Kids corner: Middle school students learn the angles of photography

Teacher’s class gives youngsters a bit of fun and a potential career

Hugh McMillan

Kids Corner

I have long been fascinated with the quality of photography that pours from Michael Hunziker’s digital photography class at Key Peninsula Middle School.

So much so, I’m jealous of the incredibly high quality of his kids’ work. They see things most of us unknowingly pass by. And when his kids photograph them, they are almost invariably composed with exquisite plays of light, both natural and technical, and angles which are most imaginative.

Their work has been on display at several sites. Most notably, while some of the structure was still under construction at the MultiCare medical facilities near Uptown Gig Harbor and again, before the paint had dried, at St. Anthony Hospital on Canterwood Boulevard.

Both are permanent rotating displays worthy of the attention and praise of professionals. And they are the product of kids not yet in high school.

Peninsula High School freshman Kamryn Minch thanks her experience with Hunziker’s class for her continued attraction to and improvement on her work. She graciously permitted Kids’ Corner to use three examples of her titled art.

“I like (‘Farm Weather’) because it is different, the colors are simple yet bold,” she said. “‘Spirit of Washington’ reminds me of farms, and my favorite place to be is on a farm; this one is also the one I am most famous for.”

Of “Hope,” she said: “This one to me means hope because, in the darkest times, there will always be a small beacon of hope shining through.”

Minch’s classmate and fellow Hunziker alumna, Yvonne Breithaupt, was photographer of the year last year at KPMS.

“As a seventh-grader,” Breithaupt said, “I took it as one of my electives and found it quite fun. The next year, I also took it as one of my electives. I progressed quite fast and enjoyed it even more.

“It actually was one of my favorite classes,” she said. “I took many pictures outside of school and, in fact, the photo of Breanna Merrill with the Rubik's Cube became photo of the year. I was quite proud of myself!

Breithaupt said the course taught her many things, including framing and differences in aperture.

“Photography is one of my passions,” she said. “My lifelong goal is to become a wedding photographer or just travel the world and shoot everywhere. If that doesn’t happen, I want to keep it as a hobby for as long as I live. Wherever I go, my camera goes.”

I turned the tables on three shutterbugs, KPMS eighth-grader Shaelyn McKenzie and classmates Ashlee Ricketts and Steve Loska, by shooting them shooting subjects.

“Digital Photo is my favorite class because we have freedom,” McKenzie said. “We can take pictures of whatever we want.

“I took my pictures of (Ricketts) in the shade, and not in the sun, because it’s easier; she didn’t have to worry about the sun being in her eyes and the picture would turn out good either way. I wanted some color behind her, too, that’s why I picked the green bush. It added enough color but, at the same time, it wasn’t distracting.”

Ricketts, also in her second year of photography, said Hunziker’s class has given her a great opportunity.

“Ever since I started his class in seventh grade, I have been picturing my future as being a professional photographer,” she said. “With my passion of loving and riding horses, photography has opened doors for me to not only continue my competitive riding, but also to capture the moments with photos.”

The picture she took of McKenzie, she chose to shoot from the ground because of the angle.

“When you are standing there, trying to get a good, focused picture, you usually end up with the results not so good because you’re trying too hard to keep the camera still!” she said.

Classmate Steve Loska said he likes to be in photography because it makes him feel like he’s accomplished something important — “not reaching a certain rank on Halo 3 or any other video game.”

“I think that I will use this if I become a famous photographer, but I want to be a game developer,” he said. “I’m learning how to be a good photographer.”

Minch said her parents have always told her to become whatever makes her happy. So far, photography and farming are at the top of the list.

“Looking back at some of my work from the past months, I think there are many other photographers that are way better than me, and I still have a lot to learn,” she said. “Mr. Hunziker has taught me so much, and I just want to thank him for all his hard work towards helping all his students become better photographers. You’ll never know how much we appreciate it.”

Hugh McMillan is a longtime freelance writer for The Peninsula Gateway. He can be reached at 253-884-3319 or by e-mail at hmcmnp1000@centurytel.net.