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Youth take cameras to streets Three-day photo event kicks off Nunavut Arts and Crafts Festival
Danielle Sachs
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 8, 2013
NUNAVUT
"All of you are already photographers."
That was the main point workshop instructor Darlene Patterson was trying to instill.
T.J. Marshman shows some of his older pictures to Pascale Arpin on the first day of a youth photography workshop. - Danielle Sachs/NNSL photo |
Leading a group of four Iqaluit youth, Patterson was teaching a basic photography workshop during the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Festival.
The workshop was geared toward youth and Patterson said she was happy with the turnout. Over three days, the youth received nine hours of instruction, with most of it being hands on learning with whatever cameras were provided.
Patterson, an art teacher based in Indiana, brought five cameras with her to donate to the Iqaluit Centennial Library. The cameras are available to be lent to anyone with a library card, and Patterson is hoping the donation will encourage participants to keep going with their newly acquired skills.
T.J. Marshman was the oldest participant, at 20 years old. A recent transplant from Yellowknife, Marshman has already been taking photos for years. He's recently started using the self-timer function on his camera to show himself in the middle of Nunavut scenery.
Others, such as Jessica Nelson, were excited to learn more about basic photography.
"I'm really excited," said Nelson.
Patterson stressed that it's not all about how big or expensive your camera is. You just need to remember a few things to take pictures.
"It's about home and community," she said.
"My students in Indiana took pictures of their surroundings, the pictures taken in this workshop will be printed and displayed next to them, before being sent back to the participants here. It's going to be an interesting contrast."
Displaying some of the youths' chosen photos in Indiana is just one of the display methods used.
Patterson is also going to showcase them on her blog and Pascale Arpin wants to organize an exhibition where parents and community members can come out and view the photos.
"It's like any kind of art, but instead of painting on a canvas you're painting with light," said Arpin.
With cameras in hand, the four participants were tasked with taking photos of anything they wanted. Friends, family, pets and scenery, Patterson encouraged them to take it all in.
"Take as many photos as you want. It's digital so if you don't like something you can just delete it," she said.
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