Recording the talks
Supporting lecture filming, including a second-camera setup requested by Linda Connor. The video workflow brought together two camera angles and separately recorded audio.
Volunteer contribution · San Francisco
PhotoAlliance
Lecture video, events
and artist conversations.
At SFAI, Alex supported PhotoAlliance’s public lecture programme through event work, filming, video editing and archiving. The role also brought time to meet and speak with visiting artists before the talks.
RoleVolunteerPeriodSeptember 2021–February 2022SettingSan Francisco Art Institute
The work behind the programme
From the room to the recording.
Editing & archiving
Organizing footage, sound and presentation materials for lecture edits. The surviving work notes trace preparation and multicamera editing for the September and October 2021 sessions.
Events & conversations
Helping with PhotoAlliance events and meeting visiting artists at the gatherings before the talks. These conversations were part of the experience of volunteering, alongside the technical work.
Alongside the video work, volunteering gave Alex time to meet and talk with visiting artists before their lectures. Explore the speakers and talks from that period.
Shimon Attie15 September 2021Lecture video work
Yesica Prado15 September 2021Lecture video work
Stephanie Syjuco8 October 2021Lecture video work
Chris Manfield8 October 2021Lecture video work
Mimi Plumb12 November 2021Autumn lecture programme
Dennis Hearne12 November 2021Autumn lecture programme
Ken Light3 December 2021Autumn lecture programme
Jessica Chen3 December 2021Autumn lecture programme
Arko Datto23 January 2022Online programme · Zoom
Ron Moultrie Saunders18 February 2022Spring lecture programme
Felix Quintana18 February 2022Spring lecture programmeDates identify the talks, not dates of personal meetings. “Lecture video work” marks the sessions in Alex’s editing records. Later entries show the programme during his volunteer period; individual conversations with every listed speaker are not established. Arko Datto’s talk took place online.
Personal recognition · 13 May 2022
PhotoAlliance Award
San Francisco Art Institute presented the PhotoAlliance Award to Alex El Dahdah. Alex identifies his volunteer work on events and lecture videos as the basis of the recognition.
The organization & the setting
An independent photography community at SFAI.
Founded by Linda Connor in 2002, PhotoAlliance brings artists and audiences together through lectures, workshops and portfolio exchange. SFAI’s archived website dates the partnership between the two institutions to the same year.
PhotoAlliance describes a longstanding tradition of meals before lectures. Alex recalls meeting and speaking with visiting artists at pre-talk gatherings, including Shimon Attie.
Sources & context
The volunteer contribution and conversations are described from Alex’s experience, alongside correspondence and working records. The editing notes document work in progress; they do not establish final delivery of every lecture video. Official programmes identify speakers and dates. The SFAI certificate confirms the award, recipient and date; the institution’s full award citation and selection procedure remain unlocated.