About this course: Although taking, sharing, and viewing photographs has become second nature for many of us, our regular engagement with images does not necessarily make us visually literate. This course aims to address the gap between seeing and truly understanding photographs by introducing a diversity of ideas, approaches, and technologies that inform their making. In this course you will look closely at photographs from the collection of The Museum of Modern Art and hear a variety of perspectives on what a photograph is and the ways that photography has been used throughout its nearly 180 year history: as a means of artistic expression, as a tool for science and exploration; as an instrument of documentation; to tell stories and record histories; and as a mode of communication and critique in our ever increasingly visual culture. Learning Objectives • Develop skills to better examine and understand the differences between photographs and photographic images. • Discover how context influences the production, circulation, and reception of photographic images. • Learn about different modes of artistic and technological experimentation and innovation in photography. • Investigate photography’s role in our increasingly visual culture.
Who is this class for: This course, aimed at a general audience interested in photography, is designed to help build skills in looking critically at photographs. No prior knowledge of studio photography or history of photography is required. Please note, this course does not address technical skills for making or editing photographs.
Taught by: Sarah Meister, Curator
Department of Photography
| Commitment | 6 weeks of study, 1-2 hours/week |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Italian, Spanish, Russian, Chinese (Simplified) |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
- Reading: 1.1 Introduction
- Video: 1.2 Seeing Through Photographs
- Video: 1.3 Interview with Marvin Heiferman
- Reading: 1.4 Required Readings & Additional Resources
- Reading: 2.1 Introduction
- Video: 2.2 Interview with Vik Muniz
- Video: 2.3 Vernacular & Fine Art Photographs of the Moon
- Video: 2.4 Early Photographs of the Moon: Surface, Scale & Technology
- Video: 2.5 New Perspectives: Man on the Moon
- Slideshow: 2.6 Slideshow
- Reading: 2.6 Slideshow [mobile-friendly version]
- Video: 2.7 Ansel Adams. Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico. 1941
- Video: 2.8 Eugène Atget. Pendant l'Eclipse. 1912
- Video: 2.9 U.S.G.S. & NASA, Surveyor III. Surface of the Moon, Day 319, W-F. 1967
- Reading: 2.10 Required Readings & Additional Resources
- Discussion Prompt: 2.11 Discussion Questions
- Reading: 3.1 Introduction
- Video: 3.2 Sarah Meister on Documentary Photography
- Slideshow: 3.3 Slideshow
- Reading: 3.3 Slideshow [mobile-friendly version]
- Video: 3.4 Dorothea Lange. Migrant Mother. 1936
- Video: 3.5 Larry Sultan and Mike Mandel. Evidence. 1977
- Video: 3.6 Susan Meiselas. Carnival Strippers. 1973-75
- Reading: 3.7 Required Readings & Additional Resources
- Discussion Prompt: 3.8 Discussion Questions
- Reading: 4.1 Introduction
- Video: 4.2 Interview with Nicholas Nixon
- Video: 4.3 Interview with Katy Grannan
- Slideshow: Slideshow 4.4
- Reading: 4.4 Slideshow [mobile-friendly version]
- Video: 4.5 Akram Zaatari. After They Got the Right to Arms. Fourteen young men posing with guns. Early 1970s/2006
- Video: 4.6 Frances Benjamin Johnston. The Hampton Album. 1899-1900
- Video: 4.7 Tina Barney. Sunday New York Times. 1982
- Video: 4.8 Nicholas Nixon. The Brown Sisters. 1975-Present
- Reading: 4.9 Required Readings & Additional Resources
- Discussion Prompt: 4.10 Discussion Questions
- Reading: 5.1 Introduction
- Video: 5.2 Interview with Hank Willis Thomas
- Video: 5.3 Interview with Iñaki Bonillas
- Slideshow: 5.3 Slideshow
- Reading: 5.4 Slideshow [mobile-friendly version]
- Video: 5.5 Cindy Sherman. Untitled Film Stills. 1977–80
- Video: 5.6 Carrie Mae Weems. From Here I Saw What Happened and I Cried. 1995
- Video: 5.7 Walid Raad. My neck is thinner than a hair: Engines. 1996-2001
- Video: 5.8 Thomas Demand. Room (Zimmer). 1996
- Video: 5.9 Harrell Fletcher. The American War. 2005
- Reading: 5.10 Required Readings & Additional Resources
- Discussion Prompt: 5.11 Discussion Questions
- Reading: 6.1 Introduction
- Video: 6.2 Interview with Lucas Blalock
- Video: 6.3 Interview with David Horvitz
- Video: 6.4 Interview with Anouk Kruithof
- Video: 6.5 Interview with Ilit Azoulay
- Slideshow: 6.6 Slideshow
- Reading: 6.6 Slideshow [mobile-friendly version]
- Video: 6.7 Robert Heinecken. Are You Rea. 1964-68
- Video: 6.8 Thomas Ruff. jpeg msh01. 2004
- Video: 6.9 Martha Rosler. House Beautiful (Bringing the War Home). 1967-72
- Reading: 6.10 Required Readings & Additional Resources
- Discussion Prompt: 6.11 Discussion Questions
- Reading: Funding & Credits
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.
This is a seriously interesting course. It includes a wide range of perspectives and practices in photography with a manageable coursework, and at the same time gives a wealth of information to anyone interested to get to know more about a given module or artist. If MoMA decides to offer any other similar courses, please count me in!
A great course, could have been more proactive. I would have liked the requirement for us to go out and do an outside project or research subject.
Great course, with a lot of material and references.
Coursera provides universal access to the world’s best education, partnering with top universities and organizations to offer courses online.
E
This course is extraordinary! I feel that I've found what I've been looking for a long time.