PHOTOGRAPHY
I encourage my students to find a unique perspective, a personal point of view, to offer the viewer a new perspective of the world.
—Timothy Trelease, Faculty
PHOTOGRAPHY
I encourage my students to find a unique perspective, a personal point of view, to offer the viewer a new perspective of the world.
—Timothy Trelease, Faculty
Artist Profile: Jermani Maker
“Growing up in New Orleans, I was always considered a “Katrina baby.” I was only ten months old when the storm hit, so I have no first-hand recollection of the tragedy. However, I heard vivid stories from my mom, older siblings, and many people around the city. Recollections of how much the city changed, how people died, and how everyone reached an immeasurable amount of suffering and loss.”
A Matter of Perspective
The photography program at Deerfield Academy challenges students to observe and investigate, developing deeper understandings of ourselves and the world around us.
Our courses range from introductory to Advanced Placement and specialized tutorials, with content that delves deep into art history and addresses contemporary issues in photography. We explore the technical aspects of a variety of film and digital cameras, and work with processing techniques that range from nineteenth century cyanotype to twenty-first century Giclée printing. Projects are designed to teach skills in maximizing the potential of the camera while allowing students creative freedom.
Field trips are taken to diversify our source material, visiting local farms, urban landscapes, waterfalls, and greenhouses. We also take annual trips to MassMOCA, DeCordova Sculpture Park, the Yale Art Museum, NYC, and Boston.
The newly renovated photography studios are loaded with DSLRs, lenses, tripods, and advanced editing software–available to every student enrolled in photography. We have an exceptional wet darkroom with alternative processes and silverprinting.
Artist Highlight: Ephraim Tutu, Reckoning with Heritage
When I first arrived at Deerfield Academy, I could not connect with the history of the school. The slogan, “Be worthy of your heritage,” offended me. As I looked through old yearbooks, all I could see were wealthy white males. I thought to myself: what heritage do I have, and how can I be worthy of it? The truth is, the Deerfield of the past wasn’t made for me; not too long ago, more than half of the student body of 2024 wouldn’t have been allowed to attend Deerfield (Black men didn’t arrive at Deerfield until the 1960s, and females were not admitted until 1989).
I found photography to be the perfect medium for exploring my complex feelings about heritage and my sense of belonging at the Academy. I sourced photos from the school’s archives, borrowed vintage clothes from the school’s costume closet, and staged reenactments to photograph and pair with the original images. I included documentation from the barbershop I have set up in my dorm room, juxtaposed with photos from the campus barbershop of the past, which catered exclusively to the all-white clientele. The new photographs are meant to capture the strength derived from communal support between students of color and the current culture of inclusion.
By inserting a bit of myself into Deerfield’s history, and showing the way in which I am part of a new, more inclusive community, I am conveying a new message: Black students are here, we are beautiful, and we belong just as much as the students of the past. Although we weren’t a part of the original heritage, we have written ourselves into the fabric of the school in a profound way. We are now a part of the heritage.
Artist Highlight: Albert Yuk
This series involves the concept of life as a stage. I documented my photography class in action, as my classmates explored evocative locations and staged scenes with props and costumes to create art. I visited a film set in China, to capture photographs of a fictional war, then went on to Israel, to document scenes from an actual war zone.
This series of work is meant to challenge notions of believability, trust, and truthfulness in the media, through the medium of photography. Can we tell when photographs in the news have been staged or manipulated to promote a particular agenda? Are images from a film set discernable from those captured in an actual war zone? What happens when photographs from war are curated, edited, and disseminated to promote a particular point of view?
Growing up between Hong Kong, China, and America, I became aware of the veil of misinformation across cultures. Because of this, I dedicate my series to encourage the questioning of everything you see in the media.
Exhibit: Human Impact
Held in 2015, the exhibit featured acclaimed artists including Sebastião Salgado, Rachel Perry Welty, and Andrew Moore. Students interviewed the artists are became active participants in the dialogue about the impact we have on the world around us.
Artist Highlight: Adaugo Nwaokoro
In my portfolio, I attempt to portray the connections between the physical self and the spiritual and mental state of the subjects. I was initially inspired by Cindy Sherman’s work in creating multiple personas, embodying the roles herself. I was particularly drawn to the vivid colors and fabricated backgrounds in Sherman’s “Clowns” series. I wanted to explore how I could use digital photography to depict complex ideas of inner consciousness and the search for spiritual enlightenment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before they enter Deerfield, all new students are required to take a math placement test to determine an appropriate class. Students who have already taken a language they wish to continue studying at Deerfield will take a placement test to determine what level class they should take. If the placement in either department is deemed inappropriate after the student arrives, then the teacher may suggest a change of level. Students may also request such a change if they feel they are misplaced, and should consult with their teacher and their academic advisor before contacting the Dean of Studies.
Students have a variety of opportunities to travel abroad through the Center for Service and Global Citizenship travel programs that run domestic and international trips during school breaks.
Study abroad and term-away opportunities are available to students through approved, partnered-programs. Study abroad is available in 10th through 12th grade, but typically students who choose to go abroad will do so during their junior year. Read more about off-campus study opportunities online here.
Yes. In order to garner Honors distinction a student must have a cumulative term average above 90.0%. High Honors requires an average of 93.0% or above. You can read more about Deerfield’s honor roll online here.
Because of its commitment to high-quality academics, Deerfield offers a wide range of rigorous courses. All of Deerfield’s classes are appropriately challenging, but courses designated as “honors,” “accelerated,” or “AP” provide an extra challenge for ambitious students.
All students are assigned a faculty advisor by late summer before they start school. After their first year, students may choose a new advisor, or continue with their original advisor, depending on the relationships they have developed with Deerfield’s faculty. Advisors are responsible for submitting course requests and writing an advisor report every term. They are available for questions a student may have and are involved in every major academic, co-or extra-curricular decision a student makes while at Deerfield. In addition, faculty eat lunch with their advisees every Thursday and may schedule other meetings for their advisees. Advisors are a key component of the Deerfield experience, as they provide guidance and support to students throughout their time at Deerfield.
Students are permitted to miss a maximum of eight (8) combined class days for Pursuits of Excellence, College Visits or other reasons each academic year (no more than 6 days missed per term). Exceptions to the eight-day limit must be approved through the Academic Affairs Office. Requests must be received at least three (3) days prior to the event. Any student requesting to miss class should make sure they are aware of the 20% Rule policy (found in the Student Handbook under the 20% Rule), and, if their request is approved, students should be sure to inform their teacher(s) of their upcoming absence(s) and arrange to make up missed work. Please click here to read more about our Request to Miss Classes Policy.
Alums and current students can request their Deerfield transcript online via our secure credentialing site, Parchment. More information on how to create a Parchment account and order your transcript can be found online here. If you have questions, please contact the Academic Affairs Office at 413-774-1470 or academics@deerfield.edu.
Contact Academics
academics@deerfield.edu
413-774-1470
Fax 413-772-1128
Boyden Library
Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm
7 Boyden Lane, PO Box 87
Deerfield, MA 01342