Stonington Middle School Students Learning About Photography

The assignment sounds simple enough. Take about 100 photographs and pick one that you’re happy with to share with the class. It was the only take a 100 and pick just one to share that a group of students had trouble with.

Mitchell Edwards, Christiana Congdon, Elise Huysman and Caitrin Huysman walked into Mystic’s after school with lots more than just one favorite photograph to share.

“I really like taking pictures,” Edwards said. “I took this one because it’s a clump of trees and foggy out.

Edwards came to the class with photographs from around the local area and some of his dog from right inside his home.

“What looks good to you looks good for reason,” said Roy Thomas of Black Dog Photography as he explained some to the students.

Thomas is teaching the four students plus one additional class about photography after school for six weeks as part of the Mystic Middle School Parent-Teacher Organizations after school program.

“We’re excited about it,” said Jeanna Congdon of the MMS PTO. “It keeps them busy.”

The MMS PTO offered several after school programs including a fitness class and guitar class. Each class has a different fee associated with it. The students are dropped off by the bus afterschool and a PTO member makes sure they get to their destination safely.

Thomas’s classes, which cost $90, were the most popular sign-up and early on in the six-week class the students seemed glad of their choice.

“It’s fun,” Elise Husyman said, while Christiana added, “It’s really informational.”

The students bring whatever camera they had at home and Thomas said while he teaches them to use whatever tool they have in their hand he is more concerned about teaching them about light and composition.

“Supposedly I’m good at explaining complicated concepts,” Thomas said.

It’s not his first foray into teaching. For the past eight years he taught at a weekend of photography in New Jersey though this is his first time teaching a younger crowd.

“It’s neat when you see the light bulb go off in their head,” Thomas said. “It’s the coolest reward to give them something; that they’re going to use.”

The students and Thomas are hoping that if the class goes well and there is enough interest Black Dog Photography will offer a photo safari camp in the summer.

“I’m trying to put photography as an art form on the map,” Thomas said.