Caitlin Ryerson (Class of 2023)
Blogger Role: Photography
Major: Photography
Clubs: Shutterbug Photography Club, Zeta Omicron Kappa Pi Art Honor Society, National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS)
I chose Marywood because it was one of my top picks of colleges. After attending an art college fair my sophomore year of High School, and learning about Marywood’s amazing art program, small classes (the student-faculty ratio is 12:1) and beautiful campus, it was a match made in heaven. And after attending a tour of campus it truly made me feel like I was home away from home.
I am majoring in Art because I don’t see myself sitting behind a desk. I am a very visual, always moving and hands on kind of person. Photography allows me to express my creativity. I wasn’t thinking about majoring in anything art related until in High School when I took a photography class working with film cameras and developing them in the dark room. I loved the process and the photography concept that I wanted to continue as a career.
When I’m not in class, I’m usually out with my friends and family. But when I want to have time for myself I am usually going on adventures and taking pictures. My favorite places to photograph are hiking trails like Nay Aug Park in Scranton and Salt Springs State Park in Montrose, PA.
So far, my favorite art class at Marywood was Alternative Digital Imaging class. I was able to learn new techniques and learn different creative ways on Photoshop like levitating an object and Multiplicity. The technique of Multiplicity is achieved by multiplying a person or an object in different places. Another process I learned in that class was Cyantotype. This is an old photo processing that comes out blue when processed.
The coolest thing I’ve done at Marywood so far was taking a leadership opportunity and becoming the Vice President to the Marywood Shutterbug Photography Club. And from there we got to do our first club member exhibition. I felt proud and confident about myself seeing my work hanging in the gallery on campus.
When I graduate I hope to go into a career related to Photojournalism. After taking a Photojournalism class, I have been interested ever since and learned the great opportunities you can get as a photojournalist, or as a freelance photographer. I mostly like to photograph for myself with a hint of photographing for family or portraits.
I’d recommend the Art program at Marywood because every faculty person helps you in every way possible. They have pushed me to create better work and because of that I have seen improvements and growth in images I have captured. Each faculty is inspiring and truly cares about you. Before and even now with COVID you still have that one-on-one connection with the faculty in person or over zoom.