NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Leah Jackson (jacksonl@nsula.edu)
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
4/14/2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES - An exhibit entitled “Windows” will showcase the talents of upper level Northwestern State University photography students May 5-9. The classic portraiture class will feature the work of 20 students with an opening reception from 6-8 p.m. Monday, May 5. The exhibit will be presented in the Orville Hanchey Gallery on the NSU campus.
“The goal of classic portraiture is to take photographic skills from snapshot level to professional grade level,” said instructor Kat Pennington. “We concentrate on photographing people from a commercial, salable viewpoint. It is bread and butter classic portraiture and teaches composition, seeing and using light and capturing individual personalities on paper. We cover how to photograph people from infants to mature adults, go over professional tips and have business discussions on how to earn money through photography.”
Each class session was divided into three parts, Pennington said, began with critiques of students’ work from the previous week’s assignment, followed by a discussion about business aspects of running a photography business, including attitude, organization, reputation, income potential, marketing, networking and suggestive selling. The last component emphasized technical skills, including the correct way to stand and breathe when photographing.
“We’ve covered subjects like proper clothing in portraits, subject control, differences in posing stances for men and women and photographic people from individuals, to couples and groups. We have even talking about pet portraits,” Pennington said.
By the end of the semester, the class will have covered photographic small groups and weddings, as well as utilize a local photo studio where each student will photograph his or her own subject.
“I’ve had a camera in my hand for as long as I can remember but just didn’t know how to take the perfect picture that I’ve wanted for so long. This is the first photography class I’ve taken and I have learned so much in such a short period of time,” said Carrie Smith of Colfax, who enjoys taking nature pictures and pictures at family gatherings. “I will use this new knowledge to practice and continue my picture taking as a hobby and see what comes of it in the future.”
“Commercial portraiture has helped me develop as a photographer by showing me exactly how to photograph people and bring out their natural beauty,” said Brianna Williams of Leesville, who plans to utilize her photography skills in enhancing her work as a graphic designer. “Being able to photograph your own subjects as a graphic designer is an extremely valuable talent because it is one less thing you have to outsource.”
Williams also enjoys the instant gratification of photography.
“With other forms of artwork there is often a longer wait time to produce something beautiful while photography gives me the opportunity to capture my surroundings immediately,” she said. “My favorite subjects to photograph are young people my own age. So many people don't see themselves as the people I see behind the lens of my camera and I love showing them how I see them.
“The reason for choosing ‘Windows’ for the name of the show is multifaceted,” Pennington explained. “One, it is the way we’re planning the layout of the exhibition. Two, in most classic portraits, the emphasis is on the eyes. There is a well-known saying, ‘The eyes are the windows of the soul.’ Three, when viewers look at a portrait, they should be able to see something about the subject’s personality, almost like looking through a window of time captured in a person’s life.”
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