Neighborhood Walk Assignment - Due 11/18

Assignment:

Choose a route in your neighborhood that you will walk while photographing places of interest that help define your neighborhood’s identity. You may use the ideas and terms you studied in the Park Slope and gentrification units, and build on these concepts to capture the character of your neighborhood, its trends, development, history, landmarks and places you predict might disappear. Notice whether or not your neighborhood shows signs of gentrification. Observe and photograph the neighborhood with these topics in mind, and remember, neighborhoods do not all share the same trends. Be thoughtful when identifying the specific qualities of your neighborhood. Follow these steps toward the completion of the portfolio assignment.

Steps:

1. Figure out what camera you will use: Determine whether you have a USB cable to go with your camera. If you do, use that camera. If you do not, see if you can share a camera with a friend from class; then coordinate a schedule with him or her to borrow his or her camera. Tell your teachers what camera you will use before the walk. If you do not have one, your teachers will discuss arrangements with you individually.

2. Choose landmarks to photograph: designated landmark(s) (city, state or national), community landmarks that are a focal point of life in your neighborhood (parks, churches, stories, pizza shops) and personal landmarks that holds personal significance just for you. You may change your mind and use different landmarks once you go on the walk.

3. Determine in class and at home which street route you will walk: Your route should be for an area that takes at least a half-hour to walk.

4. Complete the neighborhood walk: Make sure to take many photos of buildings, people, landmarks and overall, what goes on in your neighborhood.

5. Complete the neighborhood walk handout sheet during the walk. You will use this to write your labels and, later on, an essay. Bring it to class with your photos to show your teacher.

Due Date to bring in your pictures from the photo walk: Wednesday, November 18, 2009.

6. Download the photos to the school laptops and, if possible, your computer at home.

7. Select the photos to use in your photo and text presentation.

8. Label the photos as you have been taught.

Note: We will cover each step in-class on a consistent basis. Please make sure you are in class everyday or find out what you missed.