Realize that this is a rare opportunity. Most photojournalists don’t get to do this type of storytelling.
Requirements:
The project options:
Shoot an in depth picture story with just stills. You could also include audio recording.
Shoot an in depth video.
You could shoot video and incorporate stills from the project that you shot.
Write at least a 500 word story.
If you use music, make sure it is non commercial and does not sway the audience to emotional extremes.
The amount of photos and the length of video is up to you. I suggest working toward 4 minutes or more for video and 12 photos or more for still photos.
Post your final project on your online portfolio (if it is strong enough) and your blog.
Choose a topic that you have passion for within the topic of “What is Community in America during this polarized time?” You can be literal or non-literal. The sky is the limit as long as you can articulate how and why your project fits the definition of “Community.” Choose your final project idea from one of the topics below or choose your own idea with my permission:
◦ CMU – on campus
◦ CMU – off campus
◦ Athletic team
◦ Gender identity
◦ ROTC
◦ Medicine
◦ Academics
◦ Love
◦ Rural
◦ Faith
◦ Addiction
◦ Agriculture
◦ Poverty
◦ Death – Loss
◦ Illness
◦ Music
◦ Wealth
◦ Incarcerated; contact Ed Hinck
◦ Virtual communities
Timetable:
- Blog your proposal by September 30, 2025 before class. Upload.
- 10% is due on November 11, 2025.
- 25% is due November 18, 2025.
- 50% is due November 25, 2025.
- 75% is due December 2, 2025.
- 100% is Due Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 7p.m.-8:50p.m. (final exam time).
Worth 300 points.
Late projects will not be accepted
FINAL PROJECT PROPOSAL GUIDE
The proposal is written to convince your instructor (or future employer) that you can produce a project with impact and significance.
Write a working title, this will help you keep focused while working on your project.
1) WORKING HYPOTHESIS and INTERPRETATION
What are your persuasions about the world you are going to show? Write a “credo” statement that you want to emerge out of your project. Incorporate this wording:
In life I believe that…
My project will show this in action by exploring…
Ultimately I want the audience to feel — and understand that —
Provide the who, what, where, why and how.
2) TOPIC
Write a concise paragraph about:
a) The subject of your project.
b) The necessary background information the audience will need to understand and be interested in the ‘world’ you will present. Address how this information will emerge.
3) ACTION
Write a brief paragraph of the activity you will record or photograph. An activity is what occurs in one location, at one specific time.
Incorporate the following:
a) what are the activities.
c) the expected structure of events.
d) how the activity may contribute to the whole project.
4) MAIN SUBJECT(S)
Write a brief paragraph about each of your main subjects. For each include:
a) who (name, relationship to others, etc).
b) where (where does this person belong in the scheme of things).
c) what (what is the subject’s role, what makes the subject interesting, significant?
what is the subject trying to do or get at?
5) CAMERA INTERVIEWS
For each interview list:
a) name, role in project.
b) main elements your interview will seek to establish.
6) STRUCTURE
Write a brief paragraph on how you hope to structure your project. Consider:
a) how you will handle the progression of time in the piece.
b) how you will portray the beginning, middle and end.
7) LOGISTICS
Shooting schedule.
8) RESOLUTION
Write a paragraph about how you imagine your piece will impact your viewers.
Below is Nico Mendoza’s project “How Color Paints Our World” showing you the step-by-step evolution of the project:
Final project (YouTube, website for class, and personal website).
Proposal:
Check in progress 1:
Check in progress 2:
Final:
Personal website:
https://www.nicoaurelio.com/how-color-paints-our-world
Here are two more examples:
Synthetic Love Proposal
https://ashleynmiller.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/final-project-proposal/
Synthetic Love Video
https://vimeo.com/41258853
Livin’ on Love stills:
https://www.seanproctorphoto.com/livin-on-love
Livin’ on Love Video
https://vimeo.com/23258589
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