For the second year running, Seton Hill University (SHU) sophomore, Aero Windwalker, won an international photography contest. Windwalker beat over 3,000 other college students to win the 30th Annual College Photography contest.
By Jessie Krehlik
SHU News Editor
For the second year running, Seton Hill University (SHU) sophomore, Aero Windwalker, won an international photography contest. Windwalker beat over 3,000 other college students to win the 30th Annual College Photography contest.
According to Windwalker, black and white photography instructor, Richard Stoner, suggested he participate in the contest last year. “He is a great teacher as well as a good friend,” said Windwalker.
Windwalker actually did not take any new photos to submit to this contest. Although Windwalker, who has been a professional photographer since since he was 15 years old and planned to prepare a team collaboration for his photo submissions this year, his idea never panned out. Instead, Windwalker turned to some previous work he had done with a few professional stylists and models.
“Photography is very time consuming,” Windwalker said. “A lot of photographers ignored the advance training of drawing, painting and story telling. I personally do a lot of drawing, painting and writing. Although the use of light is very important, for most contests, it is more about creating stories and arts.”
Windwalker and his team spent 21 hours working on the photo. Windwalker spent 5 hours selecting and renting lighting and background equipment. The stylists took another two hours selecting the model’s clothing, with another 2 hours spent on makeup and hair styling. After two hours in the photo shoot, Windwalker spent close to 10 hours retouching his work.
Rather than use his usual Nikon D700, Windwalker opted to use a Phase One 65+ camera.
“They are both a very decent camera body,” Windwalker said, “but I don’t think the submission’s requirements, a point shot camera would make any difference.”
As reward for winning the contest, Windwalker’s photograph, along with another 99 student photographs, will be featured in the book, “Best of College Photography 2010.” Windwalker’s photo will also be published in an issue of “Photographers Forum Magazine.”
Apart from this contest, Windwalker has won approximately 10 different awards for his photography. Many of these were minor awards, according to Windwalker.
“Actually, I consider this award as a minor one as well,” he said.
Windwalker also received awards for his water paintings, animations, writings and films.
In total, he has probably accepted over 20 awards. Windwalker sees his strengths in taking photographs involving fashion, beauty and artistic nudity. He prefers landscape and journalistic photography, two areas where Windwalker continues to strive for improvement.
“I normally like things that I am not good at, just like most people like stuff they don’t possess—I like to possess a lot of skills,” he said
According to Windwalker, landscape photography revolves around the appreciation of “nature and the way to look at the world.”
As a suggestion for aspiring photographers, Windwalker, who learned the art of photography from his grandfather, another professional photographer, said, “Stop just taking photos; that won’t help at all.
“I think most photographers today start at a point that they like to take photos for fun. In my experience, taking photos is not fun at all. I would never take photos if I go out for vacations or parties,” Windwalker explained.
“That doesn’t mean I don’t like photography. I just don’t like to take photos. I think that might sound weird, but actually, photography only has little to do with taking photos.”
Windwalker is double majoring in new media journalism and graphic design here at SHU.