News

Teamwork is well-charted territory for photographer Bridget Besaw and Nature Conservancy magazine photo editor Melissa Ryan. Having collaborated on multiple photography projects for Nature Conservancy magazine over the past several years, the two partner to teach an exciting new workshop here at MMW from September 19-25.

In People in Nature: Conservation Photojournalism, Besaw and Ryan teach students to develop stories that reveal the human connection to nature and the planet’s natural resources. During the week, students work directly with local conservation organizations to photograph and develop a story on a local conservation project.   

Besaw and Ryan worked together recently on a Nature Conservancy magazine project featuring photos from Bridget's multi-year coverage of Maine's Penobscot River, revealing the relationship between hydroelectric dams, the river, fish, and local people.

Other projects the two have worked on include an ambitious large-scale project covering the Conservancy's salmon conservation work throughout five Pacific Northwest states.  “I approach my work with Bridget as a visual partnership,” Ryan says. “Her images speak for themselves and tell our story in a way that nothing else does”. Currently in the works is a project covering the devastating oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Maine Media recently welcomed media executive Louise Rosen as the newest member of its Board of Directors!

Rosen, who joined the Board in June 2010, brings to the school over 25 years’ experience in the international television and film business, from project development to production and distribution. She is Managing Director of Louise Rosen Ltd., which specializes in setting up international television pre-sales and co-productions on behalf of independent documentary and non-fiction producers.

Among her projects have been several Oscar, Emmy, Sundance, Prix Italia, International Emmy and other award-winning films. A recent film she co-produced, Prodigal Sons, recently aired on the Sundance Channel and has had an extensive festival and theatrical run.  Another recent co-producing project, The Music Instinct: Science and Song aired nationally on PBS in 2009 and won a top prize  last month at the Banff International Television Festival.

Rosen will share her extensive knowledge with students as an instructor for the Financing & Distributing the Documentary workshop August 22-28, 2010.

Brenton Hamilton, Maine Media faculty member, recently released a new book of his work entitled The Blue Poet Dreams.

Published through Blurb by the non-profit organization Obscura, the book showcases more than a decade of work stemming from Brenton's meticulous dedication to the 19th-century cyanotype process.  According to his website, Brenton "chooses this antique medium to render his one-of-a-kind dreamlike visions in an equally unique and intense hue." His work combines human anatomy, botanical imagery and astronomy to create arrangements that are both intriguing and provocative.

Brenton Hamilton has been a fixture at Maine Media, guiding students as a mentor for more than 15 years. He is Chair of Maine Media College's Photography Professional Certificate Program and an instructor for the Young Artists Program in photography. 

Obscura was founded by a group of artists and educators, including MMW instructors Mat Thorne,  Matt Smolinsky and Brenton Hamilton, in 2009.  The Blue Poet Dreams is available for purchase from the Obscura website, with proceeds from the sale of the book going to fund youth scholarships.