Eric Kunsman Headshot

Eric Kunsman

Assistant Professor

Department of Visual Communications Studies
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
etknai@rit.edu
585-475-7738
Office Location
GAN-2244

Eric Kunsman

Assistant Professor

Department of Visual Communications Studies
National Technical Institute for the Deaf

Education

BFA, BS, MS, Rochester Institute of Technology; MFA, University of the Arts

Bio

Eric T. Kunsman (b. 1975) was born and raised in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. While in high school, he was heavily influenced by the death of the steel industry and its place in American history. The exposure to the work of Walker Evans during this time hooked Eric onto photography. Eric had the privilege to study under Lou Draper, who became Eric’s most formative mentor. He credits Lou with influencing his approach as an educator, photographer, and contributing human being.

Read More
Personal Links
(opens in a new window)
(opens in a new window)
(opens in a new window)

Select Scholarship

Shows/Exhibits/Installations
Kunsman, Eric T. Life-Lines Throughout the United States. 16 Jan. 2024. Maguire Art Museum, St. Joesph University, Philadeplhia, PA. Exhibit.
Kunsman, Eric T. Brotherly Lens: A Portrait of Philadelphia. 6 Sep. 2024. InLiquid Gallery, Philadelphia, PA. Exhibit.
Kunsman, Eric T. Interlines, Lifelines, Redlines: Social Markers of Race, Class & Economics. 19 Oct. 2023. Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts, Providence, RI. Exhibit.
Book Chapter
Kunsman, Eric T. "Foreword." Phonogenic. Rochester, NY: Booksmart Studio, 2024. 11-13. Print.
Salvagio, Nanette L. and Josh Shagam. "Chapter 16 - Printing & Physical Media." Basic Photographic Materials and Processes. New York, NY: Focal Press, 2019. 323-349. Print.
Magazine, Dodho. "Felicific Calculus: Technology as a Social Marker of Race, Class, & Economics in Rochester, NY." Best Black & White Photographers of the year 2019. Barcelona, Spain, Spain: Dodho Magazine, 2019. unknown as I don't have a copy. Print.
Invited Keynote/Presentation
Kunsman, Eric T. "Life-Lines Throughout the United States." Maguire Art Museum Exhibition. St Joseph University. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 26 Feb. 2024. Lecture.
Kunsman, Eric T. "Fine Digital Print Workflow applications from and beyond the classroom." Lecture/Workshop. Society for Photographic Education (SPE). Rochester, New York. 17 Jul. 2024. Lecture.
Kunsman, Eric T. "Both Sides of the Table: Photography Portfolio Reviews Do's & Don'ts." Workshop. Los Angeles Center for Photography (LACP). Los Angeles, CA. 7 Sep. 2024. Lecture.
External Scholarly Fellowships/National Review Committee
8/1/2024 -9/1/2024
     New York Foundation for the Arts
     Amount: 8,000
4/9/2023 -4/14/2023
     University of Wisconsin, River Falls, WI
     Amount: 5,000
7/9/2023 -8/15/2023
     Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts
     Amount: 600
Full Length Book
Kunsman, Eric T. and Debe Arlook. Both Sides of the Table: Photography Portfolio Reviews Do's & Don'ts. 1st ed. Rochester, NY: RIT Press, 2024. Print.
Kunsman, Eric T. Felicific Calculus: Technology as a Social Marker of Race, Class, & Economics in Rochester, NY. 1st- ISBN 978-1-939026-16-3 ed. Buffalo, New York: CEPA Gallery & Booksmart Studio, 2021. Print.
Kunsman, Eric T. "Fake News: A Historical Archive of the Donald J. Trump Presidency, Volume 1." 1st- ISBN 9787-1-939026-24-8 ed. Rochester, United States: Booksmart Studio, 2020. Print.
National/International Competition Award Winner
Kunsman, Eric T. Association of Photography. AOP Open Awards- Finalist. London, UK, 2024.
Kunsman, Eric T. SPIVA Center for the Arts. 1st place, PhotoSPIVA. Jolpin, Missouri, 2024.
Kunsman, Eric T. Dodho Magazine. Best Image, Monochromatic Awards 2023. Barcelona, Spain, 2023.
Invited Article/Publication
Kunsman, Eric T. "TIME TRAVEL." Shots Magazine, No. 164 - Fall Issue 2024. (2024). Print.
Kunsman, Eric T. "Life-Lines Throughout the United States." Dodho Magazine. (2024). Print.
Kunsman, Eric T. "Life-Lines Throughout the United States, ISBN 978-1-71-538149-3." AAP Magazine, Issue #33. (2023). Print.
Museum Collection Acquisition
Kunsman, Eric T. Life-Lines Throughout the United States Portfolio. Archival Pigment prints, Lucia Print on Fab-Tac. Maguire Art Museum, St Joseph University. (2024).
Kunsman, Eric T. "Felicific Calculus: Technology as a Social Marker of Race, Class, & Economics in Rochester, NY." Archival Pigment prints, Lucia Print on Fab-Tac. Czong Institute for Contemporary Art, CICA Museum, Gimpo, South Korea. (2023).
Kunsman, Eric T. "Felicific Calculus: Technology as a Social Marker of Race, Class, & Economics in Rochester, NY." Archival Pigment prints, Lucia Print on Fab-Tac. Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, IN. (2023).
Manuscripts Submitted for Publication
Kunsman, Eric T. and Debe Arlook. "Both Sides of the Table: Photography Portfolio Reviews Do’s & Dont’s (Before, During and After)." 15 Jun. 2023. TS - typescript (typed).
Internal Reports/Manuscripts/Articles
Kunsman, Eric T. "Real Photo Show- Felicific Calculus" Newark: Real Photo Show, In Press. Web. https://www.realphotoshow.com/eric-kunsman-felicific-calculus/
Kunsman, Eric T. "Felicific Calculus: Technology as a Social Marker of Race, Class, & Economics in Rochester, NY" Washington DC: AARP, In Press. Web.
Burnstine, Susan. "Black+White Magazine (UK) Issue 266- American Connection; Eric T. Kunsman, By Susan Burnstine" [Black+White Magazine (UK)]. London, UK: Black+White Magazine (UK) Issue 266, In Press. Print. https://www.blackandwhitephotographymag.co.uk/magazine/blackwhite-photography-issue-266-out-now/
Journal Paper
Kunsman, Eric T. "Felicific Calculus." Loupe Sustainability. 13 (2022): 14-27. Print.
Kunsman, Eric T. "Eric Kunsman, Felicific Calculus." Analog Explorations, Point A to Point B Winter 2021/2022. 2 (2021): 4-11. Print.
Grants
Kunsman, Eric T. (2022-2022). Provost Lecturer Professional Development Grant– Rochester Institute of Technology. Grant received/funded by Provost Lecturer Professional Development Grant, RIT.
Kunsman, Eric T. (2021-2021). Andy Warhol Foundation Grant. Grant received/funded by CEPA Gallery Exhibition, Andy Warhol Foundation.
Kunsman, Eric T (2019-2019). Attending Photolucida 2019. Grant received/funded by Provost Lecturers Grant, Rochester Institute of Technology.
Published Review
Spevak, Jeff. "1400 Days of "Fake News' and Counting." Rev. of Fake News: A Historical Archive of the Donald J. Trump Presidency, by Eric Kunsman. City: News Arts Life 1 Oct. 2020: 28-30. Print.
Kirchoff, Michael. "Interview: Eric Kunsman." Rev. of Eric Kunsman, ed. Michael Kirchoff. Catalyst: Interviews 2 Feb. 2020: https://www.catalystinterviews.com/interviews/2020/2/12/eric-kunsman. Web.
Kallianiotis, Niko J. "“FELICIFIC CALCULUS” BY ERIC T. KUNSMAN." Rev. of Felicific Calculus: Technology as a Social Marker of Race, Class, & Economics in Rochester, NY, by Niko J. Kallianiotis. From America With Love 22 Apr. 2020: https://www.fromamericawithlove.com/spotlight#/kunsman/. Web.

Currently Teaching

IMSM-302
Color Management Technology
3 Credits
This course, primarily designed for photographers, will provide students with hands on experience using software and hardware fundamental to contemporary practices in the imaging industry. It has been designed to expose students to a managed color workflow beginning at capture and culminating in output. The course will explore standard color instruments and give the essential knowledge and skills required to solve problems prevalent in the photographic field. Critical problem solving of accurate color reproduction across media will be investigated.
NAIS-292
Portfolio Workshop
3 Credits
This course will give students from all areas of study in the Visual Communications Studies Department an opportunity to prepare and submit portfolios of their work for final review by a jury composed of department faculty members and professionals. The course will emphasize professional procedures, work habits, and demonstration of creative and technical skills, depending on the students' areas of expertise, as well as appropriate communication with clients, presentation techniques, and ability to work as a fully contributing member of a team.
PHFA-562
The Fine Print Workflow
3 Credits
This course will discuss the latest advances in digital workflow, best practices and output technology. The emphasis will be on the creation of an optimal and efficient fine art print workflow with reproducible results. This will be achieved through the integration of the various software tools and technology at our disposal. Using these techniques, we will build optimized files and craft final, exhibition quality prints. The course content will cover various substrate options along with archival concerns and finishing. This course is intended to build on and update skills learned in previous photographic foundation courses.
PHGR-661
Digital Bootcamp
1 Credits
This course introduces graduate students to file management and non-destructive editing of photographs. Course content will cover best practices working with appropriate digital imaging software. At the completion of the course, students will understand how to create their own digital asset management library and prepare files for output for print.
PHGR-662
Fine Print Workflow
3 Credits
This course will discuss the latest advances in digital workflow, best practices and output technology. Course content will emphasize the creation of an optimal and efficient fine art print workflow with repeatable results through the integration of various software and technological tools. Lectures will cover various substrate options along with archival issues and finishing. At the completion of this course, students will build optimized files and produce exhibition quality prints.

In the News