Zach Burden Wins LIU Post
Photo Award
Zach Burden is already winning awards for photography and he's only a sophomore at Huntington High School. The teenager recently picked up honorable mention recognition for a piece that was on display at LIU Post for the past month.
"The picture I took was of my friend Monica Owen," explained Mr. Burden about the award winning shot. "I was planning on doing a fashion shoot that day with her, and then eventually I was going to use the idea of having her flip her hair and catch it in action."
Mr. Burden is the only sophomore enrolled in the Advanced Photo course at Huntington High School. "Last year I was the only freshman in Introduction to Photography," he said. "I plan to go to art school for photography when I'm ready for college."
The teenager puts plenty of time and effort into his photographic activities. "Before every shoot, I plan everything out in my head," he said. That modus operandi paid off with what turned out to be an award winning photo.
"Eventually I got the right picture, and with a little help from Photoshop, I ended up with the final product," Mr. Burden said about his work with Ms. Owen. Huntington art teacher Pamela Piffard, who heads the high school photography program, provided invaluable assistance, as well.
Ms. Piffard is one of Mr. Burden's favorite teachers. "She gave me advice and her opinions of the picture while I was in the process of editing it," the sophomore said. "I really like Ms. Piffard as a teacher because she gives me her honest opinion of my work, and she also listens to me and my ideas."
Mr. Burden is currently working to qualify for the Art Honor Society, which is led by art teacher Kasmira Mohanty, who heads the high school's computer graphics program. "Ms. Mohanty is a very big force in trying to get people into art shows and competitions," Mr. Burden said. "She sent us all an e-mail about the art show at LIU Post, and I thought 'why not try it? If my picture is put in that would be a great enough honor, because it would be up for a month at CW Post.'"
The exhibit closed out its run last week and a reception and awards ceremony was held on the final evening. Mr. Burden was there to view his work along with many other artists and their family members.
"When I walked in they handed me the program and I noticed that I got an honorable mention award," Mr. Burden said. "I was ecstatic, considering this was my first legitimate art show and I had won an honorable mention."
Every aspiring artist needs a strong support network and Mr. Burden has one of the best. Ms. Piffard thinks the world of him and his family and friends stand four-square behind his efforts.
"My friends have been pretty supportive of me throughout my experiences of doing photography, whether they are giving me advice, ideas, modeling for me all the time or even just being there to give me opinions," Mr. Burden said. "My parents have also helped me so much, because they know how much all of it means to me."