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<p>There was pile of flyer titled ‘Multicultural life at RISD’ on polished oval table in the office where we had our information session. I took it and read it, it amaze me how every photo has somewhat colored students in it. <<<<</p>
<p>My son excitedly reported the trip to his YMHA art teacher ( blonde and very pretty by the way)<<<</p>
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<p>bears and dogs, </p>
<p>I don't know if you intended this, but your post comes off a wee bit racist. There are many, many people who read this board who I believe would be offended by the bigoted tone of your posts. Colored is certainly a derogatory racial term, and describing your son's teacher as not only pretty but "blonde", seems to be reinforcing a message that white is pretty and "colored" is not, as in your first post you also mentioned that everyone you met at RISD was white and asian, and no one was "fat or ugly". As well, I am also sure that anyone who is overweight would be offended by your post referring to them as "fat". There are without a doubt many beautiful people "of color" and "overweight" people; and the groups as a whole do not need to be referred to as "fat" or "colored". </p>
<p>You may just dismiss this criticism as overblown political correctness, but please do consider the power of a word to sting. Btw, I am not a person of color or overweight, and if I was offended, I imagine anyone in one of those two cohorts would certainly be.</p>
<p>Birds and dogs notes,"Hello, Tax guy. I become somewhat fan of your guts. When I heard about Brown/RISD duel degree program, first thought it came to my mind was
“Gee, it would have been perfect for Tax guy’s daughter!’
I think I’m spending too much time on this site"</p>
<p>Response: Yes, she probably would have liked that option,which wasn't available at the time.</p>
<p>to MattsMomFL
I am sorry if my comment offended those right minded people out there.
I was just trying to state the fact those catalogues are sometimes designed to mislead us into believing something that is not true. Please refer to my MICA 08 pre-college thread.
If you can hear me out, I am not a racist, but a reverse racist: cringes to hear after lived here and experienced the event and all, changing one of 911 firefighter’s statues to minority for sake of political correctness.
About fat and ugly, it is a blanket statement and should have not said so bluntly. But I am sure people know what is what otherwise they won’t be posting interesting reply here but would have been getting upset like you are.
I mentioned ‘blonde’ because she really is, not that dark in the roots kind. It sort of reinforced everyone’s opinion; RISD students are attractive, since she was accepted but declined to attend. I did not intended to say blonde is better than redhead or anything like that.
I understand people are extremely touchy but if I were one of those people or worry about feeling of those people, I could not possibly survived here, but that is whole other story.</p>
<p>Taxguy, nice to hear from you. So then your interest is now in grad school?</p>
<p>I think maybe I read too much into what you were saying. I'm now getting the impression that perhaps English is a second language? Ifso, I realize now that your intent truly was not to offend, and maybe just something that was misconstrued in the nuances of the translation. My apologies.</p>
<p>I am sorry, too.
I came here 18 years ago and English is forever my second language. My vocabulary reference has started in To kill a Mockingbird to Gone with the wind, and Now Augusten Burroughs and that might be a problem. I am learning and trying to get better at this. Though if you didnt noticed first hand, that means I can write like everyone else in some degree and that is a reassuring thought. Thanks.</p>
<p>Are you a mom of 15year old photo girl? I think it is her school that backed up her interest, right?
My son only painted up to now but wants to try photography. Do you think he can sign up for pre college with no experience whatso ever?
How did she get good at this in how long?</p>
<p>LOL...yes, the initial reading material probably had a hand, and your writing style struck me as being filled with personality - not ESL at all until I looked back after you mentioned "surviving here". So, kudos to you! </p>
<p>Yes, my daughter is the 15 yr old photographer, and her school serendipitously offered a photography concentration that began in her freshman year - by the time she graduates she will have had 8 semesters. Their equipment is even quite impressive, and most recently bought one of those giant machines that print digital C-prints that take up an entire wall - there were a ton of these prints at Art Basel, so the kids are really excited. They're printing a few of hers for the next art festival - we'll need to convert the garage into a gallery after that :)</p>
<p>She actually got her first taste of 'photography as art' after she attended a Teen Studio at Ringling a few years ago. Your son ABSOLUTELY could take photography in precollege - in fact, concentrating in an alternative area than the intended major in these programs is highly encouraged. I guess it makes the kids seem more well-rounded? For instance, it probably would be a great thing for D to do a precollege in drawing, her weakness - but there's not a chance she'd agree to that over 6 straight weeks of just being behind the lens.</p>
<p>As to getting good fast, I think there are a couple of ingredients. One is 'having an eye', which comes naturally, and your son already has as a painter - in photography this is also known as 'composition and perspective'. The second is learning the technical aspects, which I believe can happen very fast with excellent instruction. Personally, I think her concentrating in digital helped because she could immediately see the result of an experiment, rather than having to wait for the darkroom, and then remember whatever it was she did with lighting, aperture, speed, etc later on. Third, is eventually having something to say with the art, and that depends on the creative spark in the individual, which becomes easier to access once all the technical concerns become more automatic - it was this area that D was most often told that she could improve on at NPD. And, of course the right equipment, practice, timing, opportunity all come into play. There's a lot more that goes into being a good photographer than I would have guessed at the outset. I think her headstart in high school is helping her tremendously.</p>
<p>MattsMom FL
It was most helpful. I will look into other photo threads as well.
My kid went to get recommendation letter from his high school painting teacher for pre-college application; RISD asks for a SCHOOLTEACHER, the lovery Y teacher won't do... The teacher wanted to know how much it will cost, then asked if he has a passport.
Buy a ticket, go to Italy. Dont waste money on this.</p>
<p>He will apply just the same and now considering MICAs Tuscany class, too. Catalogue is iffy and schedule is not good but it includes free Uffizi trips and such.
I figured out just now how to find old threads. I am addicted and my kid said I had no right to cancel his World of Warcraft account.
I agree with him. Try to cut down since I have learned so much.
Thank you all.</p>
<p>Yeah, if he's already a painter, photography will come somewhat naturally as far as composition goes. The technical stuff needs to be learned though, but you can do that on your own. He's going to need to learn to shoot on full manual mode, which is going to require a lot of understanding about shutter speed, aperture, ISO, white balance. All kinds of stuff.</p>
<p>Yes, Josh, your stuff is excellent. I laughed when I initially saw it, after following your link from here, because I had seen it before, and remembered being duly impressed! Are you on JPG? - I'm guessing I must have seen you before there. Ifso, what's your link so I can find you again and give you a ton of faves! </p>