By Katie Fitzgerald
While many Ohio University students find great experiences through working with professors and doing internships, few get the chance to have an assignment displayed worldwide. This year, students who participated in the School of Visual Communication's annual special project "Dawn to Dusk," accomplished that.
The January issue of National Geographic magazine features "ZipUSA: Athens, Ohio," a five-page photo essay that includes the work of nine Ohio University students. Amy Thompson, a graduate student, and Robert Caplin, a sophomore, are two of the students whose work is featured in the photo essay.
"It's a huge thrill and an honor to get published by 'NGM.' I still am completely humbled that they chose my work over some of the stuff that I've seen," said Caplin who was quite surprised when he found out his photograph was chosen. "I did some jumping around and called family after I read the e-mail a few times to make sure I was reading it correctly. Then I pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming."
But while students in Athens are quite excited over the project, Thompson has yet to feel its impact. "I'm all the way over here in Cambodia and I haven't seen the January issue yet," she said. "I feel quite far away from it all."
Thompson, who is in Cambodia working on a project, said she's most comfortable behind the camera. She believes the success of the Visual Communication program lies in the people involved. "I think a lot of it has to do with the energy of the students and the faculty -- and the passion for pictures that we all share," she said.
Caplin agrees and feels that the professors in the school are the impetus behind student success. "Because all the professors are seasoned at what they do, they pass on the knowledge and the skill that they have experienced first hand, and they provide the equipment and the critiquing that we will use in the field," he said.
The 45701 essay represents several firsts. Not only will 45701 be the first and only ZIP code from Ohio to be featured in National Geographic, but the essay is the first "ZipUSA" feature to be comprised solely of student photography.
"We're thrilled to be able to participate in Geographic's ZIP code project. It's an honor to be able to contribute to such an esteemed publication. The idea that a magazine as prestigious as National Geographic would recognize the level of this work and say that it merits inclusion in the pages of its publication is extremely flattering," School of Visual Communication Director Larry Nighswander said.
"I think that is a great and unique documentary project," Caplin said. "It's a great idea to take advantage of the fact that there are hundreds of photographers in such a small town."
National Geographic instituted the "ZipUSA" feature in September 2000 to allow readers to experience everyday life in America through viewing photographic essays captured in various ZIP codes. Usually, these ZIP codes are chosen for their size, character or historical importance.
The magazine approached the school's faculty about adapting "Dawn to Dusk" into a ZIP code feature for the magazine after a researcher stumbled upon the project on the School of Visual Communication Web site. The 2001 project was modified for National Geographic magazine "ZipUSA" consideration and the photo shoot took place Oct. 26, 2001.
The "ZipUSA" feature on Athens will be included in editions that reach more than 8 million readers. The 45701 story is currently available on the National Geographic Web site at www.nationalgeographic.com/ngm .
Katie Fitzgerald is a student writer with University Communications and Marketing.
