New year…

Different students…

Same results.

Each school year, a group of Kingfisher High School photography students are given the opportunity to hone their skills and vie for a variety of awards under Dr. A.J. Johnson’s tutelage.

For many years, KHS students’ efforts have been rewarded with bountiful top honors in the Oklahoma Camera Club Youth Photo Contest.

2022 was no different.

Of the 630 entries from 14 schools, KHS students earned three first-place, three second-place and five third-place awards, as well as 15 honorable mentions of the total 78 awards available.

Of those honors, chief photographer Matthew Miller, senior, garnered the most, receiving 10 awards from 12 entries.

Miller’s photographs earned first place in photojournalism in both print and digital divisions. He also took second place in digital monochrome photographer’s choice.

In addition, Miller had four third-place photos, which included monochrome photographer’s choice, people or animals and architecture in the digital category and another color photographer’s choice in print.

He also had three honorable mentions, one in monochrome photographer’s choice, print as well as photographer’s choice color and scapes, digital division.

Entering photographs in varied categories, Miller said he chose photos with the most vibrant colors, interesting composition and other appealing elements as well as the deepest levels of contrast for his monochrome photos.

His favorite photo titled “Nightlife,” Miller said was shot in New York City during the summer on a mission trip.

“I like the vibrant colors and wide-angle of the shot,” he said. “I really enjoyed taking that one.”

As chief of photography, Miller said he is responsible for making sure school events are covered by members of the KHS Photography staff, which requires a certain amount of versatility.

Having taught KHS students for 49 years, Johnson and his students have earned a multitude of awards.

“We have exceptionally talented students who have been given exceptional opportunities due to the generosity of the local board of education and the support of the administration and staff,” Johnson said.

“With great equipment and genuine talent, our students continue to demonstrate their abilities.”

Other student photographers capturing top honors included:

Breona McConnell – who earned second place in people or animals, digital and third place in color photographer’s choice of the digital division, as well as two honorable mentions in photojournalism and monochrome photographer’s choice of the digital division and monochrome photographer’s choice in the print division.

Bridget Himes – who earned second place in people or animals of the print division and two honorable mentions in color and monochrome photographer’s choice categories in digital.

Lily Fletcher – who earned two honorable mentions in people or animals and architecture, digital division and another in people or animals, print division.

Andrew Green – who earned an honorable mention in color photographer’s choice, digital and another in people or animals, print.

Sara Stiner – honorable mention in scapes, print division.

Evan Banther – first place in monochrome photographer’s choice, digital division.

Maci Meyer – honorable mention in people or animals, digital division.

Sponsoring the contest since 2003, an Oklahoma Camera Club representative said there was an outstanding variety of photos and this made it an enjoyable challenge for the judges.

“The judges were very impressed with the images entered,” the representative said.

Only a limited number were selected to progress to the national competition of the Photography Society of America Youth Photo Contest, Johnson said.

Of the images entered, KHS had 16 photographs qualify for the national competition.

Students whose photos were selected include Miller, McConnell, Himes, Fletcher, Green, Banther and Rhylee Toepfer.

Completing his third and final year of KHS Photography classes, Miller said he has learned many aspects of photography such as composition techniques, setting up camera equipment, sports photography, portraits and so much more.

“I enjoy getting to implement composition techniques,” Miller said. “It’s fun to take something rather boring and, at the right angle, make it look really interesting.

“I also enjoy getting to know and build relationships with the people I photograph.”

For more than a decade (at Oklahoma Camera Club Youth Photo Contest), Kingfisher students have brought credit to their school with their work, Johnson said.

“As any sports coach will tell you,” Johnson added, “you can teach skill, but you can’t teach students to be talented.”