(Editor’s note: This Sunday begins a series of feature front pages from Sampson Community College’s photography classes in Levels 1-4. Classes resume in the fall for Digital Dos and Don’ts, Shutterbugs II and Shutterbugs III. To register, call SCC at 910-592-8081 and ask for the Continuing Education Department.)

Teresa Young beamed as judges praised her photograph of a goat which she captured as it was staring out from a barn doorway.

“I love the composition,” the judges said, “and the uniqueness of the picture, itself.”

Young agreed. “I thought it was an interesting shot, and I couldn’t wait to see how it turned out once I took it.”

Her enthusiasm is mirrored by the others in Gloria Edwards’ Digital Do’s and Don’ts class at Sampson Community College, the first of four levels of photography that she taught over the last 10 weeks. It is that enthusiasm coupled with what students say is the “fun way” Edwards teaches that has sparked so much interest in the photography classes.

“I just want them to enjoy taking pictures,” the instructor points out, “and I want them to feel comfortable with their cameras.”

To a person, first level students said after the class they certainly did feel much better about the camera they were holding and the pictures they were getting.

“It’s been a blast,” noted Cindy Malpass. “I have had a great time.”

And, noted Kathleen Gancer, I have learned a great deal. In fact, now, everything I see I want to figure out how I can take a picture of it, capture the essence of what I’m looking at.”

Those comments please Edwards, who has said it is her desire for her students to see life from a different perspective and to look at their surroundings with new eyes.

“I certainly do,” noted Digital Do’s student Betsy Simpson. “I like having my camera with me because you never know when you are going to see something to photograph. This has been so much fun; I can’t wait for the next class.”

That wait won’t be all that long. Edwards will resume the first three level classes right after Labor Day. To register or to find out more information, call the Continuing Education Department at SCC.

Digital Do’s and Don’ts student Teresa Young entitled her photograph simply ‘The Goat,’ and noted that she took the picture — and selected it as one of her final exam pictures — because of its uniqueness. ‘It’s very, very rate to see a goat standing in a barn door. When I noticed it, I just had to take the picture,’ she said.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1__DSC0528-Teresa-Young1.jpgDigital Do’s and Don’ts student Teresa Young entitled her photograph simply ‘The Goat,’ and noted that she took the picture — and selected it as one of her final exam pictures — because of its uniqueness. ‘It’s very, very rate to see a goat standing in a barn door. When I noticed it, I just had to take the picture,’ she said.

Cindy Malpass Nance shot this picture of the dam side of Fox Lake, capturing a serene moment in time. ‘I love the way the pear tree limbs and the shadows of the limbs frame the photograph,’ she noted about why she selected this shot as one of her final exam pictures.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_Camera-Class-Framing-Your-Picture-Cindy-Malpass.jpgCindy Malpass Nance shot this picture of the dam side of Fox Lake, capturing a serene moment in time. ‘I love the way the pear tree limbs and the shadows of the limbs frame the photograph,’ she noted about why she selected this shot as one of her final exam pictures.

Aptly titling her photograph ‘Take a Seat,’ Kathleen Gancer pointed out that she turned her camera’s attention to this shot because of the unusual arrangement of the chairs and how the eye follows the lines. ‘When I saw it, I thought it was very unique and I just couldn’t wait to take a picture of it.’
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_IMG_0170Kathleen-Gancer.jpgAptly titling her photograph ‘Take a Seat,’ Kathleen Gancer pointed out that she turned her camera’s attention to this shot because of the unusual arrangement of the chairs and how the eye follows the lines. ‘When I saw it, I thought it was very unique and I just couldn’t wait to take a picture of it.’

Besty Simpson loves taking all kinds of photographs, but perhaps none better than people shots, particularly of her granddaughter, 2 1/2-year-old Lauren Simpson. Here Lauren is preparing to enjoy her first Moon Pie. ‘This picture takes me back in time, showing a renewing of traditions. I just love her look and the background,’ Simpson said of why she selected this photograph as one of her final exam shots.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_Lauren-s-1st-Moon-Pie-Betsy-Simpson.jpgBesty Simpson loves taking all kinds of photographs, but perhaps none better than people shots, particularly of her granddaughter, 2 1/2-year-old Lauren Simpson. Here Lauren is preparing to enjoy her first Moon Pie. ‘This picture takes me back in time, showing a renewing of traditions. I just love her look and the background,’ Simpson said of why she selected this photograph as one of her final exam shots.

Tyson Banks caught this Egret on one leg, using the other to scratch his face, with the Oak Island lighthouse in the background, a photograph taken at Camp Cashwell. Banks said he liked the photograph for many reasons, including the interesting angles and lines.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_oak-island-TBanks.jpgTyson Banks caught this Egret on one leg, using the other to scratch his face, with the Oak Island lighthouse in the background, a photograph taken at Camp Cashwell. Banks said he liked the photograph for many reasons, including the interesting angles and lines.