Ana Patladze's photography club
November 28, 2024
Article by Ninia Tsiklauri
Edited by Eli Khokhiashvili
Source GZAAT Gazette
The photography club is a new addition to our school. The club takes place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 3 pm in Nino Mitsishvili’s room and is guided by a young professional photographer, Ana Patladze. Here, students acquire fundamental photography skills such as knowing how to adjust lighting, comprehending camera settings, learning about the history of photography, and so forth. Every week they take photos, which they then observe and discuss.
Ana Patladze is a 27-year-old photographer who studied photography and photojournalism in Budapest. She and her friends run a school called Caucasian Art Circle, where they teach older students photo disclosure and photography. Ana said, "I have always perceived the world visually. When I was eighteen, I recall being able to observe how the sun and light changed with the seasons, and I always wanted to somehow document this. I got into photography by accident. When I held the camera for the first time, I realized that this tool was my only way of self-expression."
The photography club at GZAAT was Ana’s initiative. She sent her curriculum to the school and they approved it. “My whole life I have had the best teachers, so I know what it is like when amazing people make you fall in love with a subject. I enjoy being that person for someone else.”
In the club they focus on perceiving photography as a powerful tool for self-expression, which can help in understanding the people and the world around us. “Most importantly, we have to be as free as possible in this expression,” said Ana. In terms of the curriculum, they cover everything—photojournalism, war photography, and more. The last stop is fine art photography - when a photo is viewed as a painting and has the same value as a canvas. If some student likes fashion photography or something else, Ana devotes time to these interests as well.
Every student must have their own camera. They consider all types of photography: digital, film, and phone as well. However, the biggest challenge for Ana is attendance. “This is my biggest struggle, nothing related to cameras or the quality of the lessons.”
The photography club is a place to learn and grow as a photographer with an amazing teacher and fun activities. We are looking forward to their exhibition at the end of the course!
