Photography has become ingrained into our lives. This all started with the camera obscura–a dark, mirroring projection room likely created in Aristotle’s time–and the practice of heliography in 1822, where Niépce used asphalt and lavender oil to create an image with light. Since then, we have gone from Kodak and Polaroid to Nikon and iPhones. The use of photography has evolved alongside us.

However, photography teacher Johanna Berzinski believes that due to how society is built, the vital skills and lessons of photography, as well as other creative or skill-based electives, aren’t as wide-spread as they could be.

“Unfortunately, students don’t often recognize the value in what they learn in their elective classes, and core classes are more focused on,” Berzinski said. “But I believe that these kids are inherently learning things that they will use for the rest of their lives.”

Photography is a creative outlet for many students at Madison. Throughout the levels of photography classes, students learn how to use cameras, learn about the various photo-taking techniques and how to navigate editing tools, such as Adobe Photoshop. One important skill these students learn is how to balance the use of editing in order to retain the originality of their photo.

“There is a place for heavily edited photos.” Berzinski said. “However, I think that unfortunately editing has really taken over the creativity part…Editing is a creative process in itself.” 

Along with navigating technology, students are shown how to use AI appropriately. Students use Adobe Photoshop, an editing software, which has some built-in AI features. This can include erasing unwanted elements, extending a photo, or enhancing various details. However, as with any AI conversation, there are concerns with originality, as AI platforms can take from various, possibly unreliable or uncredited sources.

“We just did this lesson not too long ago–this technique where we are using AI–and it feels like it’s kind of not my work,” R’el Lindsay (’26) said. 

However, photography goes beyond the high-quality cameras and editing software. Social media platforms, such as Instagram or Snapchat, involve uploading and sharing photos with family and friends to keep them up-to-date. Popular smartphone companies, such as iPhone and Samsung, have made photography a more accessible way to share your life with others. Even beyond that, photography can have a large impact on the students: how they view the world and how they capture it.

“I do like to notice other people’s work, and be like, ‘Oh, that’s really cool,’” Lindsay said. “I notice the little tiny details around me in my everyday [life], or I go outside, I get close to the ground and see all the little speckles.”

Photography serves as a creative expression for students, both during their tenure in photo class and for the years to come. Even if they don’t plan to have a career in photography, the technical skills and creative techniques they learn will serve them well for the rest of their lives.