Photographic Memos for Art Department
NEIRAD enilno edition
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The art department had a teacher development day and the teachers selected to learn about photography and with Ben and Trudie Larrabee as their instructors their lesson went beyond the technical part of art.
This training in late August was led by Mr. Larrabee who graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design and Yale University for graphic design. Inspired by one of his teachers Mr. Larrabee elected to make a change and follow his passion to become a professional photographer. Mr. Larrabee said the inspiration of his teacher made him want to “follow a dream” he at first felt he couldn’t make a living from.
Mr. and Mrs. Larrabee conducted a photo workshop at the DHS that demonstrated how photos are about “capturing the moment and making it personal.”
The first step involved taking the teachers out of the school building to a farm in Darien to snap photos of horses.
“The horses were great because they were so dynamic and our message of capturing the moment was easy to demonstrate,” Mrs. Larrabee said.
Her husband added that it taught teachers “not to force the action.” Mr. Larrabee shared how giving students’ creative freedom inspires them to take not just, “good pictures but great pictures.” He said "greatness can come from instinct."
Art teacher Ms. Dana Larsen said that she learned new approaches to photograph her subjects and how to use angles more effectively to better capture a message.
“It was a great way extend our creativity and the setting (the farm) made it spontaneous,” Ms Larsen said.
Both the art teachers and the Larrabees said the development day was a success. “It was great to share what we know and have it passed down to students.”
Mr. Larrabee believes art is about “reflecting back to a special relationship. If you can find a connection with the work then it comes easy.”
The Larrabees were happy to give back to the community and hope their teaching will make teachers connect with the students, and thus inspire a new generation of artists at DHS.
If you’re interested in checking out the Larrabees' work stop by Cobble Court Interiors at 13 South Avenue in New Canaan.
Mr. and Mrs. Larrabee have been looking for an intern who is interested in art and business to work for them to help and learn about art business.
