The eye of the photographer

When Kelly Jones decided to step from behind the camera and take over instruction of Sampson Community College’s Shutterbugs II class from long-time photography teacher Gloria Edwards, her main goal was to help her students grow as photographers just as Edwards had done for her.

One way to do that, she believed, was to give them every opportunity she could to take pictures and to encourage them when not in class to go nowhere without their camera in tow.

During the 10-week class, Jones did just that, taking her students downtown and on the road, allowing them to get upclose and personal with their cameras. The end result was a small group of photographers who had fallen even deeper in love with their cameras and the pictures they were producing.

“We had a good time,” Jones attested. “I hope they learned some new things and had the chance to work on what they had learned in the first year class. Looking at their pictures over the course of the class, I truly believe they did.

The students agreed.

“We had a great time,” Shutterbugs II student Sylvia Steinmiller pointed out. “We loved the field trips and the lessons.”

Steinmiller said Jones taught her not to be afraid of getting the shot she wanted. “She taught me to get down and get in the picture to see all the details. So what if your knees get a little dirty, it’s worth it when you get that awesome shot.”

Classmate Kimberly Cannady agreed. “I got a lot out of the class and really enjoyed the field trips.” And she enjoyed the lessons, like those on reflections. “Kelly taught us reflections whether off a window, a puddle of water or through a water droplet. It was just great.

Jones said she worked with the students on honing their skills but also on their confidence. “I tried to teach them that they should not compare themselves to any other photographer other than the one they were yesterday. You see everyone has their own style. They are their own brand of artist, and they should capitalize on that. I hope they learned that above everything else.”

Jones will return to the SCC classroom this fall for both Shutterbugs II and a revival of Shutterbugs III. Students taking the second class must have completed Sebrinia Johnson’s or Edwards’ Digital Dos and Don’t class before signing up for II, and Shutterbugs III is offered to those who have previously had the second level class.

Classes resume on Sept. 11 with Digital Do’s followed by Shutterbugs II on Sept. 12 and III on Sept. 13.

“We encourage people to join us. I promise it will be fun,” Jones stressed.

For more information or to register call SCC’s Continuing Education Department at 910-592-7176.

Aptly calling her photo ‘Gone Fishing,’ Shutterbugs II student Kimberly Cannady chose this as one of her five exam photos because, she said, it showed her attempt to use different opportunities to capture unique photos. ‘I want to challenge myself and so I choose various photo projects of my own to shoot. I’ve nicknamed this heron Cecil and I watch him on a daily basis. I was fortunate to catch him fishing for his daily meal.’

https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_5-Gone-Fishin-KC.jpgAptly calling her photo ‘Gone Fishing,’ Shutterbugs II student Kimberly Cannady chose this as one of her five exam photos because, she said, it showed her attempt to use different opportunities to capture unique photos. ‘I want to challenge myself and so I choose various photo projects of my own to shoot. I’ve nicknamed this heron Cecil and I watch him on a daily basis. I was fortunate to catch him fishing for his daily meal.’

Silvia Steinmiller practiced what she was taught in Shutterbugs II, capturing a series of reflections in the water as a beautiful black swan makes its way across the pond. Calling it ‘Reflections of a new day,’ Steinmiller said she like the photograph because it reminder her to look for different things as you search for a great photo.

https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_IMG_8438-SS.jpgSilvia Steinmiller practiced what she was taught in Shutterbugs II, capturing a series of reflections in the water as a beautiful black swan makes its way across the pond. Calling it ‘Reflections of a new day,’ Steinmiller said she like the photograph because it reminder her to look for different things as you search for a great photo.

Shutterbugs II student Ned Highsmith took this architectural photo of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, using it as one of his five exam photos. The class studied how to angle the camera to get the best shot when looking at architecture and different angles, and Highsmith said he thought this was a good example of the lessons he had learned in the SCC photography class.

https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_IMG_1272-Ned.jpgShutterbugs II student Ned Highsmith took this architectural photo of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, using it as one of his five exam photos. The class studied how to angle the camera to get the best shot when looking at architecture and different angles, and Highsmith said he thought this was a good example of the lessons he had learned in the SCC photography class.

Using her close-up setting, Sylvia Steinmiller caught this bug getting a drink of water off a dandelion. Taken on the SCC campus, Steinmiller said she chose this photo as one of her exam shots because she loved the detail you could see, from the drops of water to the fibers on the dandelion.

https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_IMG_7736-SS.jpgUsing her close-up setting, Sylvia Steinmiller caught this bug getting a drink of water off a dandelion. Taken on the SCC campus, Steinmiller said she chose this photo as one of her exam shots because she loved the detail you could see, from the drops of water to the fibers on the dandelion.

Young Ethan Wiggins became the focus of this photo by Kimberly Cannady who called it ‘Inside Out.’ Taken at Model Barber Shop in downtown Clinton, Cannady was able to get a totally unposed picture of Ethan watching what was going on outside while his grandfather, Rodney Wiggins, was getting a haircut inside.

https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_4-Inside-Out-KC.jpgYoung Ethan Wiggins became the focus of this photo by Kimberly Cannady who called it ‘Inside Out.’ Taken at Model Barber Shop in downtown Clinton, Cannady was able to get a totally unposed picture of Ethan watching what was going on outside while his grandfather, Rodney Wiggins, was getting a haircut inside.

Earlier this spring during one of the many field trips the Shutterbugs II class took, Kimberly Cannady was able to get a closeup shot of a butterfly sneaking a little nectar off an azalea blossom in full bloom.

https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_3-Butterfly-Kisses-KC.jpgEarlier this spring during one of the many field trips the Shutterbugs II class took, Kimberly Cannady was able to get a closeup shot of a butterfly sneaking a little nectar off an azalea blossom in full bloom.