Reviving the Photo Studio
Olin College - 2013/2014
Photo Studio Manager
THE PROBLEM
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The campus photography studio at a project-based engineering college became defunct as students started using their phones to take photos of their work
THE SOLUTION
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I shadowed various classes to observe, survey, and interview students and faculty to learn their needs and obstacles
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I constructed tutorials and quick-start guide posters to produce professional photos in less than 5 minutes
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I conducted trainings and held office hours to provide 1-on-1 support and identify additional educational gaps
THE CLUES
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Students did not appreciate the quality difference between a phone camera and a professional DSLR with studio lights
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Students did not value professional documentation until they started looking for jobs
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Students were confused and intimidated by the studio equipment
THE AFTERMATH
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Student were able to independently capture high quality, professional photos of their projects for presentations and portfolios
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Given their increased comfort with the equipment, many student also used the studio for headshots and the cameras for failure analysis and recreational photography
Tools: DSLR Cameras, Strobe Lights, Tripods, Camera Lens, Softboxes and Umbrellas, Lighting Films, Flash Triggers, Lighting Diagrams, Poster Printer
Techniques: Space Design, Instructional Material Design, Tutorial Running, On-Call Assistance