Very Uncomfortable Situation

[envisionary333]

As I've said, I'm a very liberal person and I have no problem with nudity. I also am not at all concerned about "awkward" situations with people I know. I don't know anyone who is a non-photo student to do this assignment with, and I'm not willing to take the risk of posting an ad and taking whoever happens to agree to it.

I've been talking with my parents for a long time and I've decided that I'm going to go to the dean no matter what happens in my meeting with my teacher. I'm going to request that he keep the meeting anonymous, but I do think it's important that he is aware of what is going on. My teacher has displayed other questionable behavior that is factoring in to my decision- frequent mentioning of porn and sexuality in class, gossiping and bad-mouthing other students outside of class, and showing a sexually-oriented video of himself in class to Nine Inch Nail's "Closer" song in which clips of him (clothed), porn sequences, and movies where mixed in together. The class was stunned and completely speechless after we saw it, it was entirely inappropriate. I feel like this teacher has crossed the line more than once.

 

[piggiesinpa]

I think you are making a good decision. Good luck and keep us posted. I am happy you are defending yourself and letting your voice be heard. Many people will sometimes ignore how they truly feel about things just to avoid ruffling feathers.

I'm a huge NIN fan and while this is beside the point, I shake my head at his interpretation of the song. I think Trent had it covered the first time.

 

[cavyinhawaii]

Glad you decided to go to the Dean. Wow the details of your last post is just frightening. That teacher seems to be acting very inapproprately in and outside of class. Is he the only photography teacher?

 

[envisionary333]

No, I go to a very large school and there are many photo teachers. However, he is the head of the Fine Art Photo department. In fact, he just became the head of the department this month. That is why I have to go to the Dean to discuss the matter. I don't want to paint the wrong picture of him because he is a very good teacher in many ways, but I think he has some personal issues perhaps relating to his sexual orientation that he is bringing into the classroom. He definitely crosses the line on what's professional and what's not, he acts as if we are his friends and frat buddies rather than students. It's nice to relate to a teacher, but there is a point where it's going to far.

 

[HowietheGreat]

I heard recently that a teacher was fired for teaching his vegan views in a art class (young children) and then telling them not to tell their parents. There is a proffesional line that shouldn't be crossed and it sounds like your teacher too, has crossed them. The video you decribed just sounds disturbing. When is too much too much? I think when you began teaching outside the subject matter. Is porn really within the teaching guidelines??? I am liberal minded and even I would be offended by that. He is putting you in a situation that is not safe and that is unacceptable. Even if he is great teacher 70% of the time, he still needs to be responsible for the other 30%. I would say go to the Dean and bring up the video too.

 

[ortal]

Please let us know how it goes. I really feel for you, I have been following this post, but most of my opinions have been expressed already. Noone can 'blackmail' you with a bad grade to get nude photos. Esentially thats what it is.

Remember in high school we could (or I think most schools do this) opt out of dissecting animals? It's the same type of things. We should have a choice.

 

[ortal]

No one else in the class complained,

You don't know for sure, people might be scared to complain, just like you are/were.

 

[deathnotronic]

I'm a third-year student in school for Fine Art Photography, and I just recently was assigned the first and only assignment that I am truly dreading. My teacher is requiring that we do nude photos, or else take an F for the project. I have to choose two options out of the following four choices, and at least one of my photos needs to be non-abstract so you can tell exactly what you're looking at:

Photograph someone of the opposite sex naked.
Photograph yourself naked.
Have someone else photograph you naked.
Photograph yourself or someone else naked outdoors.

Wow. Not fun. I mean, I'm able to deal with photographing myself naked, but it's the ones that involve other people that I have a problem with. Oh, and we're required to work with someone of the opposite sex who is not a photo student. I have no close friends at school, and my best friend and I had a falling out recently when she moved out on really short notice. Not only that, but the only friends I do have are photo students. I am not at all willing to meet up with some random stranger and get naked, sorry. It's not only awkward and embarrassing, but dangerous. Our city has a very high crime rate, and I am a young girl living alone. I'm not sure what to do. I have friends and family members, but they are all on the other side of the country in my hometown. Some lucky students have family members within driving distance so they get to cheat, but I have no one.

Anyway, I guess I just needed to talk about this. I'm extremely nervous about what to do, and I hate to take an "F." I'm a very good, hardworking student and I know I will get an "A" except for this one assignment. What do you guys think, should I just not do it?

You said you had to choose two of the four, couldn't it be possible to just do the two of yourself? I'm a 3rd year photography student as well so I completely understand where your coming from. If I were you, I would just lie and have another photography student work with me on the nudes of myself. But I'm a bad kid, so it might not work.

But yeah, good luck with your meeting. I'm sure he'll understand and tweak the assignment for you.

 

[i-love-nev]

I WOULD NOT! have someone in to your home and photograph you naked, its not safe youde be putting yourself in danger!

 

[Love4Piggers]

I think you are definately making the right decision, especially after reading your latest post about the other innapropriate things he's done in class, that is scary! I stand behind you, and hope that the end result is a positive one. Please keep us updated.

 

[envisionary333]

You said you had to choose two of the four, couldn't it be possible to just do the two of yourself? I'm a 3rd year photography student as well so I completely understand where your coming from. If I were you, I would just lie and have another photography student work with me on the nudes of myself. But I'm a bad kid, so it might not work.

Although we are to choose two of the four options, he also requires that there is a photo of a female and a photo of a male. In other words, you must have someone of the opposite sex (non-photo student), and either yourself or another person of the same sex. Although I could lie and say that I had a male photograph me nude when there actually wasn't another person there at all, it is against my morale as a student to do so. I think this assignment is inappropriate and I need to stand up for myself and the other students. It's been really hard to come to this conclusion, but I know I'm doing the right thing.

 

[i-love-nev]

Never hurts to tell a wee little white lie he he. I wouldnt care about lying ide rather be safe then sorry!

 

[piggiesinpa]

But it's against her moral standards, especially since she is paying to take this class and depending on it to help her with her photography in the future. If she lies she is cheating herself out of the education that is supposed to come with performing the assignment.
While the assignment could have been an excellent one without all the additional guidelines, he is obviously taking it a little to far without considering problems the students may have with this as far as safety and the like is concerned.

 

[MissCin]

Never hurts to tell a wee little white lie he he. I wouldnt care about lying ide rather be safe then sorry!

I don't think lying would be good. The best thing to do would be talk to the teacher and or the dean.

 

[linda_chicha]

Hey! What is the update with the dean? Have you talked to him yet?

 

[envisionary333]

I have an appointment with the dean on Thursday morning. I had an appointment with my teacher today, but unfortunately I could not make it as I've been sick with a mild flu this past week. I've been staying home and resting, and I intend to make my appointment on Thursday. I did email my teacher explaining my feelings on the topic, but he has not responded, so I'm still very unsure of what will come of this.

 

[envisionary333]

Well, my meeting with the dean is in just a couple of hours. I've got the original assignment sheet, my dad's objection letter, and all my dated email correspondence prepared and I hope everything goes well. I'm unbelievably nervous, I've always been one to avoid confrontation and to top it all off, I've had a terrible week, I haven't gotten any sleep, and am getting over the flu. I really hope this goes smoothly. Wish me luck.

 

[^dawn^]

Good Luck I hope it all goes well.

You're doing the right thing! And even if they haven't said much, I'm sure your classmates will thank you!

 

[wickedrodent]

Good luck! =)