“I remember freshman year I would always look at the photography room, I would always walk by it and I would always say it takes no talent to be a photographer, it’s not art and I realized I was so wrong,” former Howell student Jason Osborne says.
In 2017, a student named Jason Osborne presented “It doesn’t take talent to find your talent” at the Howell High School TedTalk event. Through the presentation, he explained how he turned school from a negative experience into a positive one through finding his passion; photography.
“To see so many of my friends being successful, it motivated me so much and it makes me want to strive more in school and realize how many opportunities school really gives you, it’s your free opportunity to explore new options and explore these classes,” Osborne says.
Advanced Photography, a home for students who call photography their passion, has been dissolved mid year. This class has been a staple at Howell High School for many years.
“It hurts. It hurts them, disappoints them, but I know some will be able to take it next year. But for the seniors who are in this class it’s disappointing that this was their one option to continue and we’re asking them to choose a different elective option,” Principal Mr. Jason Schrock says.
Usually around twenty students fill up the classroom, but this year there were only five. Although many of the students actually enjoyed the smaller class size as they have grown close, ultimately that’s what led to the dissolvement.
“It took me until my senior year to get my prereqs done to take this class so it was definitely a big disappointment. I didn’t know any of the people in that class until I was in that classroom with them and now we have a group chat together. I mean, we’re all like friends, we talk outside of school so it’s going to be weird, I guess, not like having that,” Senior Kaitlyn Ward says.
Some of the students in the class are heartbroken over this news as this class gave them many opportunities.
“I was a mixture of two; being sad and mad because this is my favorite class and it was supposed to go all year, so I was really excited to see what we were going to do second semester, and like those projects and stuff like that, so I was just mad and sad at the same time because like that’s not going to be a thing anymore,” Junior Natalie Chaplin says.
According to the administration, it was not an easy decision to make. Although it hurts the photography students, it benefits many others.
“When we look at the number of students who have needs during the second semester for their elective options. We look at how our schedules are put together and there’s not room for them in the elective options we have then we look at what classes are the smallest, and this was one very small. Ultimately, we have to weigh the needs of many students who need electives with the handful that needed this one class,” Principal Schrock says.
This class will be replaced with a 3D design class, which doesn’t require prerequisites so any student can take it. It will be taught by the same HHS art teacher, Mr. Jason Lounds.
“As an artist and an art teacher, I enjoy all forms of art and am certain that the new class will be fun, but my love in the arts is in photography. I have my MFA in Fine Art Photography so my level of expertise is the highest in this area and I feel I have the most to share in this area,” Mr. Lounds says.
This class was the next step for those who fulfilled the prerequisites of Photography 1 and Photography 2. It also plays a crucial role in preparing students who would like to pursue a career in photography/art.
“Advanced Photography enables students interested in pursuing photography at the highest level to gain experience in studio lighting, advanced photography techniques, and advanced Photoshop editing. Students can also work on their AP and college entrance portfolios while in this class, which could earn them many thousands of dollars,” Mr. Lounds says.
Along with enhancing photography skills, the course also teaches technical skills with collaboration and feedback as a huge feature of the class.
“My favorite part is probably collaborating with my peers, with all five of us spreading our creativity, ideas and just seeing what everyone else comes up with too,” Chaplin says.
The Advanced Photography class allowed the students to access materials that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to use. It also allowed them dedicated time and inspiration to hone in on their projects.
“I won’t really have time to take photos. I do have my own camera which is nice but I won’t have a studio anymore, I won’t have a nice computer to edit photos on. So, if I do decide to continue my photography work I won’t be able to have that same experience because I just don’t have the equipment or the space to do it,” Ward says.
However, this class has not entirely vanished yet. Principal Schrock is confident that this class will make a comeback next year. They are planning to offer it so long as students are interested.
“Any time we cannot offer our most advanced and proficient students an avenue to continue to grow and pursue their interests it makes me sad. We will be rethinking and considering redesigning our advanced classes to make them more accessible and flexible to student schedules in the future,” Mr. Lounds says.
