Photography and Digital Imaging students continue to draw national accolades

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Village in the Clouds, an award winning triptych by Holland College Photography and Digital Imaging student Adnan Saciragic.

Charlottetown, PE - Holland College Photography and Digital Imaging students continue to garner national recognition for their work. Recently, second-year student Adnan Saciragic placed in the top 30 of the Canadian Association of Professional Image Creators' (CAPIC) Rodeo4 competition for his compelling triptych Village in the Clouds, with the potential for a higher ranking when the final judging takes place later this year. Fellow second-year student Laura Brothers placed in the top 50 in the competition for her editorial image, Madman.

CAPIC Rodeo4 gives students a chance to display their work, and recognizes young innovators in photography and illustration professions. Students from all over the country enter their work in photography and illustration categories to win prizes and garner industry recognition.

Saciragic also submitted Village in the Clouds to the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) national image competition, where it received a merit award. From a field of approximately 400 student entries to the PPOC National Image Salon Adnan Saciragic placed first in the student commercial category with Village in the Clouds. The award also includes a $250 prize. Previously he won Student Photographer of the Year in the regional PPOC competition. Second-year students Melinda Lewis, Teresa Oldscamp and Ryan Wilson received acceptance awards in the same competition.

The recognition of the talent of the college's Photography and Digital Imaging students is in many ways a reflection of the programs innovative approach to training. Program instructor Alex Murchison encourages his students to enter competitions to hone their skills and gauge how they measure up against their peers. He also investigates ways to ensure that they have a competitive edge after graduation. For the past two years, Murchison has assigned students with the task of developing not just an online portfolio; but a DSLR (digital single lens reflex camera) video to promote their work. His efforts have not gone unnoticed on the national stage. Applied Arts, which describes itself as Canada's visual communications magazine, recently published an editorial about the project, which can be viewed at hollandcollege.com/media.

"Not only do the students gain a basic level of DSLR video experience, they have a promotional piece at the end of the project," Murchison explains. "The sessions go beyond how the video controls work on the camera and delve into film technique, helping to create a multi-level assignment. They fill out the dimension and personality of these emerging professionals. The videos have already helped students to secure quality work-term placements from Toronto to New York City."

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