The James Logan Courier

By Laurel Brodzinsky, Courier Staff Writer

Justin Chen, senior at James Logan, recently won second place in the black and white category in the UC photo competition.

He first got interested in photography when his family got their first camera, and he started playing around with the camera and settings, and finding out “photography is actually an art form”. He is in the Photography class, as well as Photo Club. Though partly due to scheduling issues, Chen took Photography to learn more about and develop his interest in photography, at higher levels than point and shoot snapshots with a cheap digital camera.


Bulb by Justin Chen




He learned about the UC competition the day the pictures were due by browsing online, and was motivated to get out and work. Chen describes the competition as something that is “for the advancement of local art. It shows that we really can be capable of producing true artwork, something worthwhile”. He won a ten-dollar gift certificate, but to him the accomplishment is worth more.

When deciding what to take a picture of, Chen has two methods. Either he sees something that catches his eye spontaneously, or he plans beforehand. When Chen is planning, he picks a theme or idea that he wants his pictures to convey. Then, he tries to find something that will best convey that idea in a picture.




Chen uses both digital cameras and film, both slow lens reflex (SLR). Which he uses depends on the situation. Chen says that film “gives you a great experience, and gives a lot more to the art of photography”, versus an easy to use digital camera.

Chen is really interested in photography, but plans to only continue it as a hobby, not professionally.


Glow by Justin Chen


Smokestacks by Justin Chen


Glisten by Justin Chen