A visit with Jenny Bartow - high school senior and photographer - Interview

PSA Journal, March, 1996 by John M. Harris

The Spokane Valley Camera Club has acquired new members as a result of various newspaper feature articles on Jenny Bartow, one of PSA's youngest new members. Jenny is a high school senior with an "A" average who finds considerable time to devote to her special hobby, photography.

Jenny participates in the PSA Great Northwest Print Circuit and does her own color printing from slides. She has assisted in both PSA and camera club programs and has won photography awards in the Washington State High School Print Competition, the Spokane Valley Camera Club and the Spokane Interstate Fair. Her photos have been featured in local newspapers - and, most recently, she had a photo in Popular Photography's "Your Best Shot" and she has become feature photographer for Spokane Valley News.

Her participation in PSA has been mutually encouraging. Jenny stated that her interest in photography has been greatly encouraged by camera club and PSA members of all ages - that all have been willing to give advice or opinions when requested - and that many seem to have a personal interest in her and have become good friends.

John M. Harris, also of Spokane Valley Camera Club and the Inland Empire Chapter, interviewed Jenny about her activities in photography.

John: In 1995 you won many places in the photography competition of the Spokane Interstate Fair What was most significant? Jenny: The Grand Champion for the best color print and Grand Champion for the best color slide were both special as well as receiving the Reserve Grand Champion for a color photo slide. My black-and-white print received a First Place in the Still Life Division.

John: You are a member if the Spokane Valley Camera Club which you give much credit for your advancement in photography. How have you done in the camera club competitions? Jenny: In the 1995 salon, I received Second and Third Places for Creative Color Prints. In slides I placed second overall and received First Place for a flower color slide.

John: In the 1994 Washington State High School Print Competition you placed first and second How did you do in 1995? Jenny: I received First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Places and two Honorable Mentions.

John: When did you first become interested in photography? Jenny: My dad gave me a little camera when I was four. When I got older it bothered me when I couldn't take pictures of unusual lighting conditions such as fireworks. My dad then encouraged me to join the camera club. I joined the Spokane Valley Camera Club in September 1992 and began entering John: What equipment do you now have Jenny: I have a Nikon 6006 camera with a Vivitar 70-2 1 0 zoom lens. I also have a 28-70 Tamron zoom lens and use a Bogen 3021 tripod. Sometimes I borrow my dad's 300mm lens.

John: Your dad has a serious interest in photography. How has he supported you? Jenny: First of all, he got me involved in the Spokane Valley Camera Club. He let me use his Nikon FTn when I first joined. Since then he has bought quality camera equipment for me and allowed me to go to many seminars in photography.

John: What influences have helped you advance in photography 9 Jenny: The Spokane Valley Camera Club, the Columbia Council of Camera Clubs Convention and a workshop with Bryan Peterson in Glacier National Park. Two programs by the Professional Association, Portrait 2000 and a program by Linda Lapp were helpful. All PSA Inland Empire Seminars are useful and I have received considerable help from various camera club and PSA members.

John: You are a senior with straight A's at the Northwest Christian School. How have you used photography in school? Jenny: It has given me ideas for various projects, especially in my art classes. In doing drawings, I developed my ideas from pictures which I have taken. I use my camera to document field trips. In my English class two years ago, we were required to do a magazine on some topic and I chose photography.

John: What photographic subjects give you the greatest satisfaction? Jenny: I really enjoy doing wildlife and nature photography because of being outdoors. I also work with abstracts.

John: Do you have other artistic interests? Jenny: Yes, I take art classes, such as acrylic painting and a painting class with the adult education program. I have been taking guitar lessons for several years.

John: You do your own printing from slides. Why do you enjoy printing? Jenny: When I do my own printing, I have more control over the finished product and I enjoy the process.

John: Have you worked with electronic imaging? Jenny: I haven't yet, but sometime in the future I would love to work with it, but so far, I haven't had the opportunity.

John: What have you done to help others in photography ? Jenny: At the Columbia Council of Camera Club Convention in Boise, Idaho, I ran a portrait station for two-and-a-half hours which helped people to take portraits for contest. I assisted with the equipment for a PSA program for beginners at Colville, Washington.

John: Have you worked with professional photographers? Jenny: I assisted one doing a wedding about a year ago and another photographer doing architectural documentation.