Article: Lauren Vasko, Photos: D. Serazin
On the rainy, cold morning of Friday, November 22, the Chagrin Falls High School photography classes embarked on an exciting and educational field trip to two locations in Cleveland: the Midwest Railway Preservation Society and the Coventry neighborhood. Armed with cameras and coats, students set out to capture the essence of these locations for their final project of the class.
The first stop on their field trip was the Midwest Railway Preservation Society, located on the edge of Cleveland's industrial district. Known for its dedication to preserving Cleveland's railroad history, this site served as a perfect setting for the photographers to document an important part of Cleveland's history. Founded in 1977, the society houses various historic trains, some even dating back to the early 20th century. As the students arrived at the railway yard, they were surrounded by old locomotives and an industrial landscape. The students began to take pictures of everything from the old trains to specific details within the society's building.
One steam locomotive restored there, the C&O 2700, first came from the factory in the 1940s. Locomotives just like this one served as the backbone of America's economic development, transporting everything from coal to passengers across the nation's railroads. Students not only captured the full exteriors of these trains, but also the intricate details both inside and out of certain engines, detailing the years of service they have undergone.
"It was so interesting to imagine the history of the different train cars considering how old they were, and it was cool to see the history through the worn-away paint and rusted metal," said senior photographer, Grace Mossad.
After spending two hours at the Preservation Society, the students ventured to Coventry, a neighborhood in Cleveland known for its mix of culture, art, food, and history. Coventry has been an artistic hub since the 1960s, and its blend of old and new elements made it the perfect location for the student photographers to explore street photography.
In Coventry, students explored the art of capturing moments from everyday life. From colorful murals to people walking on the sidewalks, every photograph seemed to tell a story. Coventry is known for its mix of historic architecture and modern businesses, giving students the chance to capture the changing landscape. For example, one of the most popular subject matters for the students to explore was the local stores. The stores were mostly small businesses, and students were interested in capturing details, from products being sold to the architecture of the buildings.
Students spent about an hour photographing the neighborhood of Coventry, including its streets, shops, and restaurants.
For many students, this trip was not just an opportunity to improve their technical skills, but also a chance to see the world in a new way, to think more deeply about their photographic process. The combination of industrial history and modern urban culture environments created a day full of contrasting ideas for the photography students. Though the rainy, chilly weather may have been unpleasant, it added to the mood of the photos, and challenged the students. As they returned to school that afternoon, their cameras were full of pictures detailing the story of Cleveland's industrial history and the history of Coventry, capturing history, culture, and people. These images will serve as both the students' final projects, but also as a reminder of the day they documented and explored.
