Our first student photography workshop was a stunning
success! We collaborated with some of National Geographic’s finest photographers
and executive photo editors who taught our students the fundamentals
of photography. The students in turn created a dazzling kaleidoscope
of landscape, animal, portrait, and still life photography. Our photographers
ranged in age from nine to fifteen years old, and represent Rappahannock
and surrounding Virginia counties.
Our week began with a bus ride and tour of National Geographic’s
headquarters in Washington, D.C. We were treated to lunch and a stunning
video presented by Executive Editor Chris Johns. Students also got a
chance to see how mechanical engineers made special cameras and camouflage
blinds in which photographers hide.
Students went out in the field each day to shoot and then returned
to edit and choose their favorite photos of the day. At the end of
the week, we again returned to National Geographic headquarters where
each student’s
six favorite photos were judged by two executive photo editors. The students,
along with the editors, choose their top two photos. This exhibition
represents all of the winning photographs.
SPARK! staff and students wish to thank the gracious and incomparably
talented National Geographic staff. We also want to extend special
appreciation to Executive Editor and Rappahannock resident Chris
Johns and photographer Mark Thiessen. They believed in our vision
and assisted us in transforming dreams into reality! |
