University students launch new photographic publication

A group of student photographers and designers announced the launch of The Optic – a new campus publication – in an Instagram post on February 3. It was founded to serve as the University’s only magazine dedicated to photography.

Founders Mason Lane Rudnick ’25 and Natasha Joukowsky ’22 said they decided to start the magazine after realizing there was a void in on-campus opportunities for student photographers.

“Coming (to Brown) this fall, I was shocked not to find something like this because I immediately found so many talented people, whether they were photographers or just artists in general,” Rudnick said. . “It felt like something was definitely missing.”

Rudnick met Joukowsky at a Russian court-themed party, where she noticed Joukowsky taking photos of the attendees and wanted to meet her. “It was really inspiring to see someone capture everything that was going on,” Rudnick said.

Joukowsky started using film photography just over a year ago, she said. “A friend of mine gave me a camera as a Christmas present and said, ‘You should take pictures’…so I decided to be all my friends’ personal photographer, and that’s it. was so much fun. ”

Rudnick made a similar foray into the world of photography. After taking a few photography classes in high school, she began experimenting with the medium by coming up with concept shots using her friends as models.

When Rudnick realized she wanted to start her own publication, she knew she wanted to ask like-minded Joukowsky for help.

As a senior, “she understands the dynamic of Brown (as) I’m coming into freshman year,” Rudnick said.

After a few meetings, the two assembled a team of interested creative students and launched a website with an initial selection of photographs. Among the works currently available on their website are photographs of Rudnick and Joukowsky, including those that Joukowsky took during the evening at the Russian court.

Also included are photographs by Annabel Zimmer ’24, whose “Savior” series was released as The Optic’s official feature debut.

Zimmer joined The Optic after being approached by Rudnick and Joukowsky.

“When they told me about it, I was ecstatic,” Zimmer wrote in an email to the Herald. “Sometimes it’s easy to get lost in (Brown). The role of The Optic should be to shine a light on artists and, in turn, to connect like-minded people.

Now Rudnick, Joukowsky and the rest of the team are working with the Undergraduate Student Council to become an official club, and they’ve released an interest form for students who want to submit photos or join the staff of the publication.

The founders also noted that they hope to expand The Optic’s platform beyond its website by hosting events and photo exhibits later in the semester, and they would like to offer student photographers the opportunity to sell draws and network with industry professionals.

“What’s great about what we’re starting now is that it’s not limiting,” Joukowsky said. “We try to attract the best of the best…because we know they’re out there and we want people with visions and creativity. Just having (their) point of view is extremely important to us.