With more students than ever capturing the world around them with the lens of a camera, student photography is thriving at ELHS. Whether it’s snapping candid shots of friends or photographing school events, photography has become the new latest trend and gateway to a lifelong passion, with some students planning to pursue it professionally or personally beyond high school.
“I started [taking photos] at the end of last year. I started taking pictures for the yearbook and I loved using the camera. I use it all the time,” sophomore and student photographer Kylo Oswald said.
With the advent of digital cameras and smartphones, capturing moments has never been more accessible. ELHS digital photography teacher Rachel Redding has been teaching photography for 22 years and has degrees in graphic design, fine arts, and photography.
“Social media has a huge impact on photography. There’s a lot of great bloggers and a lot of great people I follow, and I’m always looking at their work feeling inspired to do better on my own photography,” Ms. Redding said.
Many students use social media platforms like Instagram to showcase their work, gaining recognition not only from friends, but also from a larger crowd. The instant access to a wide audience has transformed photography into a more interactive art form, revealing personal expression and public display.
“It’s [cameras] gone from 35 millimeter film to a digital camera, to now iPhones, so it’s constantly evolving, and the companies are getting better and better with their technology,” Ms. Redding said
Photography further acts as a creative outlet and an excellent art form for anyone interested in capturing a moment.
“I like photography because you can venture into your own path, and it’s unique from the rest because not everyone does it, and you make so many friends doing it,” senior and student photographer Raleigh Loring said.
Whether capturing the essence of daily life or capturing a player on the field, student photographers are embracing the power of visual storytelling. With more opportunities and interest in this form of art, the future of student photography looks incredibly bright.
