In the past month, the Photography students have started using the darkroom, developing photos in the traditional way. As the name suggests, photographers can make darkrooms completely dark for photo developement.

“Photography nowadays means someone can push a button and the camera does the work, and they’re considered a photographer,” said photography teacher Merilee Fisher.

Fisher explained that the difference between a digital camera and the film camera is that there actually is a developing process. Digital cameras do the developing for the user.

“They work the same–a digital is just meant to mimic a film camera. Everything that’s on the digital is taken from the film camera,” said Fisher.

Because the modern digital camera originates from the film camera, Fisher emphasizes her belief in the importance of both types of photography. 

“I try to balance how much time we do film and how much time we do digital. They leave this class they have a full understanding of how to use the equipment,” said Fisher.

Student Goals

Student Anaaliyah Rocha (‘29) was a photographer for her middle school, but wanted to learn more in high school. Despite her experience, the dark room was new to her.

“I’m learning how to actually do film. Going in the dark room–I have never done that before. It’s just a bunch of chemicals and different things to learn,” said Rocha.

Along with new experiences in photography this year such as the darkroom, Rocha wishes to improve on her general photography skills.

“I want to improve on making the best photograph out of the littlest things,” said Rocha.

Rocha’s classmate Elieza Paraiso (‘29) explained the learning curve of using the darkroom, even though the students were under Ms. Fisher’s supervision.

“When we went to the dark room mine wasn’t developing,” said Paraiso.

Fisher elaborated that developing your own photos can be difficult because it is not as simple as just pushing a button and seeing the image right away.

“You can’t see the image until you develop it. It’s different every time,” said Fisher.

“We have to know enough about the camera to know how to get the outcome that we want.”

Fisher was inspired by her dad to focus on photography in college. He was a pilot as well as a photographer. She learned by looking over his shoulder and eventually taking photos herself. She wishes to pass on the tradition to her students. “As long as I’m here, I’m wholly dedicated to making sure this lab gets a lot of use and that students get the chance to experience it,” said Fisher.