Southern Local focusing their photography skills | News, Sports, Jobs

Art students at Southern Local High School are learning the finer points of digital photography with a new College Credit Plus course offered for grades 9-12. Art educator Laurie Ronshak instructs the program and pupils learn all aspects of creativity behind a lens. From left, Gabryelle Dietch, Rachel Lynch, Colton Spahlinger and Brody Brown. (Submitted photo)

SALINEVILLE — Students are focusing their skills on a new subject with a digital photography course at Southern Local High School.

Art educator Laurie Ronshak said the program was in its first year through Eastern Gateway Community College’s College Credit Plus Program and she serves as professor/instructor. Students in grades 9-12 can participate and earn credit towards an associate’s degree.

“Students learn about how to properly hold their Canon digital camera, how to take photos manually and automatically, use lenses, filters, ISO, aperture, lighting, exposure, composition and rule of thirds,” Ronshak said. “[They also learn about] taking moving pictures, shadows, portraits, landscapes and various prompts.”

She added that each project is based on a different prompt throughout the week and students then select their best photo to submit for class.

“They discuss how they took the photo, how they set up their lighting, composition and exposure and why they selected their photo,” she said.

Officials and students alike noted the benefits of the new course, saying it offered tools to bolster creativity and they noted a lot more goes into composing a good shot.

“I love the class and the engagement with the students,” said Superintendent Tom Cunningham.

“There’s more to taking a photo than just pressing the button,” said student Colton Spahlinger.

Ronshak said courses were suggested by the College Credit Plus advisor at EGCC and she chose the digital photography course out of five available art classes. Meanwhile, students also learned art history during the first semester.

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