Lambton College - Photography

Friday, March 7, 2014

Then and Now

Editor's note: In the following weeks, you will hear and see images from our students themselves: their thoughts and reflections on the course, their work, and the work of others. Come back often to see what is happening in the Lambton Digital Photography program.

Then and Now by Mary Miller

The anticipation leading up to the first day of class back in September 2013 seems a fleeting memory now. It is hard to believe that in a few short weeks my time at Lambton College will draw to a close. I arrived expecting to learn everything about photography, but I am leaving with so much more. In my two years at Lambton I have learned a great deal about a subject I thought I already knew: myself.

I teamed up with the Culinary Arts Program to photograph their themed creations. This week represented Italy.

Photo By: Mary Christine Miller

Upon my arrival for the first day of class, the first thing that struck me was the monumental age gap between my classmates and myself. We were a class that spanned from aged 18 to 52. And I was the 52. That having been said, I was overjoyed at how seamlessly I became a part of the group. All I can figure is that it was the right mix of good people and a common passion for the material at hand. Over the past couple of years, we faced many trials and tribulations, and as I look at my class now I think we all share a common sense of pride at having “weathered the storm”. Indeed, our class has slowly shrunk from 24 to a motley crew of 10. We all have our strengths and our failings. But I can honestly say that my cohort brings out the best in me and my work, and hopefully I do the same for them. There is a word for that: family. We have become a family.

I am exploring a more creative look at photography. This photo is an abstract of reflections framed with cedar shingles.

Photo By: Mary Christine Miller

I’m not precisely sure when it happened, but I do know how it happened. We have been guided through this experience by the best group of instructors anybody could ask for. Richard, Dave, Don, Troy, Mark, Lorrie and Erica have all done their part to help us grow, realize our vision, and push us to better ourselves. I’m constantly surprised at just how far they are willing to go above and beyond in order to see us achieve our goals. It was clear from the onset that not only their approach to the material, but their approach to us as fledgling artists was calculated and coordinated. If any group of people could serve as role models for a strong team, it’s them.

More abstract exploration while having fun with light painting.

Photo By: Mary Christine Miller

That all having been said, the last thing I expected to gain from this experience was the insights about myself that have begrudgingly come forward these past two years. When I started the program, I did so because I felt like my work had gone as far as I could get it on my own. Worried that I was stagnating, I decided to give myself over to my passion full time and let others challenge me in ways I wasn’t expecting. Nonetheless, it was hard for me to see the progress I was making. But with perseverance, and the perspective that only time can give, I’m proud of how my work has improved by leaps and bounds. I never could have expected the directions it would take. Before I was fascinated by the living world around me, the beauty of a natural landscape. But now I have come to embrace the more creative side of our art, and thanks to the support of the Culinary Arts program, I have founds a love for photographing their culinary creations.

A fun composite highlighting our New York adventure.

Photos & Manipulations By: Mary Christine Miller

More importantly, I’m proud of how I have improved by leaps and bounds. When the class took its trip to New York in the fall, I was almost crippled by anxiety and doubt. Could I keep up? What would become of me if I didn’t? But with the support of our leaders and my new found family, I realized that if I only trust myself to find my way in the world (and in Central Park) I can do it. In hindsight, the New York trip has summed up my time here at Lambton. It began with a great deal of uncertainty and doubt. But by giving myself freedom to try new things, trust in myself, and rely on others, I have seen things I never thought I would see - most of all in myself.

Link to Mary Miller Facebook Page

Again a team effort with the Culinary Arts Program. This week represented Canada.

Photo By: Mary Christine Miller

An early evening New York sky, shot from the top of the Rockefeller Centre.

Photo By: Mary Christine Miller

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Finding the Groove in a Photo Shoot

By Angelyn Smolders

It has been an exciting term thus far in the Digital Photography program at Lambton College. We are in our fourth and final term: at this point in our studies, we are applying the culmination of the knowledge we have gained to our photo shoots. We have learned and grown so much in the past year and a half. The professors in the program are not your typical teachers, but are instead mentors. The lessons and assignments are challenging, inspiring and creative.

As defined by Merriam-Webster, “Progression is a movement or development toward a destination or a more advanced state, esp. gradually or in stages.”

At the end of January, our mentor David Chidley brought in models Nolan and Lovely from a local modeling agency called ‘The Fashion Palace.’ It was a wonderful experience for the class as the models were eager to be photographed. It is such a joy when people like being in front of the camera!

A photo shoot is like a first dance with someone that you have just met…

It starts out stiffly as the photographer adjusts the lighting and the settings on her camera while the model is often guarded and needs to warm up to the photographer. Oftentimes, it is a good idea to give the subjects a ‘prop’ or something to hold onto in the beginning of the shoot until they feel more at ease. Ideally, in a short period of time, both the photographer and the subject become more comfortable with one another and the photo shoot flourishes… Poses, backgrounds and lighting are changed with more fluidity. The photographer becomes more courageous in the dance that started out so rigidly while the model loosens up and softens his/her approach to the camera. There is a lot of dialogue between the subject and the photographer and oftentimes a lot of laughter. The dance is no longer awkward, but beautiful.

According to Carolyn J. Marr in "Taken Pictures: On Interpreting Native American Photographs of the Southern Northwest Coast", Native Americans from the late 19^th to the early 20^th century were wary of having their photographs taken, as some believed the photograph was stealing part of their soul. For many, the negative attitude towards photography eventually turned into a positive one when they realized that photographs are a link to their ancestors and the camera is a powerful tool for use in ceremonies and the recording of history.

A skilled photographer can capture the spirit of a person. One can see and feel it in a person’s eyes upon viewing the image. The soul is intact, but it is as though a window to it has been opened. The encounter may start out awkwardly, but in a very short amount of time it grows into a beautiful moment made permanent through the lens.

The results of a successful progression in a photo shoot are superior images that best capture the essence of the subject whether that may be a person or an object. This is especially true with regards to portraiture photography. David Chidley brought in the models to teach us this invaluable lesson and the results of the photo shoot on that cold January day are stunning!

Thank you to Lovely and Nolan for their time; I look forward to seeing the images that I captured used in a portfolio for their modeling needs.

To see more of my photography, please visit and like my Facebook page, Angelyn Smolders Photography.

Namaste.

Faculty member Dave Chidley photographs Lovely in a demonstration "warm-up" session before the model took turns posing for the second year students in the Photographic Style and Design class. Photo by Angelyn Smolders

Faculty member Dave Chidley shows the results of initial shoot to model, Lovely in a demonstration photo session before posing for the second year students in the Photographic Style and Design class. Photo by Angelyn Smolders

Model Lovely, from studio photo session for the second year students in the Photographic Style and Design class. Photo by Angelyn Smolders

Model Nolan, from studio photo session for the second year students in the Photographic Style and Design class. Photo by Angelyn Smolders

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Focused On Photography

One of the reasons I decided to join the Digital Photography program at Lambton College was because quite blatantly… I can’t draw. Sounds a little silly, but it’s true. However, given all the things I’ve learned in terms of lighting, Photoshop, subject matter, photography (of course) and just art in general, I am now able to begin pursuing all of the crazy concepts and ideas that dare enter my mind. This being my last semester of the DPH program, I am finally able to concentrate on all things me, and what better way to push myself into that chaos than having to produce my own gallery showcasing my photography. This is a pretty big deal for me. I really just want people to get it… you know, like, REALLY get it.

I have thought long and hard about what my niche market is, what inspires me, who I am, what I’m capable of and where I want to go with all of this photography business, and it all comes down to conceptual art. I want to make the viewers’ minds bend a little when observing my photographs. So where does all this reflection leave me? Books of course! The only thing I have on my mind more than photography happens to be literature, and what better way to pursue my dreams and aspirations than to combine myself and my two loves into a sort of ménage-a-trois?

So far, I have made a list of about 15 different perceptions and inspirations of photo compilations and art to create with photography for one of my largest assignments. Last week, I put together an image of an invisible suited man flipping through a book. This week, I began with a floating little girl with a book in hand. Each shoot so far, as well as each to come, requires plenty of planning and organization to render the perfect final product. These photographs I’m creating require knowledge that covers everything I have learned in this program starting from day one (from lighting to just plain old critical thinking). Given the time frame to master all of these works, there is no juncture for do overs or mess-ups of any kind. Although these photographs take massive amounts of time, effort, concentration, problem solving and creativity, I must say it’s truly a labour of love and I wouldn’t prefer to be doing anything else!

Once I’m finished my series of photographs in the coming weeks, I want each of the images to have the same relation that books have. In a broad sense, I want people to feel mystery, excitement and curiosity... If I do my job correctly, my photographs will tell a story just as well as any best-selling author could. Plainly and simply, I wish one day to be the George Orwell or Oscar Wilde of photography, starting here at Lambton. Those who are interested in my journey as an aspiring photographer can follow me on Facebook at Fera Elise Kennedy Photography.

Model Arwen does her best to "fly" for concept shoot in the Lambton Digital Photography Studio.
photo by Fera Kennedy

Instructor Dave Chidley assists with model Arwen during "Floating Girl" shoot.
photo by Fera Kennedy

Final conceptual image of "Floating Girl" by Fera Kennedy

Friday, December 20, 2013

International Success

The Sarnia Observer newspaper has our own Bisi Alawode featured in a story about the increase in international students attending Lambton College. Great story about his journey to Sarnia, and the Lambton College Digital Photography program.

LINK to Article

When Bisi Alawode wed his fiancée Tito this fall, they didn’t only begin their married life together.

They also embarked on that new chapter of their lives in a faraway country.

The newlyweds moved from Lagos, Nigeria – Africa’s largest city with a population of 21 million – to Sarnia with dreams of furthering their educations.

Bisi, who had been working as a photographer, wanted to expand his skills, so he enrolled in the new digital photography program. His wife Tito signed up for the business management program.

“When you leave family for a long distance and you can’t wake up and go talk to them, it can be emotional, but my experience at Lambton College has been wonderful,” Bisi Alwode told an audience gathered at a Cultural Connections session Thursday.

The monthly educational series organized by the Sarnia-Lambton Local Immigration Partnership features guest speakers from a variety of cultures and backgrounds.

On Thursday, Lambton College played host to the December session, highlighting their growing international education department.

This fall, 290 international students attended the college’s Sarnia campus. Another 130 more international students are expected this winter.

The bulk of students come from Nigeria, China and India, noted Chris Slade, dean of the college’s international education department.

“In Lagos, Nigeria, Lambton College is as well-known as Centennial and Humber here,” he said.

The college is now expanding its attraction efforts to South Korea, Ukraine and Russia.

Slade said the goal is to continue growing into a diverse campus, so both domestic and international students can learn from one another.

“You can walk through the hallways and see the conversations, the friendships and the relationships and we’re proud of that,” he said.

First-year business management student Divya Reddy said her Canadian classmates and her homestay family have been welcoming to her.

“They treat you like a family member,” said Reddy, who hails from India. “They teach you about Canadian culture.”

Both Alawode and Reddy have become active in student life at Lambton College. They’ve set up a Facebook page “Lambton College International Students Working Group” to connect students from across the world studying at the college.

Students, like Alawode and Reddy, are an inspiration, Slade noted. They pay higher tuition fees without any government assistance and leave behind families to pursue their careers.

He said the college is trying to build more “global citizens” – people who are adaptable and open-minded – for the workforce.

In many ways, international students embody those characteristics, he noted.

“They’re really an example for us all,” he said.

barbara.simpson@sunmedia.ca

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Guest Photographer David Leyes

As the semester comes to a close the Lambton Digital Photography students took a welcome break from completing assignments to be entertained and informed, by celebrated commercial photographer David Leyes.

The guest appearance was one of our on-going speaker series, that the students will be developing into a video resource.

Leyes is a Toronto based, image-maker who has a diverse client base, of actors, celebrities, musicians, fashion, entertainment, advertising and business-world subjects.

He creates photographs, for local and international clients including, Corus Entertainment; Sony Music; Universal Music; Cosmo TV; Unilever; Rolling Stone; CBC; The Toronto Star; The Globe & Mail; Live Nation and Universal Concerts to name just a few!

The students were exposed to two hours of Leyes' humour, education, advice, stories, background and insight into the professional photography world he lives. His energetic and spontanious personality helped students understand how he works, and connects with his diverse range of subjects.

The message to Practice, Practice, Practice was not lost on the Lambton students!

Thanks to David and his family for coming to Sarnia and devoting the time from their busy schedules to allow the Lambton College Digital Photography students to learn from another working professional photographer.

To see more of David's work visit his website: http://www.davidleyes.com

To find out more about the Lambton Digital Photography program visit the college site: Lambton College Digital Photography Program

Lambton College Digital Photography students listen to guest speaker David Leyes describe a photo shoot
in a bathroom

Lambton College Digital Photography coordinator Richard Beland listens to guest speaker David Leyes discuss a photo shoot for the band The Bare Naked Ladies