Concentric Circles.
Two weeks ago, I returned home from my eleventh straight JEA National Conference. Since I left Anaheim, have been searching for the correct metaphor to explain this conference. I had been considering, "full circle," but that was not quite right. Concentric Circles describes this last convention better.
Three years ago, Anaheim hosted the convention. It was the last time I attended a convention while still employed by Brooks Institute. Brooks Institute has been absent from JEA until this convention. Mitch Watts represented Brooks for two days. Many people were thrilled to see Brooks at the conference. Seeing Mitch also reminded me of the early challenges of educating Brooks about JEA. In some way, both organizations are similar. They both have a large national reputation, but not in the same circles. Mitch represented the school well. At my first convention, I probably looked more like the photo behind Mitch. (See the first photo.)
JEA 2011 Return to Anaheim - Images by bryan farley
At my first convention in San Francisco, I also met Mark Murray and Bradley Wilson. I read the schedule and quickly learned that I should meet these people. I visited Mark's Photoshop workshop. Now, I often visit the him and the students at every convention. At San Francisco, Mark and Bradley quickly grabbed me for the portfolio review. I ran from my booth to a room with 13 students sitting in a circle waiting for me. I may have been the most confused.
"You teach best what you most need to learn." Richard Bach, Illusions
After my first JEA portfolio review, I started a portfolio workshop with Mark Murray. Jim McNay, one of my mentors, helped me create the first presentation. In Anaheim, McNay presented with me and Murray. You can see Jim and me together in the slideshow. I took the photo. It is a "self-portrait plus."
Jim attended the last JEA Anaheim convention. In 2008, the JEA photography judges discussed changing our judging and critiquing system from the circle review to something that would be more educational for all the photography students. Now the first round of judging is done online and the judging is done digitally. Before, judges would arrange the photos on the floor or table and discuss our favorites. I miss the late night arguments. I did not miss them while we were having them. In 2008, a few of us also discussed another project that has not come full circle. Maybe some day it will. Not all circles close at the same time.
There are other spirals . The conventions are organized by local teachers. I probably met Tracy Anne Senna or her students several years ago at my first conference. This year, I presented with one of her former students. Ina Herlihy and I taught a workshop on concert photography. I also saw Ina speak at the opening ceremony. She calmly told an audience of a couple thousand people how she started with a goal of photographing every 2008 Presidential campaign stop in the Bay Area. If you want to see where this lead, check out her website. These photos are from high school.
I hesitate to mention that Ina is the 2010 National Student Journalist of the Year. I started working with her before she won the award, and I have not seen it change her. When I think about her, I remember the old expression, "that and a dollar will buy you a cup of coffee." She has internalized, "The National Student Journalist of the Year Award and a camera will get you a photo... just don't forget the camera, and the press pass, and extra batteries, and a back up plan, and...."
As I write this, I realize that I am claiming that I am a better person, because I know Ina. Yeah. I am. I work harder, because I see how hard she works. Because she kept her commitments, I work harder at keeping my own commitments. I spend more time with other people's children, because I know that they might be the next great student. I connect with The Grammy Foundation, because I might be able to create the next circle so that our JEA Digital Concert Photography Project educates more students about music journalism.
I am also learning how to be a better teacher. Now that other students have started contacting her for advice, and I see how well she communicates with them, I am remembering to be more clear and more kind.
Many of us teach so that we can change lives. Often, we teach so that we can be changed.
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