Written by: Mercedes Dubberly, Marketing Intern
Reneé Ittner-McManus’ first time at the South Carolina State Fair was with her two young children in tow. Nowadays, her fair experiences don’t look that much different — except that all the kids she brings are tall enough to ride the rides, have cameras with them, and are students in her photography course.
Ittner-McManus, a photography instructor at the University of South Carolina, is an award-winning photojournalist who has worked across the state and country. Notably, Ittner-McManus spent a large part of her career at The State, the largest newspaper in South Carolina at the time. When she began teaching photography at the University, her goal was to integrate the element of photojournalism into her classes, as the school does not offer it as a major. Ittner-McManus also aimed to get her students out of the classroom and into the real world.
“As a photojournalist, I think it’s integral to their experience and their success to have real-life practice, so I try to find those opportunities for them. In 2021, I found the fair could be one of those opportunities, and it’s become a staple of the class. They get really psyched about it,” Ittner-McManus said.
Photo credit: Tag DuMond
Ittner-McManus’ students are tasked with capturing a variety of different photos during their time covering the S.C. State Fair. Firstly, a feature photo, which is the main shot that captures an S.C. State Fair moment. Then, a detail shot, which is more of a close-up, and an establishing shot, which is a supporting photo for the feature shot.
“I think knowing this assignment is coming helps them get proficient in photography basics quicker because they understand they’re going to really put themselves to the test and apply it in a real-world situation. It gives them a goal and something to look forward to,” Ittner-McMacnus said.
So what makes an iconic photo of the S.C. State Fair? Ittner-McManus weighs in; it’s not a secret, and it’s a lot of components.
The aperture has to be just right so that the subject is in focus, not the background, for example, bringing focus to the detail of tickets in the hands of someone excited to enter the S.C. State Fair for the first time.
The lighting has to be as perfect as can be, highlighting the South Carolina sun as it hits happy riders on the Skyglider.
The shutter speed has to be able to capture motion, whether through freezing a circus act in mid-air for a crisp shot or blurring the lights of the Ferris Wheel for effect.
“All these little things come together, and it takes work, so it’s rewarding to see that progression if they’ve done it well. I look at their takes, and hopefully I see a first grab shot and a correction because there is a obstruction in the background, or you need to up your shutter speed, or the depth of field is too deep It takes a while, that’s why we’re walking around looking for these moments,” the professor said.
For Ittner McManus’ students, the element she stresses the most is the “moment.”
The professor explains, “Their job as a photojournalist is to create interest through the use of composition and lighting. Show me something from a different angle, make it unique and eye-catching. But the most critical element for them to capture is the moment.
“They’re telling a story, and they will not succeed if they don’t capture that. I want them to look for little funny moments, joyful moments, sweet, quiet, precious interactions.”
Those moments include a child getting their face painted, petting a goat for the first time, or having ice cream with that relative they go to the fair with every year.
“The fair is so perfect for an assignment like this because you have smaller children, you have animals, you have families. What more could you want?”
All these opportunities are also part of why the fair has become a cornerstone of Ittner-McManus’ class; they bring an added challenge to the assignment.
“There are no do-overs,” Ittner-McManus always reminds students. “That’s part of the ethics of photojournalism. If you miss something, you can’t say, ‘Can you do that again?’”
There’s also one more element the students are tasked with: the caption. And for this, they must face something more daunting than the tallest of rides — approaching a stranger.
After capturing their moments, Ittner-McManus’ students must talk to the subject of their photo and get information to formulate a caption with, like their name and the significance of the moment that was just caught on camera.
“Part of our preparation now has become interviewing each other in the class. We talk about building connections and relationships because then that information in a caption adds to what you already see, and creates depth to a photo,” she said.
For Ittner-McManus, no matter how many years it’s been, photographing the fair is never just another course assignment.
“As an instructor, this is just what you’re in the business for. I want to create that passion for the art of photojournalism, as well as the community service that goes with it, but I’m not on site when they shoot assignments on their own often, so I don’t know if they get excited about it.
“For this assignment, though, it shows on their face and their eyes. They run up with their cameras and say, ‘I got it!’ What more could you want as an instructor than to have a student be successful and enjoy the process?
“The State Fair helps that come together in such a beautiful way, because they’re enjoying themselves, they’re in a wonderfully positive atmosphere full of things to shoot, and they get to put those skills to use and execute it well, and the reward is right there on their face.”
To make your own SCSF moments, be sure to purchase tickets when they go on sale September 9!
