That's the title of a recently completed photobook published by Studio 789, a student program sponsored by the Genesee Center for the Arts, Community Darkroom. It's an after-school photo club for about thirty 7^th to 9^th grade students at Wilson Foundation Academy in the City of Rochester. The program ran from early October through to early April. Last Friday evening, we had a wonderful Celebration and Opening for the Gallery Exhibit in Rochester City Hall. Each student received a copy of the photobook and was recognized for their work.



The five young ladies in my group really took to the darkroom work and the computer work in scanning images for the photobook. We had some college students provide the expertise in Photoshop and InDesign to help get the image editing and page layouts set. These were upper class students at the School of Print Media at Rochester Institute of Technology.



While working on the photographic prints, page designs and artistic endeavors, I could see much more than artistic and technical skills being developed. The intangiblesof cooperation, patience, appreciation for quality and pride in accomplishment all became evident.

Black and white removes the color and in a way simplifies a picture. We all look at a black and white images a bit differently. I think that they may require more brain power to process and understand them. It's the shades of gray that make the difference.



Special thanks to Chamere, Jenieya, Kathia, Monique and Tracy.

Now that it's after Easter, it's time to bring on some warm weather and springtime colors.