“In Your Backyard” is the visual exploration of how people deal with problems that arise in their life through the use of still life and landscape photography. This neighborhood is perfect on the surface, while right in the backyard they have this overrun forest filled with debris and litter. There are those of us that sweep things under the rug…everything is OK on the surface of day to day life; yet, underneath the surface there is a growing pile of problems slowly accumulating. My hope was that through this series viewers can reflect on themselves and think about what type of things they’re allowing to reside in their space.

Jack Burkman, Vancouver City Council member, has presented us with the opporturtunity to showcase high school digital photography students’ work at the new Vancouver City Hall. The purpose is to capture individual students’ positive and creative vision on the theme of “My Vancouver.”

The intent is to create an installation of Evergreen students’ work in the foyer of the new city hall, tentatively from June 1 through the summer. The opening day and reception coincide with the June First Friday arts event. Individual student works may be chosen for permanent exhibition in public spaces, published in Vancouver tourism materials, and/or receive public recognition by city officials.

HHS STEPPED UP! Here are some images from Emmert’s classes:

ONE HUNDRED PORTRAITS photographed in Emmert’s room for the HHS Confidence Challenge!

That’s PROOF of ONE HUNDRED people who

went without make-up, hair products, jewelry, and brand names
and (perhaps even more impressively)
made their way up to my room to prove it,
and be photographed at their “weakest.”

Congratulations, on your strength Heritage!

Heritage High School is hosting CONFIDENCE WEEK starting March 26th.
It will be a rally to fight against misrepresentation of women in the media, and stand against the twisted importance of outward appearance that pop culture pushes on us.
To show the world you love yourself just the way you are, wear a plain t-shirt, no makeup, and use no hair products.
True confidence comes from within!

Stop by Emmert’s room 601 to be photographed as your all-natural, beautiful self.
Come by anytime Monday-Friday between 7:30-1:00.
Your image will be included in a mosaic celebrating our strength!

On a scale unprecedented in human history, the media communicates cultural values, dictates gender norms, and tells us who we can and cannot be. The collective message that seeps into our subconscious is that women’s value lies primarily in youth, beauty and sexuality. As a result, both men and women have a limited understanding of who women are and what women can be, leading to the under-representation of women in key leadership roles and skyrocketing levels of eating disorders, sexual assault, cosmetic surgery, and exploitative pornography. In this climate of dangerous stereotypes and rigid gender roles, women are rarely seen as powerful figures, and it is difficult for the average woman to feel powerful herself.
-Jennifer Newsom

Digital Photo I + II January-February Outstanding Images