. It focuses on the principles of composition, lighting, and visual storytelling.

For this assignment, students were asked to work in two dimensions to construct an image that subverts the normal cognitive cues that suggest a logical spatial configuration.  The most important aspect of this assignment was for students to create work that challenges both them and the viewer to rethink ideas commonly connected to photography. Students use, mirrors, foils, lighting gels and other objects to create these colorful, abstract pieces.