Huntington Asks for 35mm Camera Donations
After an earlier request to the community for donations of old 35mm SLR cameras fell short of its goal, the Huntington High School photography program is renewing its call. School officials are urging local residents to donate their unused cameras so the popular program can continue.
“Our photography program is growing, but our stock of serviceable cameras is declining,” Huntington Superintendent John J. Finello said. “While we are living, to a large extent, in the digital age, students still learn about photography through the use of 35mm cameras. We are asking everyone that reads this plea to please contact us at 673-2106 to arrange to donate a camera.”
People usually forget about their old 35mm SLR after purchasing a new digital camera. The old camera gets tucked away in a closet or under a bed, never to be seen or used again. School officials are asking residents to search for those old cameras and to donate them as soon as possible.
Huntington photography teacher Pamela Piffard has said the program is at risk unless it obtains donated cameras. The district has attempted to buy new cameras and get broken ones repaired, but hasn’t been successful as the market is now dominated by digital products.
The photography curriculum includes a unit on film development and 35mm SLR cameras are needed for instructional reasons. Students learn about all aspects of a camera and how the photographic process works. “It’s an exceptional program and our students produce outstanding work,” Mr. Finello said. “We need the community’s assistance to keep it going.”
Donors will receive a letter indicating the value of any donated camera to the program for tax purposes. Most such cameras have a current market value of about $100.
Contact Ms. Piffard at ppiffard@hufsd.edu or call 673-2106 for more information. Please include the make and model of the camera in any correspondence.
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