David Leyes Came to Sarnia

By Shawna Lavoix

Every semester, the Lambton College Photography program has an “In the Photographer’s Studio” event. This year, the school broadened their audience to include the Sarnia Photographic Club and the students in area high schools who are taking a photography course.  With all these extra people who planned on coming, Lambton College took this event outside of the college’s photography studio, where it has been held for the last 5 years, to the Sarnia Lambton Library auditorium.

David Leyes (left) and Richard Beland (right) talking about David’s photo on the screen during the “In the Photographer’s Studio” event at the Sarnia Lambton Library Auditorium in Sarnia, Ontario on February 20, 2018. Photo by Shawna Lavoix

David Leyes looking up at the crowd during the “In the Photographer’s Studio” event at the
Sarnia Lambton Library Auditorium in Sarnia,
Ontario on February 20, 2018. Photo by Shawna Lavoix

Our guest speaker this semester was David Leyes who was being interviewed by Richard Beland, the coordinator of the Digital Photography program. This wasn’t David Leyes’ first time coming to the Inside the Photographer’s studio event, but it was an honour to have him back. He really gave the audience a good look into how he grew his business through networking and his personal belief that even though he didn’t go to school for photography it would have been a great benefit to his career.

David was energetic and entertaining with his funny behind-the-scenes stories. Both Richard and David kept the whole demonstration up beat with some friendly banter and kept it really informal. The two of them were friends in college and have kept in touch over the years, so the event was really light hearted. Emily Nutson, a graduate from the Digital Program, was excited to see David when saying

“It’s my second time seeing him and I still am hung on every word. He kept my interest and he was hilarious.”

David Leyes really seemed to inspire the audience. The crowd was asking very thought provoking questions to David. When one of the first year Digital photography student, Francesca Pasqualucci, was really amazed by the whole experience and declare

“That was cool! I learnt a lot!... If you’re going to start learning about anything, it’s best if you start learning about which questions to ask to get the most information.” 

David Leyes (left) and Richard Beland (right) discussing an image on the computer screen during the “In the Photographer’s Studio” event at the Sarnia Lambton Library Auditorium in Sarnia, Ontario on February 20, 2018.

David Leyes looking out at the crowd when a participant was asking a question during the
“In the Photographer’s Studio”
event at the Sarnia Lambton Library Auditorium in Sarnia, Ontario on
February 20, 2018. Photo by Shawna Lavoix

This event was also special, specifically to the Digital Photography students, since some of the graduates from that program came that night to meet with David Leyes. It was great to watch students reconnect after they haven’t been able to see each other in so long. After the event, the graduates went with David to a restaurant to talk about their experiences with photography and catch up on good times. This event really brought the community together.

It was a very educational experience. The students from Lambton College and the photographers all around Sarnia really appreciated David Leyes for giving his time to talk about his photography.

David Leyes (left) is talking to a photographer while posing for a picture with Richard Beland (right)
 after the “In the Photographer’s Studio” event at the
Sarnia Lambton Library Auditorium in Sarnia, Ontario
 on February 20, 2018. Photo by Shawna Lavoix
 

Barenaked Ladies, Photo by David Leyes

Chris Hemsworth, Photo by David Leyes

Jim Treliving,  hoto by David Leyes

Tracy Spiridakos, Photo by David Leyes

Willem Dafoe, Photo by David Leyes

Lambton Arts Collective

 

By:  Lisa Cattran

The Lambton College second year students have been very busy lately (perhaps that should read a little busier than usual?). The Lambton Arts Collective opened on Friday, February 2nd, at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts in Sarnia, Ontario.  The Lambton Arts Collective is an exhibit which runs until February 22nd and features work from the College’s Arts programs:  photography, pottery/ceramics, drawing and spoken word.

Studio Manager Emily Nutson and Instructor David Chidley

hang a photograph at the Lawrence House Centre for the

Arts in Sarnia, Ontario on Tuesday, January 30th, 2018.

(Lisa Cattran)

As a requirement of their Digital Darkroom II class, the second year students submitted two photographs to hang in the exhibit with the subject matter left completely up to their descretion.  That may sound simple enough, but there was much more work that went into the final two photographs than one might at first assume.  To begin with, the students had to make their photographs. It is not a matter of just pointing a camera and shooting.  Students use the knowledge that they have learned through their time in the program to find the perfect light and create the most appealing composition. The next step is importing the photograph into their computers and utilizing editing programs to enhance the photo to make it look the best that it can.  Once the students are happy with their final product, it is time to print.  Printing is quite a process unto itself.  Again, it is not simple: you do not just press a button like you would for a word document.  Printing a photograph involves developing several test prints and going back and re-editing your photo a number of times so that you have the right colour, density and contrast.  It is not a quick process by any means.  The photographs then need to be made ready for hanging at the exhibition: matting and framing.  The students were also responsible for this final step.  Participating in the Lambton Arts Collective is a great learning experience that helps to prepare the students for their final solo gallery which will be exhibited in early April.

Richard Beland....

...Dave Chidley work together!

A couple of students along with Studio Manager Emily Nutson and faculty members Richard Beland and Dave Chidley went a few days beforehand to hang all of the photographs.  Much thought went into the correct placement of the various photographs, along with the perfect space between these photos.

Opening night was especially exciting for three of the students.  Tanis Wright won First Place in the President’s Award for Photography for her photo “And the Lord Said.” Richard Morretin won an honourable mention for his photo “Reflections - New York City Construction.”  Shawna Lavoie also won an honourable mention for her photo “Essence of Milk.”  It was a busy and intense process for all and well worth the effort even for those who did not walk away with a prize.

Guests enjoy the photographs at the Lambton Arts Collective at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts in Sarnia, Ontario on Friday, February 2nd, 2018. (Lisa Cattran)

Instructor David Chidley chats with Ryan Gibbs,  at the Lambton Arts Collective at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts in Sarnia, Ontario on Friday, February 2nd, 2018. (Lisa Cattran)

Students and their families gather to enjoy the photos at the Lambton Arts Collective at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts in Sarnia, Ontario on Friday, February 2nd, 2018. (Lisa Cattran)

Tanis Wright poses in front of her award winning photo "And the Lord Said" at the Lambton Arts Collective at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts in Sarnia, Ontario on Friday, February 2nd, 2018. (Lisa Cattran