Spotlight on Huntington Photographer Michelle Pechar
Michelle Pechar is always busy cultivating her own personal art projects. The Huntington High School senior can frequently be found drawing, painting or working in the photo lab.
The teenager has taken Intro to Photo, Advanced Photo, Photo Internship and Advanced Placement 2D Design. Ms. Pechar is also enrolled in a variety of fine art classes. She is known to teachers and classmates as being dedicated to becoming the very best artist she can be.
Voted Best Artist by fellow members of the Class of 2013, Ms. Pechar is serving as the editor-in-chief of The Huntingtonian, the high school yearbook. Her responsibilities include photographing all the clubs, activities, sports and daily student life, choosing which photos are of high enough quality to be included in the book and completing the layouts utilizing InDesign software. Ms. Pechar has been carrying out her duties with both grace and dignity.
"Michelle Pechar has been my student for the past three years. Michelle is one of the most creative and talented students in her class. She is so creative, hard working and able to express her ideas in a very mature manner. She has confidence in herself and her abilities. It is nice to see how proud Michelle is when she accomplishes great results."
. . .Photography teacher Pam Piffard on Michelle Pechar
"This year, Michelle is my student intern in an introduction to photography class. She is a great help in the class and a wonderful example of what hard work can accomplish for her peers. Her assistance is invaluable and I feel lucky to have her working with me."
Questions and Answers with Michelle Pechar
Q: How old are you and what grade are you in?
Pechar: "I am 17 years old and in 12th grade."
Q: How did you first get interested in photography?
Pechar: "I first got interested in photography in eighth grade when my parents let me use their old film cameras. I loved it so much in my home and careers class in eighth grade at Finley that my career of choice was a professional photographer."
Q: Where do you get your ideas?
Pechar: "I get most of my inspiration from contemporary magazines, artists and the internet. A lot of my ideas come from my past experiences and fears. My photos are a way for someone to see what goes on inside my head."
Q: Is there any specific type of photography you like best?
Pechar: "My style is very diverse, but if I had to choose one type it would be surrealism because I love being able to create things from my mind and make them come to life."
Q: How has the Huntington photography program helped you with your love of photography?
Pechar: "The photography program here at the high school has been amazing. Huntington is one of the only schools on long island with both a dark room and computers that have Photoshop programs. I've been fortunate enough to be Ms. Piffard's student intern as well. I've been given so many opportunities that have helped me grow as an artist and I owe it all to the art programs at Huntington."
Q: Do you plan to continue with photography or go to school for it?
Pechar: "Of course! I'm applying to all art schools, so I'll be able to take various photography classes to expand my work. Art as a whole is my passion. I can't imagine my life without being able to express myself through art."