University of Wisconsin - Extension

If a photo is worth a thousand words, Wisconsin youth are producing volumes through the 4-H photography project.

About 9,000 Wisconsin 4-H youth develop the art and science of photography each year, according to Wayne Brabender, state 4-H photography specialist.

"Photography helps young people observe and appreciate their surroundings," said Brabender. "Looking through the camera makes them isolate a subject from the rest of the world, forcing them to really 'see' the subject and the world in a new way."

The learning process begins in fall with 4-H enrollment. It culminates with photo exhibits at the summer county fair. In between are project meetings and photo field trips under the guidance of parents and nearly 700 adult and youth photo volunteer leaders across the state, Brabender said.

"I find it exciting to see the quality and quantity of photos produced by 4-H members," he added. Popular subjects are landscapes, vacations, pets, friends and family celebrations.

More than 150 of the best 4-H photos become part of the annual State 4-H Photo Display. Each county can send three photo entries for the display. Most entries are selected at the county fair in summer. An entry is a single color or black-and-white print made from a negative, slide, or digital image. Deadline for entries is Nov. 15.

In the spring, the State 4-H Photo Advisory Committee, a group of 4-H photo volunteer leaders and county fair photography judges, helps Brabender select the "Top 10" photos in the annual display. The photos are then highlighted on the display. In addition, a copy of each top 10 photo is displayed in the Wisconsin Room of the National 4-H Center in Washington, D.C., for a year.

The top two photos on the 2003 display were: "Through the Rails!" by Willow Lundborg of Price, and "Summer Smells" by Hannah Ruff of Buffalo.

In August the display is exhibited for the first time at the new Wisconsin State Fair Exposition Center for thousands of visitors to see. After State Fair, the display becomes a traveling exhibit that county Extension offices and volunteer leaders can borrow through the Cooperative Extension Media Collection for local photo training and other 4-H events.

"The exhibit always makes a terrific statement about the quality of work by our young photographers wherever it is displayed," added Brabender. "And studying quality photos is a great way for all of us to improve our own photo skills."

http://www1.uwex.edu/news/photos/ruff.jpg" alt="photo of child looking through a fence">

"Summer Smells" by Hannah Ruff

http://www1.uwex.edu/news/photos/lundberg.jpg" alt="photo of child smelling flowers">

"Through the Rails!" by Willow Lundborg

For more information on 4-H programs, see http://www.uwex.edu/ces/4h/