Speaking at North Penn High School

Photographer shares tips with North Penn students

Friday, January 30, 2009 7:04 AM EST
By DAN SOKIL
TOWAMENCIN — Five classes of North Penn High School photography students were able to learn from a professional Thursday, local photographer (and 2001 NPHS graduate) Melissa Medlin."Notice how you have this shadow in front of their face. You really want to angle your subjects toward the light all the time," said Medlin, as she posed two models for the class: her 7-year-old sister Madison and 9-year-old brother Zachary."OK, when you're two people like this, make sure they relax their hands so everything looks very natural. If you can put his inside hand on her shoulder, like this, it really brings things together and makes a nice portrait, but don't put his other hand up too because it'll look like it's coming from out of nowhere," Medlin said.Acting as an artist-in-residence to photography teacher Joanne Watkeys, Medlin visited classes at North Penn on Tuesday to talk about her background and business, MGM Photography, while her two models helped out by posing for photos Thursday morning. "I find that as a teacher, sometimes you can tell the kids something and they might not really learn or absorb it, but if someone professional comes in and shows them, it really makes a big difference," said Watkeys.Four of Watkeys' digital photography classes and one group of teacher Mike Werner's were able to learn from the experts, thanks to a grant from the district's Educational Foundation."It's a great opportunity for my classes, because we've only really done portraits once so far this year and it was outside," said Werner."Most of my kids just went off and did portraits on their own then, so this is a great opportunity for me to actually be around and able to help them out while they're doing it," he said.A backdrop and studio lights (some belonging to Medlin and some to the school) transformed the typical high school classroom into a miniature studio Thursday morning, while Medlin snapped and showed students her successful shots and then passed on her tips for them."Always take a test shot first, just to check your lighting and make sure everything lines up. OK, Zach, now put your chin up just a little bit, and give me that cool look, like 'Yo, what's up, all the ladies love me,'" she said.Paying attention to detail, Medlin told the students, and getting your subjects to relax is key, so telling a joke or acting silly for younger children can be a big help."Madison is a very giggly girl, so once you start her laughing it's hard to stop sometimes, but after you get them laughing always be ready to snap that perfect shot," she said.And after learning how to shoot portraits, Medlin moved out to the hallway where sunlight reflecting off bright snow provided plenty of natural light for student photographers to play with. "Earlier today it was really bright, so we had to turn down our exposure a little bit, but look at the way that catch light is reflected in her eyes, which I think is really flattering. If you see something interesting like that, go with it, like look at the way her eyes are really looking pretty here," she said.

For more information on Medlin's photography company, visit http://www.mgmphotography.net/.

Thank you North Penn High School for having me come in. I had a great time speaking with the students and would love to come back again!