I was browsing the McKeesport Library’s website and I saw the opportunity for teens to take a four-week photography workshop with Martha Rial. I was so excited, I asked my daughter Ashley if she was interested, and then promptly signed her up!

The teens learned how to set apertures, shutter speed, and iso/film speed.

They learned the rule of thirds, leading lines, perspective, filling up your frame, layers in your photograph, and to have interesting lighting that makes your eye travel instead of boring flat lighting with no shadows.

We took photos at the Rose Garden in Renzie Park in McKeesport. It was my first time there, and there was a lot to see and photograph. The kids made the most of their time there, and they practiced taking photos of the flowers, the insects, and even of each other for subject matter. Martha doled out helpful strategies every step of the way. Later we walked over to the Renzie spray park to photograph the children having fun cooling off on a hot day.

I think all of the teens in the program had a great eye for seeing beauty and creating alluring images. They each had a unique perspective of how they viewed things through the lens.

The last week of the workshop we got a taste of Photoshop. We worked on editing our photos in the old Daily News Building. I was pretty eager myself to see the inside of the building, for I had never been in there before. It was a pretty cool experience to be where they printed the Daily News for 131 years.

Photoshop seemed a little daunting to me, but Martha effortlessly explained everything. I think the kids picked it up a lot quicker than I did though. We also learned a lot about photojournalism. Basically you shouldn't alter your images, just adjust the things that you would be able to correct in a darkroom. Like cropping, dust, or exposure for example.

I was very thankful for the opportunity to tag along and to learn so much from Martha. It was a wonderful experience for the kids and it was made possible by a grant from Point Park.

- jennifer mccalla