The Jewish Lens Gallery

Jewish Lens Mini Course - Lesson 4: Final Assignment

The final assignment is to create a photograph that reflects your personal connection to the Jewish People. Each photo should be accompanied by a “Photographer’s Note” – a short text (up to 50 words) that includes meaningful insights into the photograph and its Jewish connection.

Click here for examples of photos and photographers’ notes.

Criteria for Selecting Winning Photos:

Jewish Peoplehood: The ideas and concepts expressed in the photograph must address at least one of the Pillars of Jewish Peoplehood: shared historical memory, Jewish values, a multi-faceted connection to Israel, Hebrew or other Jewish languages, Jewish creativity and culture, or a Jewish way of life.

Aesthetics: The photograph, like other modes of art, must have aesthetic value and engage the observer with a curiosity to learn more. Photos must showcase some of the photographic principles the student developed during the Jewish Lens program (e.g., the rule of thirds, intentional framing, creative lighting etc.).

Creativity: The photo should fulfill the assignment in an original and meaningful way and present an original idea.  Students must employ diverse mediums and motifs that generate curiosity and feedback.

Taking inspiration from other photos is encouraged. However, be sure not to plagiarize or copy another photographer’s work or idea.

Photographer’s Note: Strong consideration is given to the photographer’s title and written description of the photo, which should evoke a response from the viewer. The narrative enhances the assignment and adds another rich layer to the work, as well as revealing the inner world of the photographer.


Suggested photography equipment: Participants can use either digital cameras or smart phones. Light editing of photos is allowed if it enhances the composition and overall aesthetic of the work.

Submitted photos should be taken with the highest resolution possible (minimum 3MB).

 

Presentation of Photographs (Optional)

Ask students to present their photographs from the final assignment to the class, explaining why they took the pictures and how they represent their connection to the Jewish People. Open the session for questions from other students and encourage discussion about the creative process and final result.

Following are some questions that the students can use to structure their presentation:

  • What did you take a photograph of and why? What is the meaning or story behind it?
  • What were you trying to communicate?
  • What can we learn from the photograph?
  • Read out the accompanying text. How does the text compliment the image?
  • What inspired you to take this image?  How does it express your Jewish story?
  • Which of the Six Pillars of Jewish Peoplehood does the photograph relate to? (It can relate to more than one).
  • What compositional aspects did you take into account when making this image?  How do these elements add to the meaning or impact of your image?

 

Local Photo Exhibit

Organizing an exhibition is an excellent opportunity for the students to share their photographs with the local community, while developing their leadership skills and initiative.

Guidelines for Local Exhibit:

  • The exhibition should be organized by the participating students. The students form a creative team, similar to authentic art exhibits, taking on positions such as curators, designers, producers, exhibition managers, educational guides, promoters, and advertisers.
  • The photos should be presented as a special exhibition at the institution, displayed in a designated space such as a meeting room, lobby, or ‘pop-up’ gallery.
  • We recommend inviting the local community to a formal opening of the exhibition, where members of the community can view the photographs, and the photographers can discuss their images with the visitors.
  • All pictures should be exhibited, one photo per student, at the same size.
  • Optional: the community (or a judging committee chosen by the school), selects three photos, based on specific guidelines (see “Criteria for Selecting Winning Photos” above), to represent their institution in the global Jewish Lens. Alternatively, you can have the participants vote for their top three pictures so that all participants are involved. (A student cannot vote for their own photograph.)

Please upload your institution’s top three photos to this link.

Please upload all participants’ photographs to Instagram and to your institution’s website and Facebook page for an online exhibition using the hashtags #JewishLens.

Thank you for taking part in this global celebration of Jewish photography and heritage! We look forward to seeing your photos along with those from teens all over the world, celebrating Jewish peoplehood and the ongoing Jewish story.