Photojournalism and Truth
Letizia Battaglia’s gaze, all the way to an exhibition
The programme introduces photojournalism as a language of civic testimony, starting from the history of the genre and reference figures such as Oliviero Toscani and Nan Goldin, and arriving at Letizia Battaglia's work on mafia brutality in southern Italy. It then moves to the basic technical grammar — composition, light, choice of instrument — calibrated on what the students actually have available. Theory turns into practice with a field shoot, followed by independent production.
- School level
- Upper secondary school
- Age
- 16-19 years old
- Structure
- 14 hours · 3 sessions
The programme
History, language and testimony
4hHistory of photojournalism as civic testimony and guided discussion on ethics and empathy.
Photographic technique
3hComposition, light and choice of instrument, calibrated on what students have available.
Field shoot
4hField shoot in small groups, with an accompanying teacher designated by the institute.
Independent production
~6/7hProduction and first selection by the students, with no fixed schedule.
Curating and exhibiting
7hSelection, editing, mounting of the exhibition and public presentation day.
The outcome
A physical exhibition, with a dedicated day in which the students present their own work to families, the school community and the wider area.
For the school
- Fourteen hours are spent in person with the trainer; with the field shoot and independent production the programme amounts to about twenty-five hours.
- The field shoot is carried out with a teacher designated by the institute as accompanying adult; the trainer's presence is available as a separate option.
- Shooting is done with the instrument available to the students: smartphone, film camera or reflex.
- The programme is also designed to be framed as school-to-work training (FSL, formerly PCTO). In that case we provide the documentation needed for reporting: attendance register, an assessment sheet of the competences reached, and a certificate of participation.
Bringing this programme to your school
This page can be shared with the school leadership without sending the whole catalogue. A twenty-minute conversation defines the calendar, the number of sessions and the adjustments the institute’s context requires.