For sophomore Lauren Schmelzer, her class’s digital photography project allowed her to research and find inspiration from an artist close to home.

“(My project is) on Jim Brandenburg. He’s a local photographer from northern Minnesota. I already knew some stuff about him and I really liked his photography,” Schmelzer said.

According to digital photography teacher Martha Ortman, digital photography students created a presentation about an artist of their choice and took pictures based on the artist’s photography.

“They are doing a research project. They got to look up photographers and try to find a photographer they were interested in and then do a little research on the photographer,” Ortman said. “Then they have to find three of the photographers photos that they would like to copy in the same styles.”

Sophomore Maggie Klaers said she chose Vivian Maier as her artist because she enjoys her black and white photography. 

“I chose her because her pictures were kind of interesting and I think they were in the 1900s in mostly New York, and they are black and white street photography,” Klaers said.

Ortman said the project teaches students to observe photography more closely and allows students to learn about new artists.

“It forces them to look more deeply into the photograph and actually apply skills to their photos. Then they have to present it to the class in like a powerpoint or a Prezi so that the other people will get to know a little bit more about other photographers they might not have heard about before,” Ortman said.

Klaers said she learned how to identify elements and principles of photography in her artist’s work.

“It kind of helped me actually notice the elements and principles that are actually in each picture and actually think about taking those elements and principals and putting them into my own picture on purpose,” Klaers said.

Schmelzer said the project allowed her to gain experience taking photos.

“(The project) helps me understand what other photographers do to make good-looking photos,” Schmelzer said. “It helps me improve my own photography.”