I haven’t set foot in a dark room in over 15 years.
That’s what happens when you use digital cameras and computer programs daily to edit, crop and adjust photos.
But while in the area, I stopped by to visit Mesa High School a few weeks back, to talk to the photographer class of Jesse Castellano’s, or better known to Mesa High students as “Mr. C.”
I try and stop by once a year to visit and talk photography.
Castellano will be retiring this year after teaching photography for 34 years at Mesa High.
While I was visiting, he pointed out a calendar on the back of his office door, counting down to his last day. As a graduate from ASU with a degree in Art Education, Mr. C. began teaching photography, and occasionally ceramics classes.
Over the 34 years, Mr. C. has loved teaching the art of photography to students – and he did it his way.
With little adjustments on what he teaches – the only ones due to the changing camera technology – and how he teaches it, he has taught nearly 8,500 students how to load a camera with film, develop film and print their first image in the dark room.
In talking with him, he said he looks forward to being able to travel with his camera into Mexico, and even Italy.
It was there in his class where learned the basics that sparked the fire to explore and learn about photography.
Teachers like “Mr. C.” will be missed.

After shooting all kinds of sports over the past 13 years there are a lot of things I still don’t understand while watching them. Last week I covered a girls softball game of Mountain View at Red Mountain. There are boxes, made in chalk, where the coaches on the field can stand on both the first base and third base sides. I guess these boxes are more of a guide and not a rule, as I rarely see coaches stay inside these boxes. This also happens while shooting baseball.

I thought I was in the right place on the right time, however, I was wrong. I, along with numerous other still photographers were allowed in to photograph the introductions of the Republican candidate debate. We were brought into the Mesa Art Center a few minutes before they walked out on stage for the live CNN covered debate. The photographers were split into two groups. Some entered the theater on the left while the group I was in entered on the right. We walked down in front and kneeled down at the edge of the stage as each candidate was introduced. After the introductions, they stood with their hands over their hearts for a singing of the National Anthem. This is when I found myself in the wrong spot. Choir members walked out on the stage and stood right in my way. There was nothing I could do. I pretty much got the shots I needed before.

]]> http://blogs.evtrib.com/infocus/2012/01/04/in-focus-at-the-circus/feed/ 1 http://blogs.evtrib.com/infocus/2012/01/03/fireplace-safety/ http://blogs.evtrib.com/infocus/2012/01/03/fireplace-safety/#comments Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:57:56 +0000 Tim Hacker http://blogs.evtrib.com/infocus/?p=977

Don Fisher, with Chiminy Cricket and Top Hat Air Systems, cleans and inspects a fireplace and chimney during a service call to a home in Mesa, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011. [Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

Click here to view the embedded video.

A crowd gathers along the railroad in Gilbert during the arrival of the Union Pacific Railroad’s Steam Locomotive #844, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011. The locomotive known as Old #844 was built in 1944, traveled through Arizona in celebration of the state’s centennial. [Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

Kids dressed as their favorite characters trick or treat for candy in the Power Ranch area of Gilbert, Monday, Oct. 31, 2011 to celebrate Halloween. [Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

Submit your own image to run online and maybe published in the print edition Your Best Shot: http://evtnow.com/submit

Meat cutters Juan Ortiz,left, and Eric Seals compete in the Texas Roadhouse Meat Cutters Challenge, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 in Phoenix. A total of six cutters in the Valley competed looking to advance to the 2012 national competition in Florida. The winner of the national competition receives a grand prize of $20,000 and is crowned Meat Cutter of the Year. [Tim Hacker/Tribune]

Click here to view the embedded video.

Linda Phillips arranges a display of pumpkins on a lot she manages in Gilbert, Friday, Oct. 21, 2011. Tim Hacker/ Tribune

Submit your own image to run online and maybe published in the print edition’s Your Best Shot feature: http://evtnow.com/submit

The pedestrian bridge constructed over the west end dam of Tempe Town Lake is now open, shown Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011. The bridge helps shade the rubber bladder from the harsh sun as well as having sprinkler heads underneath to help cool the bladder. Tim Hacker/ Tribune