Thursday, August 16, 2007

Photography teaches patience for one 4-H'er

by Sara Peterson-Davis

Photography has taught Ryan Meyer many things, but most of all it’s taught him patience.

“I am a patient boy, but I’m not that patient,” said the 10-year-old from McLouth.

Photo by Monty Davis

Ryan Meyer with his award-winning photographs at the Jefferson County 4-H Fair in Valley Falls.

Since animals are his favorite subject, Ryansaid he had his patience tested more than once in his first year participating in the 4-H photography project.

“They’d move when I didn’t want them to,” he said of his animal subjects. “Something would get their attention and they’d steer off in another direction.”

A member of the Crackerjack 4-H
Club, Ryan entered three of his
photographs in this year’s Jefferson
County 4-H Fair. All three featured animals.

Ryan was among more than 80 4-Hers entered in this year’s photography judging.

Waiting for his turn with the judges, Ryan spoke about his picture choices and about their composition.

“I chose this picture because it’s soft,” Ryan said, pointing at his picture titled, “Watching Over You,” which features his sister, Ally, and her Chihuahua, Goliath. “Everything is soft — the blanket, the dog, her hair.”

Pointing to his portrait of a turtle, Ryan described how the picture followed the photographic rule of thirds.

“I called this one, “Patient Turtle,” he said. “My mom moved it around the driveway 30 or 40 times so I could get a picture of it.

“I liked it because it looks like it’s stepping down and this plant here looks like a little tree.”

Along with patience, participating in 4-H photography has given Ryan something else - a way to capture memories.

“He’s never had a lot of pictures in his lifetime,” said Amie Bristol, Ryan’s foster mom. “So it’s given him a chance to take pictures of him and his brother.”

Since Ryan has been with her family, Bristol said, she and her husband have tried to offer him as many different experiences as possible.

Photography has been one of the things that really has captured Ryan’s imagination and brought out his creativity.

“He’s done a lot of practicing and it’s given him a new personal goal - to buy a camera of his own,” Bristol said.

After showing his work to judge Jerry Liles, Ryan ran over to Bristol with a huge smile and a high five.

Each of his photographs had earned purple ribbons.

Standing around after the judging, Ryan blurted out in excitement, “Maybe I’ll win grand champion!”

“Probably not this first year,” Bristol said with a smile.

Taking a second before they went to lunch, Bristol said, “Our goal next year is to take pictures in all the seasons.”