Sunshine and Reflection Day 3 in NYC

By Olivia  Kilp-Watson and Hailey Finch

After two days of rain we finally get sunshine! After what felt like 5 minutes of sleep, we were up early to start another awesome day in New York.

Our journey on our third day in New York City traveled through the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, also known as the "Oculus".   At the transit complex and mall we saw a lot of people rushing through on their morning travels. 

To start the day we ventured to the 9/11 Memorial Museum. It’s hard to make something so horrid and heartbreaking look so beautiful, but it truly was. Walking through and seeing the broken beams and left behind personal items really made me appreciate everything around me.

After the 9/11 site we visited Saint Paul’s church which is the oldest church in Manhattan.  Historic Trinity Church and the spire that was once the tallest building in the United States (until 1869) also was one of the many places we stopped and experienced as we explored lower Manhattan.  

We then stopped at another deli for a quick bite to eat before we went to the International Centre of Photography. What an amazing place that is.  It is one of the most recognized places to study photography. Our tour guide Caleb was incredible. He showed us the classrooms, dark rooms and, the printer rooms (basically a photographer's dream). 

After our visit to the ICP we did a quick photoshoot at the famous Grand Central Station. It was rush hour but I have a feeling this place is always packed with people coming and going.
 

Next stop was my (Olivia's) most anticipated place, the Brooklyn Bridge. The weather was beautiful, the people were non stop moving and my camera was never down! The bridge was so much better in person than you see on T.V. it was hard to not get a great shot. 

After the long walk we made our way down to Pebble Beach for a sunset shoot ot the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, with the NYC skyline.  Everyone had their tripods ready for long exposure shots. As the sun went down the building lights went on.  

Overall another fantastic day in the city! Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

A crushed NYC firetruck after the falling of the Twin Towers that occurred September
11th, 2001. It remains untouched on Tuesday, October 10th, 2017. Photo by  Olivia  Kilp-Watson

Jennifer L. Howler and her unborn child’s name engraved on one of the two memorial
pools where the Twin Towers used to stand on Tuesday, October 10th, 2017.
Photo by  Olivia  Kilp-Watson

A display at 9/11 is photographed on Tuesday October,10 2017 to commemorate the flag that lifted rescue worker’s spirits after the disaster occurred on September 11, 2001.  Photo by Hailey Finc

Our lovely tour guide Caleb showing us one of the many printer rooms at the
International Centre of Photography on Tuesday, October 10th, 2017
Photo by  Olivia  Kilp-Watson

A true local New Yorker causally sitting on top of the Brooklyn Bridge on Tuesday,
October 10th, 2017.  Photo by  Olivia  Kilp-Watson

The Manhattan bridge catches the last light of the day

in the Dumbo neighborhood,  October,10 2017
Photo by Hailey Finch

A night shot of New York down at Pebble Beach where even the locals can’t stop

taking photos, on Tuesday, October 10th, 2017.  Photo by  Olivia  Kilp-Watson

Towers of New York shine in the night sky, Tuesday October, 10 2017. 
Photo by Hailey Finch

The lights of the Brooklyn Bridge piercing through the evening sky, October,10 2017 to show
Photo by Hailey Finch

Another Rainy day in New York City

Another Rainy day in New York City

By: Shawna Lavoie and Lisa Cattran

We woke up to an overcast sky and a forecast of rain for our first full day in New York.
Everyone was in good spirits despite the unfortunate weather. Our first adventure of the day
was a ride on the Roosevelt Island tram to get us into Manhattan. While in line waiting for the
tram, our ever friendly classmate Tanis Wright struck up a conversation with an Aussie transplant…perhaps it has planted a seed in her head, and she’ll be planning our next class trip further abroad.

We gathered outside Central Park to receive our instructions from faculty Dave Chidley, and ran into a friendly police officer. Officer Coopersmith answered our questions and then offered us a ‘fun fact’
about the statues of horses and riders in Central Park. He informed us that if a horse has one
front leg up, it means that the rider had been injured in battle, and if the horse has both its front
legs up, the rider has been killed in battle.

The Columbus Day Parade was a bit of a bust for us. We watched for a little while, but it had
been raining all morning, and we were all rather wet. The parade itself stalled as well likely due to the weather.  

We escaped the rain after lunch with a trip to the MoMA. The special exhibition was a history of
fashion. A few of the students commented that the museum was larger than they expected. A
few others had an adventure on the elevator where they almost went to the sub-
basement…perhaps never to return. It was surprising to see so many people taking selfies with
the artwork, rather than just looking at it and enjoying it.

Indian dinner at Raj Mahjal was delicious. It was an evening full of good food and laughter. After
supper, the group split into two with destinations of The Strand Bookstore and a night shoot in
Times Square. The laughter continued in Times Square where our own Adam Shepley was pulled ‘on stage’ by street performers. Adam entertained the crowd with his dance moves but has decided to pass on a career in street performance and stick to photography.

Tourists with a selfie photo in hand admire a painting at the MoMa in New York, New York on Monday,
October 9th, 2017. (Shawna Lavoie)

Adam, Olivia, Josh, Dave and Maggie (L-R) stand waiting for the tram to arrive at the Roosevelt
Island Tramway in New York, New York on Monday, October 9th, 2017. (Shawna Lavoie)

The statue of William Tecumseh Sherman stands in Columbus Circle outside Central Park in
New York, New York on Monday, October 9th, 2017. (Lisa Cattran)

Lambton College students and faculty, along with Officer Coopersmith pose for a group photo
outside Central Park in New York, New York on October 9th, 2017. (Lisa Cattran)

Gina Robertson chats with a local New York resident in Central Park in New York, New York on
Monday, October 9th, 2017. (Lisa Cattran)

Police Officers gather ard are briefed about the Columbus Day Parade outside Central Park in New
York, New York on Monday, October 9th, 2017. (Lisa Cattran)

A dad and his little girl sat cuddling during the Columbus Day Parade in New York, New York, on
Monday, October 9th, 2017. (Shawna Lavoie)

Students and faculty begin to arrive at Raj Mahal in New York, New York on Monday, October
9th, 2017. (Shawna Lavoie)

Adam Shepley (in hat and sunglasses), along with other tourists, joins in the fun of a street performance in Times
Square in New York, New York on Monday, October 9th, 2017. (Shawna Lavoie)

NYC the journey begins

Day 1 of our NYC journey

By Emily Nutson and Gina Roberson

We made it!  We’re safe and sound in the Big Apple and it started out with lots and lots of rain.  Our first stop in NYC was Premier Deli on 7^th Ave.  We filled our rumbly bellies and carried on through Times Square to Highline Park.  It is an elevated linear park, greenway and rail trail that stretches 2.3 kilometers on the west side of Manhattan.  It is a frequent outing for many locals, as they enjoy a bit of nature within the city. 

We had a slight struggle with the NYC subway system.  NY Lesson #1:  Don’t listen to strangers.  You’ll get lost.  #2.  There are express subways and local subways.  DON’T MIX THEM UP!  #3.  Be subway smart, and keep your map handy.  If in doubt, don’t ask a second stranger for a second opinion.  Just go to the MTA on-duty.  And that’s all we’re going to say about that!  But all in all, it was a great adventure, and as I like to say, it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.  Wow we had a great journey! 

That journey DID end in an amazing destination.  “The Top of the Rock”, which is the observation deck on the 67^th floor of the Rockefeller Center, provided us a phenomenal view of the city skyline.  We stayed until dusk, when the city lights just started to twinkle.

After a delicious lunch at the Premier Deli, Dave Chidley prepares students for their walk-through time square, with the final destination being The Highline park, in New York City on Sunday, October 8, 2017. By Emily Nutson

A tourist stops for a moment to take in all the lights and advertisements in Times Square, New York City on Sunday, October 8, 2017. By Emily Nutson

The Conductor of a New York City subway peeks her head out the window to make sure everyone is clear before departing, in New York City on Sunday, October 8, 2017. By Emily Nutson

Superhero, Flash, impresses the crowd after visiting Comicon in New York City, New York on Sunday, October 8, 2017.  Gina Robertson

Professors David Chidley and Richard Beland focus their attention on wall murals along Highline Park in New York City, New York on in New York City on Sunday, October 8, 2017. Gina Robertson

Young families participate in a variety of activities created by other locals, including creative painting along Highline Park, New York City, New York on Sunday, October 8, 2017. Gina Robertson

Locals and visitors alike enjoy this once-active railroad that has been repurposed into Highline Park in New York City, New York on Sunday, October 8, 2017. Gina Robertson

Dave Chidley looks up to the upper deck on the top of The Rockefeller Plaza as his student take photos of the New York skyline, in New York City on Sunday, October 8, 2017. By Emily Nutson

The view on the 67th floor of the Rockefeller Plaza looking out onto the Empire State Building, in New York City on in New York City on Sunday, October 8, 2017. By Emily Nutson

The lights of the big city seem to twinkle at dusk when viewed from the observation deck of the Rockefeller Centre (The Rock) in New York City, New York on Sunday, October 8, 2017. Gina Robertson

Image Challenge Winners

By: Elizabeth Hunt

Josh Cote surrounded by fellow photographers.

Classes have ended, exams written, final projects submitted, and we are ready for summer.
Before we continued on our individual photographic journeys, we all met one last time to
celebrate this year’s accomplishments and to reveal the winners of the 2017 Lambton College Digital Photography Image Challenge.

Always smiling Mike L'heureux

The Image Challenge is a competition held each year for first and second year digital photography students. Photographers from outside of the program are brought in to critique and score the images. The judges scores determine the winners as well as act as a grade for the assignment.

The Judging session is open to students and their guests. First year student, Josh Cote, explains how “hopes are high that you are going to win, but when you see the other entries, it's a humbling experience to see everyone with such great talent”.

First Year,  Overall Award, third place winner Shawna Lavoie

After a week of living in suspense, our students were eager to find out which images had really
wowed the judges. Tanis Wright says “There was excitement in the anticipation of announcements, particularly as we all had our own ideas about who we thought would win each category or which was the winning photo”.

As the winners were announced, students showed their support by cheering them on. Franky
MacDonald describes the experience as “truly exhilarating”.

First Year, Overall Award, second Place winner, Adam Shepley

First year first place overall award recipient, Olivia Kilp Watson says she “was so nervous! My heart was racing the entire time.

First year first place Overall Award recipient, Olivia Kilp-Watson, with Coordinator Richard Beland and Faculty David Chidley

Hearing my name being called was and still is unbelievable”. Second year student, Christina
Watts, who admitted to “rethinking the images I submitted” in our previous post says she “was
very surprised to win first overall; I was not expecting it at all”.

Second year,  Overall Award, second place winner, Elizabeth Hunt

“Winning gives you a confidence boost and in turn gives you more drive to see how much better you can become” explains Josh Cote, who placed both first and second in the nature category.

This year the judging panel included Craig Glover, Niki Patel and Paul Sorensen. Without our esteemed judges there would be no winners.  Thank to the panel for a tremendous job, adding great comments and feedback at the "live" judging event. 

Thanks also to supportive sponsors of the student award prizes.
-Camera Canada
-Nikon Canada
-Luxe Photo studio

Second year First Place Overall award recipient, The Geri Freeborn Memorial Award, winner Christina Watts, with Coordinator Richard Beland and Faculty David Chidley

First Year, Category Winning Images

Nature Category, 2nd Place (tie),  Josh Cote

Nature Category 2nd Place (tie), Prickly Peace by Theresa Chalmers

Nature Category, 1st Place, "Pollock In Nature" Josh Cote

Portrait Category, 1st Place, "The Immigrant" Olivia Klip-Watson

Portrait Category, 2nd Place, "Unstill Child" Theresa Chalmers

Unclassified Category, 2nd Place, "Freckles", Olivia Klip-Watson

Unclassified Category, 1st Place , "Equality" Olivia Klip-Watson

Still Life Category, 2nd Place, "Our Burning Love", Shawna Lavoie

Still Life Category, 1st Place, "Pour Me a Glass". Adam Shepley

First Year, Overall Winners, Additional Images

First Year,  Overall Award, third place "Half an Hour", Shawna Lavoie

First Year,  Overall Award, third place "Essence of Milk", Shawna Lavoie

First Year,  Overall Award, third place "Spreading Her Wings", Shawna Lavoie

First Year, Overall Award, second Place, "Confined".  Adam Shepley

First Year, Overall Award, second Place, "Rocker Girl".  Adam Shepley

First year Overall Award First Place, "Serious Child", Olivia Kilp-Watson

Second Year, Category Winning Images

People Category, First Place (tie),"Solemn People", Raspal Singh

People Category, First Place (tie), "Cruella Velvet" Christina Watts

People Category, 2nd Place (tie), "Within the Silence" ,Andrea Ochoa-Pineda

People Category, 2nd Place (tie), "Suspense", Emily Nutson

People Category, 2nd Place (tie), John Seo

Commercial Category, 2nd Place, "Fallen Angel", Gina Roberston

Commercial Category, 1st Place, "Monochrome", Christina Watts

Places Category, 1st Place, "Concrete Jungle",  Sarah Barry

Places Category, 2nd Place, "Geometric Prism", Sarah Barry

Second Year Additional Images, Overall Winners

2nd Place Overall Winner Portfolio, "Angel's Eyes", Elizabeth Hunt

2nd Place Overall Winner Portfolio, "Sweet Reverie", Elizabeth Hunt

2nd Place Overall Winner Portfolio, "Lost", Elizabeth Hunt

2nd Place Overall Winner Portfolio, "Window Washer", Elizabeth Hunt

1st Place Overall Winner Portfolio, "Blue", Christina Watts

1st Place Overall Winner Portfolio, "Cluster", Christina Watts

1st Place Overall Winner Portfolio, "Subtle Sass", Christina Watts