WESTLOCK – R.F. Staples School Media Arts students recently had the opportunity to get some hands-on experience with their cameras at the Canadian Tractor Museum in Westlock.
Media Arts teacher Veronica Scallion said 19 Grade 11 and 12 students in her intermediate and advanced classes took part in the unique venture, taking hundreds of photos of tractors and other displays at the museum.
Scallion said the opportunity came about when the musuem’s executive director Barb Kostiw suggested the students could turn their lens on the museum.
“Obviously, we take lots of photos in the school where we have some studios, but it’s great to have that opportunity to have an authentic learning environment that not every photographer would have that ability to go to,” said Scallion.
The students worked in groups over a five-day rotation, she said, and will be dividing up their photos that way, but adds there will be some more learning and instruction on her part.
“So, there’s lots of work to kick it up a notch,” she said. “It will mostly be cleaning up. We’re definitely not doing really intense composites. “
The budding photographers also had the opportunity to do some product photography with some of the smaller scale models and some photojournalism.
“Having those real experiences is amazing. It took a lot of planning from both parties; both the school and the museum. But definitely, we’re excited for the results. It’s worth it to give that authentic learning experience. They may not ever be able to have full rein over a museum again.”
The ultimate goal, she says, is to provide the museum with content for social media and promotional purposes “so our high school students are working on a product that’s going to be used in real life … it’s always a really exciting moment to see your work used and published.”
