Summer Goertzen

A picture can say a thousands words; one in particular speaks volumes to Summer Goertzen.

The image is of a blue, black and purple flower she shot up close, then enlarged and framed during Phase 2’s Photography project.

“You could see every single detail. It almost looks like a face. It’s really interesting and the colours were really nice too. I didn’t know I was that good at it,” the 15-year-old says.

“It made me feel really good because it made me feel like I had accomplished something. I wasn’t the only one thinking it was good. Other people liked it too.”

Instructor Ron Gilfillan opens up the world of digital photography to Phase 2 participants at Technical Vocational High School, home to the country’s largest photography program.

Trekkers have access to professional cameras, lenses and lighting. The 8,000-square-foot space also boasts nine studios and no shortage of props or backgrounds. They not only learn how to measure light but become familiar with its different forms, including hard, soft, butterfly and Rembrandt.

And they take their work from camera to computer, learning techniques in Photoshop.

“They’re not in a regular classroom trying to learn photography. They’re in a high-end commercial studio and a state-of-the-art computer lab and handling professional equipment and it gives them the confidence that they are professional,” Ron says.

“You can take a million pictures and the outcome is different every time. It’s never the same. You’ll never get the same picture twice.”

He believes the key is empowering budding photographers and instilling confidence. Results then follow. “The images they create are phenomenal.”

Fresh flowers are brought in for macro (close-up) photography; friends and family come by for portraiture; and blue and green screens go up to show how to eliminate backgrounds (the same technology TV weather forecasters use).

One recent student managed to put his friend in front of an F-16 fighter jet he previously shot at an air show.

The element of surprise is what Summer likes most about photography.

“You can take a picture of whatever you like and can edit it so that it’s something incredible and the colors can just pop out at you, and it can be whatever you want it to be,” she says.

“You can take a million pictures and the outcome is different every time. It’s never the same. You’ll never get the same picture twice.”

The session culminates with a gallery show for family members in conjunction with the Phase 2 culinary students who cater the event.

“It’s a huge hit,” Ron says.