Two OBHS Students Place at Photography Competition

By Beryl Rosenburg

On April 13th, the Huntington Camera Club welcomed students, parents, and teachers to its 29th High School Photography Competition. Two Oyster Bay High School students placed in the prestigious competition. Junior Adrianna Ceglia, an AP Art student, won first place in the “Touch of Red” category, and sophomore Skylar McEvoy, a Photography 2 student, won second place in the “Open” category.

The Camera Club’s Board of Directors looked at each of the 1,300 total pieces entered into the three categories and chose three winners for each category. The three categories included “Touch of Red,” “Open,” and “Rule of Thirds.”

The Huntington Camera Club was founded in 1966, offering opportunities for advanced and beginner photographers to improve their skills and meet with others who possess a similar interest in photography.

Adrianna describes the process of submitting her photo for the “Touch of Red” category: “It was actually very last minute that I chose that photo because I needed three photos, and [I thought] this photo has a little bit of red in it, so let me make the background black and white and then let me see what else I can do to have a touch of red. Then I just erased some of the eyeshadow.” 

Adrianna goes on to explain what she enjoys about her winning photo. “I like how [the subject] is positioned and that's what [the judges] also talked about when we were there—how she’s positioned actually shows power. Her face and how the background was kind of blurry. It was just set up well.” 

In addition, Adrianna says that finding out that she had won was “a funny story,” and she describes the moment by saying, “I got there, and nobody was telling me anything. My parents actually knew… and Mr. Boris knew, but they [said they couldn’t tell me], and my parents played it off like they didn't know. So, when we got there, I had to get this notary thing signed, and I saw another girl had to get it [signed] also, so I was like oh that's weird. Then her category was before mine, so when I saw that she had won the [first place prize] also, I was starting to get nervous. I don’t know why I was nervous, but it was pretty cool.” 

Adrianna adds that she intends to enter the competition again next year: “First, it was a fun experience. Second, some of the judges and a lot of the people there said [I] should definitely do it next year. I [entered] the three years I've been in this photo class, but I haven't won anything, so [this year] was very exciting. Everyone said [I] should definitely do it again.”

Second place winner Skylar McEvoy also shared what she likes about her photo by saying, “It was busy but it was just enough that the person in the photo was clear, and it was in the city, and I love the city, so I decided to enter it.”
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Skylar goes on to explain, “I didn’t expect to place, but it was really exciting and worth sitting for two hours before my name was called for second place. It was worth it because I didn't expect to place at all.” Skylar adds that she would enter the competition next year as well. “Yes, definitely, it was a great experience.”

Congratulations to Adrianna and Skylar on their success, and good luck in all future competitions!