TJ’s photo club is dedicated to telling stories with pictures.
Nicole Blake contemplates the proper exposure for her next shot. photo by Jeff Coleman
Thomas Jefferson is known throughout Denver for its Computer Magnet program. Within this program, students have a choice of what course of study they would like to follow, and they have the options of software engineering, web design, 3-D animation, magazine, broadcasting, newspaper, and of course, photojournalism.
Before the class of 2011 entered Thomas Jefferson, a lot of the students knew about the photojournalism class, but most did not participate, even when they became sophomores and the class was offered to them. Before this current school year, there were about three photojournalism 1 classes and only one photojournalism 2 class (Photo 1 being taught by Jeff Coleman, the current photography teacher, and Photo 2 was instructed by Matt Spampinato, who passed the job onto Coleman two years ago). Ever since then, Coleman has been able to focus his attention to photography, teaching, and instructing the students above and beyond his job description. “I love working with the students,” Coleman says.
Within the past two years, Coleman has begun an after-school student run photo club, where the students go out and take pictures of landscapes, motion, and artistic photographs, and try to embody the real art of photography without being in a classroom environment and having to think about an assignment. The club is, for the most part, student-run this year, with Club President being Junior Marelle Davey and vice president being junior Madison Bennett. “I love the fact that the club is mostly student-run, although Coleman is there when we need some assistance,” Davey said. “We also are using Nikon D-40s, which are extremely nice cameras and I love that we can use them and go out and have fun,” says Davey.
The photo club is created for those people interested in going beyond the classroom to enhance and enrich the photography experience. “My favorite part about the club is working with the students in a more relaxed environment,” Coleman commented about the club. This club meets the first Wednesday of the month and they have big plans to go take photos of landscapes, closeups, downtown, and points beyond. “We went to one of the football games as a group and got some really neat photographs. However, some of my favorite things to photograph are nature, flowers, trees, and bunny rabbits!” Davey said, laughing.
A major goal of the photography club is to give students a way to express themselves using more advanced techniques. The club is still accepting anyone who would like to join in room 107, and they are planning on continuing on their expeditions all the way until May.
