Department of Art Introduces Photography Minor
New program teaches film-based and digital techniques
by Eric Lichterman, Contributor
With smartphone cameras constantly upgrading to take sharper, clearer pictures, people are finding it easier to take photos and videos at rates previously unseen in both photography and videography.
With interest in photography growing, Mississippi College has made efforts to offer students the chance to become accredited photographers. In the past two years, changes have been made in MC’s Department of Art by adding a new minor in photography and an emphasis in photography in BFA studio art degrees.
This recent addition opens photography to non-Art majors who may find it useful in their desired field. The minor also provides valuable information that can allow students to pursue photography as a hobby after they graduate.
The minor teaches students both digital photography and traditional film photography. Students learn how to use, edit, and develop their own pictures using both techniques.
Teaching these classes requires extensive knowledge and experience. When choosing the best candidates, Dr. Randolph Miley, chair of the Department of Art, chose Kim Rushing for the position to teach the new classes.
“We are very thankful to have Mr. Kim Rushing on board as an adjunct instructor,” Miley said.
Rushing recently retired from teaching photography for 28 years at Delta State University, and he also started the first photography university program in the state of Mississippi in 1994.
Rushing is a resident of Cleveland, Miss., and makes the two-hour commute to Clinton each day. He is happy to make the commute so that he can help MC’s photography program become more established.
Since photography has been a long-time offering at MC, staff and alumni are happy to see that the college is still keeping the tradition alive for newer students.
“Many years ago, when I was a graduate student at MC, I took six hours in black and white photography as part of my masters' degree,” said Miley.
After graduating in 1982, he used the skills he was taught to teach photography at Warren Central High School for over nine years. Since then, Miley has kept the photography program in the arts department.