A beginning high school photography class is crucial for students interested in photography as it provides technical skills, allows for creative expression, and teaches composition and lighting. It also helps students appreciate the art and its role in the world.
Strange Angles
This is a gallery that showcases the world from unconventional viewpoints. Our high school photographers have embraced a fresh perspective, challenging themselves to see the familiar in unfamiliar ways. From the towering presence of our campus water tower framed against the sky to the quiet corner of a stairwell, every image is a deliberate shift from the norm. The collection plays with the geometry of architecture, the dance of light and shadow, and the unexpected beauty that lies in daily sights when seen from a new angle. The photographers invite you to look up, down, and all around, finding the extraordinary in the mundane and revealing a campus full of hidden visual treasures. With each photo, we encourage you to consider the power of perspective and the visual stories that unfold when we venture beyond the usual vantage points.
Alphabetography: Spelling with Images
turns the campus into a creative canvas where students find and photograph natural or architectural elements that resemble letters. The challenge? To spell their names with these images. This collection showcases the results: from the curves of a bike rack forming an 'S' to the edges of a leaf making a 'J.' Students honed their skills in composition and editing to make each letter stand out. The project didn’t just teach photography—it encouraged a new way of looking at our everyday surroundings. Each piece here tells a tale of patience and perception, and the final compositions reveal a personal touch to the alphabetic adventure.
Light Painting
Welcome to our light painting photo collection—where we've transformed flashlights into paintbrushes and the night sky into our canvas. Each image is a snapshot of a daring experiment by our high school photographers, who have taken the first steps into this vibrant art form. It wasn’t easy, but as you can see, we had some great successes. From glowing hearts to names written with beams of light, these photos are our proud display of persistence and creativity. Dive in and see what we managed to create when we mixed a little patience with a lot of fun and a dash of light.
Details
Within the frames of these images lies a world often unnoticed, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary through the lens of attention to detail. Each photograph is a portal to a microcosm where droplets mimic pearls on verdant leaves, and the human eye becomes a reflective pool of the soul. An almond rests solitary on the gravel, a testament to the serenity found in solitude, while a paper crane lurks in the shadows, a silent ode to creativity and fragility. These captured moments are an invitation to pause and ponder, to delve into the subtle intricacies that whisper the poetry of the mundane. This gallery is not just a collection of images; it is a celebration of the overlooked, a carefully curated exhibition of the minute splendors that beckon for your gaze. Step closer, look deeper, and prepare to be enthralled by the quiet magnificence of the details that stitch the fabric of the everyday. Click to unveil the hidden artistry that awaits in the gallery of minutiae.
Panning
Step into the dynamic world where motion breathes life into every frame. This gallery is an homage to the panning technique, a photographic symphony that blends movement with a moment frozen in time. Witness the seamless dance of cyclists in motion, their wheels almost humming against the pavement, and dogs caught mid-stride, their joyous energy palpable. Each image is a study in controlled fluidity, with backgrounds transformed into artistic streaks that echo the subjects' direction, offering a sense of unstoppable force and vitality. From the strumming vibrations of guitar strings to the determined strides of runners, these photographs invite you to experience life in motion, to feel the rush of wind, and to hear the heartbeat of action. Take a glimpse into a gallery where each photograph is a narrative of velocity, urging you to ponder the stories that unfold at the speed of life. Click and let yourself be swept away by the pace of pulsating stories captured through the mastery of panning.
Crispy
A straightforward black and white photo gallery that speaks volumes through its simplicity. The collection features a range of subjects, from candid shots to posed portraits, all in crisp monochrome that highlights the nuances of light and shadow. It's a showcase of real moments and genuine expressions, offering a glimpse into varied slices of life. This gallery is ideal for anyone looking to add a touch of authenticity and timeless elegance to their space.
Liminal Spaces
What’s a liminal space? Liminal spaces are those “in-between” spots you pass through but don’t really spend time in, like hallways or waiting rooms. But what makes them super interesting for photography is when these places, which are usually filled with people, are suddenly empty. Imagine a school hallway without students or a playground with no kids; it’s like capturing a secret moment when a place designed for people has none. These spaces can feel a bit mysterious or even eerie because they’re empty when they’re not supposed to be. When you photograph them, you’re not just taking a picture; you’re making people think about why these spaces are empty and what that says about the world around us. It’s a cool way to challenge yourself and anyone who sees your photos to look at everyday places in a whole new light.
Look up!
This gallery contains images that capture the beauty of the world from a unique perspective - looking up. Each of these images captures the viewer's attention by inviting them to look up and appreciate the world from a different angle.
Natural Light
“A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it.”– Edward Steichen
This project allowed us to use the available light to create a feeling in our photographs. Click the picture to see our work.
Stretch Project
“There are always two people in every photo: the photographer and the viewer.”– Ansel Adams
The Stretch project was designed to get as much in the frame as possible. Photography students used wide angle lenses and photo editing software to stitch together really wide and tall images that took it all in. Click the image to see our work.
BEP Project
“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.”– Ansel Adams
The BEP project was designed to help photographers learn about motion blur and bokeh (background blur). These ideas help us make a picture rather than take a picture. Click the image to see our work.
Me to Me
“Photography is the story I fail to put into words.”– Destin Sparks
How many of me are there? This project allowed students to learn about camera timers and photo editing. How many of you are there? Click on the image to see our work
First Gallery
“Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.”– Henri Cartier-Bresson
Our First Galleries were built by teams of photogs who chose a theme for their first show. These pictures show us using our knowledge of rules of composition and basic camera operation. Click the image to see our work.