Ms. Que Banh on Nostr: I never went to photography school. I learned photography by practicing lots, since ...

I never went to photography school. I learned photography by practicing lots, since childhood years. I hung out with many pro photographers who taught me a lot, in the field. I learned how to develop my own film rolls in darkrooms, in elementary school. One teacher saw I had natural eye for photography & also because I was only kid who wanted to create a yearbook, for George Jay Elementary school in the 80s. I was told, if you fundraise enough - you will get permission to create it & I'll build you a darkroom from unused janitor closet, for your work.

I went out the next day, hitting up local companies & by end of that - secured 3 corporate sponsors! I obtained sponsorships from Island Farms, Robin's Donuts & Fairway Foods Market. I obtained heavily discounted print work from Island Blueprint. I got extra cameras on loan from Camera Traders.

That's how I started creating the first elementary school yearbook since the 70s. I trained other kids on how to use manual cameras & traines them on how to do short interviews. I then sent them out on their first photojournalism experiences. Taking candids & taking notes from personal interviews. The yearbook I created is viewable at the school archives 💗