Photography is about exploration. This past summer, Sara Anjargolian and I had the opportunity to teach a documentary photography workshop to teenagers at Tumo. Our primary concern was to create a process that allowed students to explore and develop their own personal approach to photography and also to enable them to create a cohesive, meaningful and personal body of work.

Our class first looked at work of other contemporary photographers to get an idea of what is a good photograph and how one can develop their own photographic approach. Then students conceived their projects and worked in groups and individually to create images.

They took cameras to the streets, into their homes, pointed them at their friends and amassed hundreds of photos. Using professional photography editing tools, students then edited their photos down to a select few. A group editing session singled out the final images. And, finally, as a group as well as individual effort, each student conceived of a layout and way to hang their photos in an exhibit a Tumo.

We were very impressed, first of all, with the enthusiasm and intensity of all our students. But also, as can be seen in theirimages, their great creativity and individuality. No two projects are alike here. There are family portraits, and portraits of men laughing, there is architecture, animals, crumbling building and serenely dressed musicians, there is a series of clouds at night, there is urban decay, trash, and moments of ambiguity and urban color. There is here, then, a diverse set of images that are at once personal and meaningful—an intimate portrait of how youth see themselves and the city in which they live.

A total of eighteen students were in our class and we will be publishing their work as a series in hetq in the coming weeks and moths. The images that will be on view here are their photos and truly represent cohesive, meaningful and personal bodies of work.

Look at them closely. They will surprise you.

Ara Oshagan and Sara Anjargolian, 2012

Hetq is now displaying the works of school children who have participated in the project.

Mariam Abrahamyan – Man and Nature

Yerevan, 16 years-old, N 46 Senior School

“With these photos I have attempted to show man’s outlook regarding nature; the link between man and nature. I see this as a very important theme since we all know how man’s actions can impact nature. With this photo series I have tried to demonstrate that the opposite phenomenon also exists. While photographing, I notices an unusual thing. Those involved in nature possess a more beautiful inner world. They were more willing to be photographed and didn't make a fuss.”