For World Photography Day, several WVPB staffers share their favorites and explain what makes them special.
World Photography Day commemorates the invention of the daguerreotype, a photographic process developed by Louis Daguerre in 1837. This process was officially announced by the French government as a gift to the world on Aug. 19, 1839. It is considered to be the first photoprinting process.
Photography has changed everything from science to industry to the way we remember our families. It has gone from a dangerous and tedious process to the point that most of us carry high-end cameras in our pockets at all times.
But there are some photos we take, out of the thousands, that mean more to us for one reason or another: it can be a person, or a memory, or a time.
For World Photography Day, several WVPB staffers share their favorites and explain what makes them special.
Deborah Fernsell
“I am with my favorite person, my son Charles taken at my favorite place, Portland Head Light, on Cape Elizabeth Maine where the Atlantic Ocean and Casco Bay meet. It is probably the last trip we will take together, just us before he marries this October. He had never been to Maine, and I wanted to introduce him to it and share the adventure and joy.” — Deborah Fernsell, media sales associate
Photo Credit: Deborah Fernsell/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Bill Lynch
“One of my favorite pictures from the Spartan Race in 2019. I’d trained really hard to do this and I was in the best shape I’d ever been. Perry Bennett shot this and made me look like a superhero — at least, to me.” — Bill Lynch, producer of Inside Appalachia
Photo courtesy of Perry Bennett
Jim Lange
“This sunflower, not quite open, is a wonderful metaphor for life bursting forth in joy.” — Jim Lange, host of Eclectopia
Photo Credit: Jim Lange/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Johnny Montgomery
“Sally: The prettiest cat in the Kanawha valley.” — Johnny Montgomery, master control operator
Photo Credit: Johnny Montgomery/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Eric Douglas
“This photograph was taken during a full moon on the beach at Nags Head. My wife Beverly is making a heart from the moon shine. It is special to me because it is one of my favorite places on earth and it is special to take my family there and build those memories.” — Eric Douglas, news director
Photo Credit: Eric Douglas/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Chuck Anziulewicz
“Here’s a photo I’m a bit proud of. I’m not much of a photographer, but I think this turned out rather well. I took it on Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills, NC, back in October 2008.” — Chuck Anziulewicz, staff announcer
Photo Credit: Chuck Anziulewicz/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Brenda Moss
“My morning view, Kenna, West Virginia.” — Brenda Moss, receptionist
Photo Credit: Brenda Moss/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Sarah Coleman
“New River Gorge Bridge, summer 2019. I woke up super early one morning to go out and film fog moving through and happened to snap this one. It’s something I am so proud of.” — Sarah Coleman, master control operator
Photo Credit: Sarah Coleman/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Americo Valdes
“This is one of my favorite shots when I was getting into digital circa 2005 with my ‘giant’ 6.1 MP Nikon D70. It was important to me at that time, and a huge move from film, as I no longer had access to a darkroom, film/processing was expensive, and this seemed like the right investment.
To that point, I had full leverage to shoot as much as I wanted to, because I wasn’t limited to 24 or 36 rolls and was experimenting with long exposures (obviously with camera shake). This was taken at Gravely Park with a good view of DCA and the Capitol skyline. I was shooting planes taking off from where I was sitting, and decided to pan left to the Washington Monument.” — Americo Valdes, director of grant programs
Photo Credit: Americo Valdes/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Margaret Miller
“The view from our camp in Webster County. Best place in the world to sit and read!” — Margaret Miller, curriculum specialist
Photo Credit: Margaret Miller/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Brian Hensley
“This is one of my favorites that I’ve taken with the sun coming through the trees.” — Brian Hensley, director of engineering and IT
Photo Credit: Brian Hensley/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Autumn Meadows
“My first visit to Blackwater Falls State Park during my favorite time of year!” — Autumn Meadows, director of education
Photo Credit: Autumn Meadows/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Curtis Tate
“Not a perfect photo. Framing is awkward and the flash makes our faces washed out. But here is my sister with me at my college graduation. We were young and vibrant. Our time was limited.” — Curtis Tate, energy & environment reporter
Photo Credit: Curtis Tate/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Mallory Richards
“I have thousands of photos from my hikes and adventures around West Virginia, but this particular spot on the Beauty Mountain trail in Fayetteville is always my favorite.” — Mallory Richards, associate producer of Mountain Stage
Photo Credit: Mallory Richards/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Jeff Shirley
“Photo I took of accordionist John Linnell of They Might Be Giants when my son Rubin and I attended one of their concerts together. I love this photo, but I loved the time I got to spend with my kid even more. We had so much fun.” — Jeff Shirley, senior producer of Mountain Stage
Photo Credit: Jeff Shirley/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Chris Schulz
“Since becoming a parent, my daughter Ava has become the near-exclusive focus of my camera. It’s a blessing to have digital photography so readily available to capture her growing and ever-changing world, especially because the hectic requirements of life with a toddler seem to move faster each day.” — Chris Schulz, North Central/education reporter
Photo Credit: Chris Schulz/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Liz McCormick
“Motherhood. The greatest gift.” — Liz McCormick, director of digital
Photo Credit: Liz McCormick/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Liz Swick
“A Betta fish with its bubble nest.” — Liz Swick, donor services
Photo Credit: Liz Swick/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Chris Oxley
“I’ve always been drawn to silhouettes, the stark contrast between light and dark. The one in this photo, to me, represents the fear my son had of finally jumping off the high dive, and the pride and exhilaration from finally having done so. It’s freedom, summer, playtime and youth caught in mid-air, but only for a little while. He turned 21 this year.
This photo also happened to be taken on West Virginia Day, 2013.” — Chris Oxley, director/editor
Photo Credit: Chris Oxley/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Janet Kunicki
“My niece, Sanya. She didn’t know I was taking her picture as she was enjoying the sunset over the Pacific.” — Janet Kunicki, video producer
Photo Credit: Janet Kunicki/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Chris Barnhart
“Jack, the reason I do everything.” — Chris Barnhart, director of video production
Photo Credit: Chris Barnhart/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
