NGTC students expand photography skills at professional convention

CLARKESVILLE - Spring break may mean vacation to some, but to the some photography students at North Georgia Technical College, it was a time to grow and learn at the annual print competition and convention held by the Georgia Professional Photographers Association (GPPA) in Atlanta.

"We had photography students volunteering and competing at the GPPA annual print competition and convention," said NGTC Instructor Jeff Gulle. "It is a great opportunity for our students to expand their perspective and to have their work critiqued by professionals."

Over three days the judges viewed 1,027 images.

This year NGTC students Georgia Zumwalt and Frank Zayas submitted prints to the competition.

Jeff Gulle, photography instructor at North Georgia Technical College, also competed in the annual print competition. Jeff's image, "The Mechanic" won Best of Show/Portrait and 1st Place Portrait of a Man. In addition, this print was chosen as a Lexjet Sunset Award print.

"I took this image at Alonzo Wades Auto Parts while Johnny was repairing an old pickup," explained Gulle. "I went there with students to demonstrate and do environmental portraits."

Jeff also had two other images: "Baby Blue," which won 1st Place Portrait of a Woman, and "Silver Sentries," which won a distinguished award.

Jeff was also given the American Society of Photographers Award which is an elite group of photographers which some say is the "best of the best" award. Gulle has been a professional photographer since graduating from NGTC in 1985. He has been teaching at NGTC for seven years.