There is some debate in the art world about whether photographers are artists or “just photographers”. Thanks to the technology of the smart phone we can all take a quick photo, and instantly share those images with the world. No dark room, no chemicals, no particular attention to lighting required. So in many ways, I suppose we are all photographers. However, when you put a professional level piece of equipment in the hands of a thoughtful, patient and trained set of eyes – the result is a unique image that reflects point of view, a vision, and often the result is a work of art.
From Ansel Adams, to Gordon Parks to Annie Leibovitz, we’ve seen interesting people and places thru the lens of great photographers. Locally, we depend on professional and amateur photographers to capture the spirited moments of our lives and our environment, and we consider them to be reliable, photographers, story tellers and partners. They need little introduction as individuals, but many are part of a collective known as the Red River Photography Club (RRPC). The organization was formed by a group of Wichita Falls area photographers who simply love focusing a camera lens, sharing their skills and images with each other and, of course, with the public. Whether they are photo journalists, storm chasers, environmental or portrait photographers, their passion for the camera is a life-long love affair.
Last summer, members of the RRPC made a slight adjustment to their typical stance behind the camera, and stood beside a group of local teenagers, to become teachers, mentors and game changers. In an initiative organized by the Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and Culture, students worked with RRPC members to learn basic photography and camera techniques. It didn’t take long for the teens to fall in love with the camera as they captured whimsical images of nature that ultimately resulted in a public exhibition of their masterpieces. With the support of Ben Jacobi, RRPC President and Kevin Selle, a member of the club, area photographers and teaching artists participated in this pilot initiative-that by all accounts was a hit on both sides of the aisle. Photographers Elizabeth Hawley, Sharon Hyde, Diana Raynor, Mike Hicks and Mike Fiore demonstrated and directed student photographers thru a walking tour at River Bend Nature Center and the art making began. “I can’t believe we get to use the big camera”, commented one of the participants –overjoyed that the professional photographers so generously allowed them to use their professional equipment.
“When caring adults come together to encourage creativity in young people, nothing but magic happens”, says Margie Reese, Executive Director of the Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and Culture. And… the magic was infectious! The finale of the project was an exhibition of student photographs, hung alongside images taken by their instructors. But, the finale may have been the beginning of something more… the beginning of new skills for students; the beginning of a new dialogue between teenagers and adults; and a new understanding of the power of photography for the teenagers. In the process, the teenagers became artists, which after all, is what a photographer is.
Story by Margie Reese – Photo by Samuel Pak
