Creative contestants

Six students advance to finals in annual Photographer’s Forum competition

Six Liberty University students were recently announced as finalists in the Photographer’s Forum (PF) 35th Annual College & High School Photography Contest.

Their photos are featured in the PF 2015 book and given distinct recognition.

The yearly PF contest is open to high school and college photographers across the country. With a small entrance fee, students are allowed to submit an unlimited number of their own black and white or color photographs.

“I first heard about this contest from a friend who entered last year and won,” finalist and graphic design student Joel Isimeme said.

“Professor Isaacson (a photography professor at Liberty University) also talked about it in class and really encouraged me to give it a shot.”

Originally from Nigeria, Isimeme spent his summers at home drawing and painting.

Shortly after arriving at Liberty, he began experimenting with a friend’s camera and quickly discovered his passion for photography.

He saved his money and eventually bought his own camera and lens.

“I started shooting a lot wherever I went,” Isimeme said. “The picture I entered was one that I took while working at a camp in the summer.…Every Sunday the counselors would paint their faces in tribal colors, so I thought it would look really intense if I could capture it in low light.”

Finalist and criminal justice student Hannah Baker also said that she chose a dramatic look for her photo entry.

“We don’t ever get snow where I live, so I was taking a lot of photos and trying to see how it would work in the evening,” Baker said.

“I used flash on it and modified the settings and was able to get a good picture out of it.”

In elementary school, Baker found her niche for art. During high school, she took a few camera classes and fell in love with photography.

She is currently taking it as a minor at Liberty and plans to enter other photo contests in the near future.

Digital media student Dylan Harrell also added photography as a minor after he arrived at Liberty. He said that he has always enjoyed taking pictures and videos as a hobby.

“Even as a kid, I loved messing around with cameras,” Harrell said. “At the start of high school, I did videos and photos of me and my friends playing paintball and airsoft.…That’s what really got me doing it consistently.”

Currently, Harrell enjoys landscape photography and takes a majority of his favorite shots during his hiking adventures. “The photo I entered was from one morning when my girlfriend and I went to Humpback Rock on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a sunrise hike,” Harrell said.

“We went up when it was completely dark, and right when we got to the top, the sun peaked over the horizon and it made for an ideal shot.”

Graphic design student Brian Funderburke also uses hiking as a chance to practice his nature photography.

His contest entry featured a scenic view of Sharptop Mountain in autumn.

“My passion for photography started when I went on a mission trip to Ethiopia (sometime) after my freshman year,” Funderburke said.

“I borrowed a cheap point-and-shoot camera from my sister for the trip and the whole time I was taking pictures nonstop.”

During his time at Liberty, Funderburke’s passion for photography has grown.

He said the PF contest gave him a chance to get a sense of his competition, as well as gain exposure in the field of photography.

Ronald Johnson, a graphic design student, also used the contest as a platform to share some of his work.

Initially, Johnson was hesitant to enter because he was unsure of his skills as a photographer.

“In one of my classes, I was forced to enter a photography contest, so I decided to enter in this one while I was at it,” Johnson said.

“Sometimes you don’t feel as talented as other people, so I’m extremely grateful that my parents were willing to sacrifice their money so that I could test my skills and get that kind of encouragement.”

Johnson said he took the photo last year at the weekly Farmer’s Market on campus. Interestingly enough, it was the last photo that he submitted into the contest.

“I didn’t think it was good enough for the competition,” Johnson said. “My mom actually made me enter it, and looking back I’m so glad she did.”

Graphic design student Michela Diddle also entered one of her older, yet favorite photos into the contest.

In fact, she shot the picture in high school and rediscovered it when considering an entry for the PF contest.

“When I was a senior, I was editor of the yearbook and did a lot of the school’s photography,” Diddle said.

“I asked if I could shoot a dress rehearsal because I love ballet, so I went backstage and that was one of the scenes.…It was just perfect.”

Diddle said that since then, photography has given her a unique opportunity to break out of her comfort zone and build many new relationships.

She adds that she enjoyed participating in the contest because it gave her a chance to share both her work and passion with others.

“It’s such an honor to have your photo chosen out of all the other entries in the country,” Diddle said.

“It’s all about exposure, recognition and getting your stuff out there.”

Rutt is a feature reporter.