<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622575701590.png" alt="Though this image was created for a specific project in Digital Photography 1, sophomore Jessica Fitzgerald's reflection in the broken mirror emanates a feeling of frustration even when photographing a self-portrait, says Topeka West High School digital photography teacher Jason Berryman. (Submitted)" />
 <figcaption>Though this image was created for a specific project in Digital Photography 1, sophomore Jessica Fitzgerald's reflection in the broken mirror emanates a feeling of frustration even when photographing a self-portrait, says Topeka West High School digital photography teacher Jason Berryman. (Submitted)</figcaption>
 </figure>By JASON BERRYMAN Topeka West High SchoolTo say the least, this school year in the teaching profession has been challenging.
 I believe many teachers would agree with that assessment, especially 
when working with remote students. From a perspective of teaching the 
arts, how to get supplies to students? How do students submit a jewelry 
assignment via Google Classroom? How to teach a lesson on Illustrator 
when students are working on Chromebooks?Luckily, digital 
photography worked out easier for my students because most have access 
to a digital camera on their cell phones. But teaching remotely, and 
then in person (with only half a class in the morning and the other half
 in the afternoon), then remotely again, then completing the school year
 with most of the student body in person and a smaller number remotely —
 much of the details about photography have either been gleaned over or 
not covered.Though the overall quality
 of student photography dipped a little, what drastically increased was 
students’ understanding of what they can (or cannot) accomplish with the
 camera on their cell phones and a few free photo-editing applications.American photographer Chase Jarvis stated it best: “The best camera is the one that you have with you!”Two portraits by Topeka 
West juniors Austin Schimmel and Lily Salazar precisely capture the 
daily life that we all have been living for over a year: masks! I can 
honestly say that in all my years of teaching I’ve never had students 
submit photos where half of the model’s face is covered by a cloth mask.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622575772141.png" alt="“Kick,” a photograph by Topeka West High School junior Austin Schimmel. (Submitted)" />
 <figcaption>“Kick,” a photograph by Topeka West High School junior Austin Schimmel. (Submitted)</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622575805666.png" alt="“Tallulah,” a photograph by Topeka West High School junior Lily Salazar. (Submitted)" />
 <figcaption>“Tallulah,” a photograph by Topeka West High School junior Lily Salazar. (Submitted)</figcaption>
 </figure>Still life images of clothes hanging in a closet and a softly lit potted plant were both created at home by senior Ella Teter and junior Nolan Noonan. These images are notable for their skill, composition, and the fact that both were captured with cell phone cameras while students were working remotely away from the high school.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622575848665.png" alt="“Repetition,” by Topeka West High School senior Ella Teter. (Submitted)" />
 <figcaption>“Repetition,” by Topeka West High School senior Ella Teter. (Submitted)</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622575872246.png" alt="“Desklamp,” by Topeka West High School senior Nolan Noonan. (Submitted)" />
 <figcaption>“Desklamp,” by Topeka West High School senior Nolan Noonan. (Submitted)</figcaption>
 </figure>Lastly, I absolutely had to show off senior Taylor Reinert’s “Tiny Planet” image just for the fact that it is so cool. Taylor created the photograph by flying his unmanned aerial vehicle over the west edge of the Topeka West campus. He then captured a 360˚ panorama of the landscape using his cell phone (that he uses to also to control the UAV) camera. Lastly, using Adobe Photoshop, Tayler bent the panorama into a circle creating the tiny planet.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622575913826.png" alt="“Tiny Planet,” by Topeka West High School senior Taylor Reinert. (Submitted)" />
 <figcaption>“Tiny Planet,” by Topeka West High School senior Taylor Reinert. (Submitted)</figcaption>
 </figure>Every year, pandemic or not, I am always amazed by our students’ talent and creativity.Jason Berryman teaches digital photography and chairs the art 
department at Topeka West High School. He shares student work on the <a href="https://twestphotosynthesis.blogspot.com/">Photosynthesis blog</a>. Republished courtesy the <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/06/01/what-this-year-looked-like-through-the-lens-of-kansas-high-school-photography-students/">Kansas Reflector</a>.

What 2020 looked like through the lens of Kan. photography students