When it comes to gear, it may seem that even the great Civil War photographer Matthew Brady had more to work with than these kids.
But even though they have to develop their photos in a closet, Bayview High School photography students are making their mark with their cameras.
Ripe from their recent successes at the Washington State High School Photo Competition, and at the “Arts and Appetizers” show at Greenbank Farm sponsored by Whidbey Island’s Branch of the American Association of University Women, Bayview photography students are preparing to show their winning photos at “Bayview: Eye of the Beholder.” The show will run 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, June 10-13, in the Front Room of the Bayview Cash Store.
The state competition, sponsored by Rainier Photo, included students from 61 high schools with more than
3,000 entries in 10 photographic categories.
Bayview High School, which had the smallest photography program in the competition, tied for eighth place overall with only 12 of their students
competing.
A visit to the photography studio at the school hinted at the odds overcome by these students, who have obviously forwarded their craft of picture-taking without the benefit of fancy equipment and modern conveniences.
The darkroom is an 8-foot-by-10-foot former janitor’s closet with a sink. They have two enlargers on the “dry” side of the room and a series of chemical trays on the “wet” side. The program has a series of five donated 35mm cameras that are loaned out to students on a rotating basis. Supplies are purchased with a small darkroom fee and ASB funds, as well as donations.
Volunteer photography teacher Judi Slepyan said there is a lot of talent coming through the humble doors of the studio and the awards from these competitions is always a boost for the students.
Ahren Bader-Jarvis won second place in portraiture for his photo, “Man for All Seasons.”
Bader-Jarvis is 18 and has been taking pictures for about five years now.
“I was quite surprised that I won for that photo because it’s a portrait,” he said. “Especially with portraiture, since it’s not really my thing, and I get a little scared trying to figure out what to do with the person and how to interact with them.”
Bader-Jarvis said the photo came out of an assignment and he decided that rather than doing the same old style of portrait, he’d take it to a new level. He set up the shot outside on a dark, winter night with a stage light. He said the photo succeeded in revealing the contrast of dark and light and that it has the crisp look he wanted.
“What is that saying?” asked Bader-Jarvis. “A picture is as good as
1,000 words.”
Tayme Rose, 17, won third place for her portrait entitled “Fairy Tale” and Leslie Dillon took fifth place in the landscape category for her photo “Beyond the Sea.”
Slepyan said that Rose is a prolific photographer and never goes anywhere without a camera in her hand. Rose said when she looks through the lens she is most interested in detail and shadow.
“A lot of it is random,” Rose said. “But sometimes I have to set up a shot for an assignment and something good comes out of it.”
Rose’s winning photograph was one she shot for a school assignment.
She also said she only shoots in black and white because it’s more interesting to her. It lets her bring out the fine lines of a photo instead of getting an image that’s dominated by color.
Both of these students said that photography will always be a part of their lives, no matter what they do for a career. Bader-Jarvis is a graphic designer, a Web designer and a musician who would like to incorporate photography into his work no matter what he does.
Rose said she may someday like to do something with photographing vintage muscle cars or something else completely. She said she is drawn to documentary photos and photographing run-down neighborhoods and the sadness of the people who inhabit them. She is not interested in taking photos just for money.
“If you’re not passionate about it, why do it?” she said.
“Bayview: Eye of the Beholder” will feature more than 40 pieces from Bayview students. The exhibit includes photos from the Greenbank show and the state competition.
