The Beginning, Not The End...

Three days before our last class, the project manager from Mural Arts got a phone call from Septa saying that the channel 6 ABC news wanted to do a short story on the program. We were honored and overwhelmed all at the same time. We were excited to have Tema back for this session. She brought so much energy and enthusiasm with her to each class and we knew this one would be no different. Initially we had planned to bring in a capoeira group, but we had rescheduled it for our reunion in the first week of September. We started to pull together ideas and brainstorm to create a fun last class. Tema recommended a musician that teaches and explores various types of ethnic instruments and song while Kevin reserved a space at the Mural Arts building. 9 am, the news arrived at Septa headquarters ready to film our candid explorations.

Tema started with her infamous morning warm-up "ice breaker" activity, although by this point the ice had clearly been broken and everyone was here to have a good time. After shaking every limb and muscle, and warming up our smiles, we set out on the next train and began shooting. The news followed and were able to capture our footsteps through the trains. We took pictures of each other, set-up shots, and once we got off the train laughed as we walked through the rain all the way to mural arts.

When we got there, the musician's instruments were spread across the floor ready to be played and explored. Everyone gathered around him as he shared the history of the instruments. The news stayed to film and interview the class as they shared the personal transitions they were able to make through this program. For some, the experience will change how they treat a future person, situation, and even themselves. Through communication, photography, awareness of others, and a newfound respect for humanity each participant of this program created a relationship with one another and a new perspective on where each person comes from.

When the musical history finished, everyone grabbed an instrument and began to play. This drum circle/jam session created great energy and a sense of community as we all laughed with each other. As the program came to a close, everyone realized their own hurdles they had jumped and the struggles we as humans still need to overcome. Hugs and smiles were the last piece that brought this group together. Thinking back from the first day, this is a big step.

"This is the beginning, not the end..." Bernadette (participant in Septa Cops and Kids 2010)

To see the clip on channel 6 ABC News, go here: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/video?id=7607303

Subway Series

On possibly the hottest day of the summer, week five of Septa Cops and Kids commenced in the subway. As a group, we conversed about stillness verses motion. We had taken still shots up until now, and the train gave us the opportunity to explore motion through the lens. One shot we set-up involved a still subject in front of a moving background. We took this one step further and used multiple subjects in groups in front of the speedy subway going by. This is what we came up with.








After we played in front of the trains, we rode the blue line northbound and started designing shots inside the cars. We used depth by sitting/standing in different positions and lighting that happened naturally throughout the ride. The day to day routine of the train became a part of the artistic process. As the canvas changed, people came and went, different light came through depending on where we were in the tunnels, the train moved in all directions, turning, bumping, and stopping. A lot of heat, sweat, and smiling were captured in these pictures that will be used for the photo collage being installed at 1234 Market Street, Septa Underground.

Blind Photography

There have been many stories of triumph through pain and loss. Losing a sense that seems essential, may increase another sense so acutely that it will compensate for that loss. A prime example of this is Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the most influential composers of all time. Although he lost his hearing, he rose above it and used his other senses to continue doing what he loved.

Blind photography seems like an oxymoron, but it actually turned out to be an "eye-opening" esperience for the whole class. As a group, we learned that you don't need your sight, to capture something beautiful. In a "marco, polo" fashion, we blind folded the photographer while the subject moved around inside a space created by the rest of the class holding a rope. The photographer said the word "camera" and the subject replied with the word "photo." Through sound and touch, the photographer had the ability to set up his/her desired shot.











Below are a couple of shots that were captured by our blind photographers:

Count Your Blessings

To start off the class, Tema came back and this time there was no small talk ;). We went straight into to ice breaking activities and this is what we got...



We then talked about the five senses that we may sometimes take for granted. Here is a little summary of the discussion.

I have ten fingers and ten toes. I can see, hear, taste, smell, and feel. I have the ability to smile and laugh, to cry and frown.

Can you relate? Do you remember that you have all of these gifts at your fingertips everyday of your life? And even if you lack one or more of these abilities, what gifts DO you have? The main focus of week three's class was built around appreciating all of the things that we as humans take for granted. This life will always present obstacles; some large, some small, some mental, some emotional, and some physical. Yet, how do we use what we have to function in everyday society and to reach our goals? What if one of these abilities was suddenly taken away from us? Could we survive? We as a class were able to explore this idea through various activities and interactions.

Love Park

Week two proved that the ice breakers had worked. Everyone seemed to get along and be pretty comfortable with each other. So we dove right in and started learning about photography. To our suprise we found that some people were already well versed in the art of the camera.

We discussed topics such as:
*Framing
*Depth perception
*Themes
*Subjects
*Interacting with outside people

After this quick lesson we headed out for Love Park and began applying what we learned. We happened to come on a day that the park was full of diverse groups of people. The following pictures document the participants in the program while photographing in Love Park.

Breaking the Ice

This program is created for cops and kids with the intention of breaking down the stereotypes that have existed between the two since what seems like the beginning of time. One of the main goals is to create a more effective way to communicate and coexist. In this unconventional classroom we have the opportunity to drop the assumptions and pick up a camera. Through photography we can open our eyes wider to confront the stereotypes and find a better way to reason with each other. With each class everyone winds down a little, laughs some more, and starts to see each other as humans rather than a stereotype.

It's always hard meeting someone for the first time, let alone a police officer. The
stiff blue uniform and shiny metal badge, along with handcuffs and a pistol is enough to intimidate the youth as a whole. In fact, its enough to make anyone a bit nervous, guilty or innocent. In the very first class you could feel the tension among everyone. The general discomfort seemed to be experienced not just by the kids but the cops as well. In order to cut through the tension and break down peoples walls, we had a guest name Tema Esberg who came prepared with creative games. As an introduction she had an imaginary ball that was thrown around the classroom to create a level of interaction through eye contact.

The second activity she brought to the table was a game that involved learning peoples names in an unconventional way. Each person would say their name in their own style and everyone would have to repeat it the exact same way. Check out the video below to
get a better understanding.



We continued to play various ice breaker activities including one that involved a little bit of dancing. This took everyone out of their element and got the whole room laughing. The idea was not to embarass but to create comfort and within the rooom.




By the end of the class everyone seemed to be more on the same page and the comfort level had gone way up. Rather than being just cops and kids we felt more like equal human beings. The following week, we integrated the cameras in the lessons and found even more unity and creative expression within the group.