Burton Center Clients Focus on Their Photographic Skills
February 1, 2009
By JENNIFER ANNIS
Index-Journal copy editor
Greenwood, SC - A photograph is an opportunity to see the world from a different point of view.
This is what 12 Burton Center clients learned in a photography class that was made possible from a grant for people with disabilities from the South Carolina Arts Commission and donations from the Digestive Disease Group.
- The class was comprised of three sessions: a lecture from local photographer Kendall Adams, which included information on how to use a digital camera; a meeting to choose subjects; and a day to journey out and take photographs.
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'Through Our Eyes,' a photography exhibit at jon holloway's sundance studio and gallery, by clients from Burton Center, shows "Vision and Ability" from the viewpoint of persons with disabilities and special needs. There is a reception from 6:30 - 8:30 PM Friday, February 6. The exhibit is part of Uptown Greenwood's First Friday activities. Greenwood photographer Kendall Adams worked with the Burton Center clients. | "For me, it was an opportunity to help the Burton Center and help expose their clients to an opportunity to allow them to express themselves in a different way....to just try and give them a chance to show other people how they see things," Adams said.
For many of the clients, this was the first time any of them used digital cameras, said Kathryn Smith, Burton Center Foundation community relations specialist.
On Jan. 23, the burgeoning photographers and Greenwood day program director Louise Robinson gathered around a table to discuss their work and experiences.
Excitement from the group filled the room, with several Center patrons bursting to talk about their work.
Answers were eagerly shouted out when asked what their subjects were.
"I took pictures of leaves," Latoya Wideman announced.
"I took pictures of a basketball from different angles," James Cowan declared.
"I took pictures of ducks!" Taylor Hall proclaimed.
Motorcycles, antique cars, churches, Chevrolet and Cadillac logos, birds in water - the list continued.
But the photographers aren't done yet.
"I've got a picture up here now," Cowan said, pointing to his head. "I'm going to do something different now."
His intended subject? A model.
The class was easy, all participants agreed.
"But you have to find the perfect pictures to take," Wideman chimed in.
Each student tested multiple angles for their pictures. For example, Cowan positioned himself on his back to get pictures of basketball nets.
"When you take a picture you have to take a picture you like best," Cowan said. "And if that doesn't suit you, take another."
The class did not only teach the skill of pointing a camera and clicking, but also of seeing beauty, Robinson said.
Before choosing subjects and using the actual camera, Adams gave each participant a frame with a 35mm hole in it, to practice looking through a different lens. Each student walked around the Burton Center and practiced taking imaginary pictures.
"Our job is to expose them to different activities to improve their quality of life," Robinson said of Burton Center clients, who have a wide range of disabilities and special needs.
One Burton Center patron who rarely speaks participated in the class. After choosing his subject, he talked a mile a minute about the topic, surprising Burton Center staff, Smith said.
Smith and Robinson said initially they didn't know if anyone would want to participate in the class. However, the response from the 12 students was so positive, they will be starting a photography club.
Robinson said she hopes the group can meet once or twice a month.
When asked who would join the club, a resounding "I will" filled the room.
In a phone interview, Adams said he was extremely pleased with the outcome of the class.
"Several of them, more than several, have pretty good eyes for composition," said Adams, who has been in the picture-taking field for 35 years and has a bachelor's degree from Long Wood University in print making photography and graphic design. Currently, he teaches at Piedmont Technical College.
The students' work will be displayed at an exhibit in jon holloway's sundance studio at 146 Maxwell Avenue as part of First Friday events on Feb. 6. Each participant will have two work samples.
"We just hope the public attends," Smith said, adding that several photographers plan to contribute their work to the Festival of Flowers photo exhibit, as well.
In March, the work will be displayed at the Federal Building, she said.
"Taking the photographs gave Burton Center consumers an outstanding experience. We try to broaden their abilities and knowledge of life skills," said J. Felton Burton, executive director of Burton Center.
"We are appreciative that our consumers were given this opportunity by the grant of S.C. Arts Commission and VSA (Vision, Strength, and Access) Arts of S.C. We are grateful to Digestive Disease Group for matching the grant," he said.
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