Lights, free cameras, tons of action. The world of film and photography is about to open its doors to Colonie Central High School students as about $50,000 of digital camera equipment has just landed on the school’s doorstep.
The 21 digital single-lens reflex (slr) cameras, nearly 60 lenses and between 10 and 12 point and shoot cameras were donated by Canon U.S.A., after 2002 Colonie Central alumnus Khuram Bhatti, sales associate specialist for Canon, made the recommendation to his company to donate their equipment to the school, which he said, he remembers he arts being scarce in.
The equipment was donated to the technology program in the high school, and was accepted by teacher Jeffrey Wright.
`When I talked to Jeff Wright, he said that they no longer really teach a formal photography class because, one, they don’t have the money, and two, they don’t have the interest since they don’t have the equipment.` Bhatti said he is hoping that now, thanks to the donation, the school will be able to implement a formal photography class.
Bhatti also said that most of the equipment that was donated was used, but a few pieces are brand new.
For more on this story, check back at www.spotlightnews.com, or read the June 4 print edition of the Colonie Spotlight.“