Creating Crafts with Photos

Thanks to Esperanza Altamar for coming out last week and doing an awesome worksop with the Shutterbugs where they got to make crafts from their photos that they will eventually sell at fundraising events. Thanks Espy!

Photo Day in the Snow!

The Light Room hosted the Shutterbugs last Saturday as the kids braved the snow and spent the day in Fairmount taking photos and developing their first rolls of film. Thanks to Lightroom members Joshua Marowitz, Annarita Gentile, and Erin Yard for taking the time to work with us. Special thanks to member Al Wachlin Jr. who made this whole day happen!

Taking photos in park.

In Al Wachlin's van on the way to the lab.

Shutterbugs along with Lightroom members Annarita, Josh, and Al.

More Shutterbugs developing with Lightroom member Erin.

Christopher discovers Snapple ATM!

Rashawn about to be loaded into truck.

My High schooler's Franchesca, Jannomys, and Tania who continue to be in the Shutterbugs even after graduating from Stetson!

At the Sal y Dulce Festival

The Shutterbugs and I were excited to be at this year's Sal y Dulce Colombian Holiday Festival which was sponsored by Acción Colombia. Check out the cool pix!

Closing Reception of 2 Cultures

My Shutterbugs were on hand to help me celebrate the closing of my latest exhibition, "Two Cultures," at the Light Room Gallery. In May of next year the gallery will be hosting a show of the Shutterbugs' work along with their partners from Grupo Flormorado in Colombia. Stay tuned for more info!

Wissahickon Walk

After visiting the seniors at the Germantown Adult Center I took the Shutterbugs to one of my favorite places in Philadelphia, Forbidden Drive, which runs alongside the Wissahickon River in Fairmount Park. Walking along this path it is easy to forget that you are still in Philadelphia as here are no cars honking or whizzing by, just the peaceful sounds of nature.

Working with Seniors

For the past 2 months the Shutterbugs have been working on an intergenerational project with a wonderful group of seniors from the Germantown Adult Center. In this exciting project the students will document photographically the life journey of their partner senior. Their final projects will be exhibited in the Spring along with other projects from around the city.

Students and seniors getting to know one another.

Teaching seniors how to edit photos and make slideshows.

Stetson Art Teacher Mary Pat Coyle teaches students and seniors how to make image transfers with liquid starch.

Below: Seniors show off their artwork.

Shutterbugs at Hispanic Choice Awards

Members of the Shutterbugs and I at this year's Hispanic Choice Awards on Oct. 11,  at the Kimmel Center.

First Friday in Old City!

Today the Shutterbugs had their first art gallery experience when we went to First Friday in Old City to see an exhibition of photographs by Al Wachlin, Jr.,  co-president of The Light Room (which has donated much equipment and supplies to the Shutterbugs). First Friday is a FREE monthly event where all the galleries in Old City have openings showcasing new art. The event attracts thousands of people and creates a festival type atmosphere. Check out the images and video below!

Here are the Shutterbugs along with teacher Mr. Rocco and staff from Rustica Pizza in Northern Liberties. Rustica Pizza is a sponsor of the Shutterbugs (and has great pizza!).

Walter photographing some sculpture in Northern Liberties.

Shutterbugs with photographer Al Wachlin Jr. at his opening in Old City.

Artsy bike rack.

Cool photo of the famous Christ Church in Old City.

You meet lots of interesting people at First Friday. Isn't Christmas in December?

Pinholes in the Snow

Today we took pinhole photographs in the snow. Besides having fun the purpose is for the students to have images to share with their Colombian partners. It never snows in La Florida and most of the students there have never seen snow so these photographs are particularly relevant.

my neighborhood

I love this picture because it shows me and what I love about my neighborhood. The shutterbugs and I made our first pictures with pinhole cameras. We had difficulties at first but we finally did it. My head is blurry because ether me or the camera moved. We have to decide how much exposure time we need by how much light there is. My name is Jashira.

franchesca & rashawn

Franchesca & Rashawn

Rashawn decided to take a picture in front of the church, so we did. We made a simple mistake, he got into the picture 15 seconds late so he came out like this, which I think was a good mistake. I'm blurry because I moved too much but I don't really care because it looks awesome and love it.

Pinky and I

I chose to take this picture because it shows me and my crazy friend Franchesca. This picture is black and white because we used pin hole cameras. This is like back in the day technology but now cameras are mostly digital and advanced. The real deal to this is easy, the light goes in through a little hole in the pin hole camera and the picture goes on the special photo paper (like film) and depending on how much light goes in is how dark or light your picture comes out. So that's how come it's black and white. The picture is a little blurry because Franchesca moved too much during the picture while taking. Hope you like my picture, Enjoy.

Darkroom Video!

Here is a special treat, my students' first time in the darkroom developing their photograms. Those people who have been in a darkroom before know the magical experience of watching your first print appear in the developer. Now, thanks to our new night vision-equiped video camera, you can experience it along with them. You also get to see the entire development process from start to finish.

Darkroom Up and Running!

After what seems like an eternity, our darkroom is finally operational! For our first lesson the kids created photograms using objects they found lying around our unused 4th floor. The kids were very excited about their experiences and look forward to posting their first images next week. Stay tuned!