(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.)
Kelly Jones loves taking pictures, pointing her camera at everything from produce growing in the fields to landscapes of old homes, farms and barns. Close-up shots are another of her favorites, her love of the art clearly visible in the bright orange Gerber daisy and the fresh ripe, red strawberries she is showing during final exam night in her first level Digital Do’s and Don’ts class at Sampson Community College.
Jones isn’t a newbie to photography but she wanted to take the digital classes taught by Gloria Edwards at SCC to hone her skills.
She has done just that, Jones noted as she detailed why she liked the five exam photographs she chose.
“I have really enjoyed this class. It has helped me grow in my knowledge of photography.”
Jones’ classmates couldn’t agree more. All said they had enjoyed Edwards “way of making photography fun and interesting” and believe they are all better photographers because of it.
“She’s the best teacher ever,” first level student Pam Griffin noted. “I have learned so much; I can’t wait for fall and the Level 2 class.
From learning to pay attention to your surroundings to finding beauty in the every day, students said they had learned common sense approaches to taking pictures and enjoying every minute of doing so.
“I have learned how to figure out what I want to capture about a photograph,” student Kathleen Gancer said. “The only bad thing about this class is that it didn’t last longer. I can’t wait to get back in the fall.”
Newton Grove resident Dewayne West said while he had taken photographs for a long time, the Level 1 class had helped him better understand things like the rule of thirds, positioning and finding the beauty in the unusual and the everyday. “It’s been a great class, that’s for sure.”
For Edwards’ part, helping students enjoy their cameras and capture the beauty surrounding them rank high on her list of why she keeps teaching.
“I love to see how they progress. It’s interesting to watch them get familiar with their cameras and then begin to put into practice what they’ve learned, everything from understanding that they don’t need to use a flash to remembering to look up.”
Edwards said her first level students were good photographers whose photographs easily showed their growth and the intensity of their observation skills.
“They really have a good eye for photography, and they have developed a love for it, too. That they love taking pictures is probably the best thing they get out of this class.”
Carolyn Pope said she certainly had developed a love for the art. “Oh, I’ve learned a lot, from the rule of thirds to the different angles you can take a picture. But I think what I’ve learned most is to have fun with it. I’m really doing that … having fun.”