M. Cui - Watching out for DHS students since 2003
I sent the following letter to Mr. McNally, Mr. Boodey, Mr. George, Mr. Latchaw, Ms. Elliot, and Ms. Whitehead.
I have recently received word of the new yearbook photo requirements, and I am extremely outraged that these restrictions have been issued. I have a brother that graduated a few years ago; he had outdoor portraits, they were not only extremely expensive, but they had class and looked nice. My other brother, who is graduating next year, already scheduled his appointment for senior portraits assuming outdoor photos would be a possibility.
I completely understand the "no hats" and "no writing on clothing" rules. Usually when new rules are issued, you can place yourself in that person's shoes and then say, well, I guess they're coming from here, and that's is why they're doing this. But, as I was reading this memo, I scratched my head and said, "Where is the logic in this mess?"
"Light gray or blue background", "No Patterned background", "No outside shots" -
Did you remember your senior year? Do you remember being excited about having these beautiful photos that were unique? Are you trying to discourage creativity? If the photos weren't taken at a porno shop, or sloppily done in the person's room with a webcam, I'm sure they'll be perfectly fine for a yearbook. Besides, the yearbook this year was done in black and white. Lucky for you, anyone with a color background was in grayscale anyways.
"Perfect tonal range", "No soft focus filter", "Highlight effect around head"-
I know of seniors who did not have the money for professional photos, nor did they have the money for an editing program to add a "highlight effect around the head". How is that fair? Are you getting the feel for how much logic your memo is lacking? You're lucky if no guy next year does a highlighted picture of their private area.
"School dress code in effect" -
That should be assumed by the student, and I understand your point. I'm surprised you have to address that to the students.
"No props or accessories" -
Imagine you're a senior in band. You love your new guitar, you play it for an hour everyday. You feel this is your year, and you want your high school companion, your guitar, to be in the photo with you. I feel there is no problem with that. It shows an intimate impression of the person. We're appreciating our seniors and encouraging them, not trying to override their every ounce of creativity.
"No hats"-
Again, understandable.
"No hands visible"-
If you've had an experience with people making vulgar signs with their hands, I can understand, and if that's the case, you should have written "No vulgar gestures", because like the rule "school dress code in effect", it obviously needs to be reinforced. I cannot see any other reason in creating this restriction.
"No writing on clothing"-
Understandable. But if the clothing says "Dover High School ______ Team", there should be no problem.
Now, I want you to call Expressions Photography, 742-2423. I want you to call and ask them what percentage of their senior photos are outdoors. I want you to ask for a price. Obviously if people are willing to pay that much money for a photo that they could do themselves, they care about presentation, and don't need an authority figure telling them how to make it appropriate. Our valedictorian this year would not have been in the yearbook under these restraints. I think these rules are completely over the top, and completely unnecessary.
Michaela Cui
Class of 2007
If you want shitty senior photos, don't send a letter.
I don't want to post all their e-mails here, you can go to the school website for them or ask me.
REPLIES:
MS. WHITEHEAD
Thanks for your questions about the senior photo specs. I've forwarded your questions to the principal, Mr. George, who can explain the background of the decision. Some of the specs (specifications) that you mentioned (perfect tonal range, etc.) are simply photographic guidelines that are necessary for a good printed quality in the yearbook. I do respect your creativity and individuality and understand your concerns, and I hope that you will show your creativity and individuality in the portraits that you have printed for your personal use (friends, parents, relatives, etc.).
To address financial concerns, the studio that works through the school (MacLean Stevens) will take a photo that meets yearbook requirements and you are under no obligation to pay for your own copies of that photo. They'll supply the school with a proof of the yearbook photo regardless of whether or not you order your own copies from them. Then, you could hire your own photographer for the more expressive/creative photos for your personal use, or have a friend take the photo. That's just one option to deal with financial concerns. You can certainly submit your own yearbook photo and not use MacLean Stevens, as long as your photo meets the yearbook requirements.
I hope this reply helps.
She avoided subjects such as outdoor shots, no hands, and the special effects. Notice she says they have "good printed quality", but what gets me is that she actually made that a REQUIREMENT. Oh, they look nice, so lets make everyone have to edit their photos in order to be pictured in the yearbook.
MR. GEORGE
If you get a chance to speak to the yearbook advisor or if you would like to speak with me about your concerns, I would be pleased to meet with you. You may have been in attendance at the presentation by McLean Stevens studio. If any student has difficulty paying for the photo, there will be no charge. Also, you may have heard about the lawsuit that went to the state supreme court about the Londonderry student's yearbook photo. That has informed the decision about senior pictures this year. Students have every opportunity to have pictures taken with outdoor backgrounds or with instruments or other objects. The only thing we ask is that these pictures be used for the student's own personal photo album and that we gain the consistency mentioned in the school guidelines for the yearbook pictures.
I hope you take the chance to speak with me further about your concerns.
I liked his response. I'm glad he's our principal... he's very practical.
maybe more replies to come...
I have recently received word of the new yearbook photo requirements, and I am extremely outraged that these restrictions have been issued. I have a brother that graduated a few years ago; he had outdoor portraits, they were not only extremely expensive, but they had class and looked nice. My other brother, who is graduating next year, already scheduled his appointment for senior portraits assuming outdoor photos would be a possibility.
I completely understand the "no hats" and "no writing on clothing" rules. Usually when new rules are issued, you can place yourself in that person's shoes and then say, well, I guess they're coming from here, and that's is why they're doing this. But, as I was reading this memo, I scratched my head and said, "Where is the logic in this mess?"
"Light gray or blue background", "No Patterned background", "No outside shots" -
Did you remember your senior year? Do you remember being excited about having these beautiful photos that were unique? Are you trying to discourage creativity? If the photos weren't taken at a porno shop, or sloppily done in the person's room with a webcam, I'm sure they'll be perfectly fine for a yearbook. Besides, the yearbook this year was done in black and white. Lucky for you, anyone with a color background was in grayscale anyways.
"Perfect tonal range", "No soft focus filter", "Highlight effect around head"-
I know of seniors who did not have the money for professional photos, nor did they have the money for an editing program to add a "highlight effect around the head". How is that fair? Are you getting the feel for how much logic your memo is lacking? You're lucky if no guy next year does a highlighted picture of their private area.
"School dress code in effect" -
That should be assumed by the student, and I understand your point. I'm surprised you have to address that to the students.
"No props or accessories" -
Imagine you're a senior in band. You love your new guitar, you play it for an hour everyday. You feel this is your year, and you want your high school companion, your guitar, to be in the photo with you. I feel there is no problem with that. It shows an intimate impression of the person. We're appreciating our seniors and encouraging them, not trying to override their every ounce of creativity.
"No hats"-
Again, understandable.
"No hands visible"-
If you've had an experience with people making vulgar signs with their hands, I can understand, and if that's the case, you should have written "No vulgar gestures", because like the rule "school dress code in effect", it obviously needs to be reinforced. I cannot see any other reason in creating this restriction.
"No writing on clothing"-
Understandable. But if the clothing says "Dover High School ______ Team", there should be no problem.
Now, I want you to call Expressions Photography, 742-2423. I want you to call and ask them what percentage of their senior photos are outdoors. I want you to ask for a price. Obviously if people are willing to pay that much money for a photo that they could do themselves, they care about presentation, and don't need an authority figure telling them how to make it appropriate. Our valedictorian this year would not have been in the yearbook under these restraints. I think these rules are completely over the top, and completely unnecessary.
Michaela Cui
Class of 2007
If you want shitty senior photos, don't send a letter.
I don't want to post all their e-mails here, you can go to the school website for them or ask me.
REPLIES:
MS. WHITEHEAD
Thanks for your questions about the senior photo specs. I've forwarded your questions to the principal, Mr. George, who can explain the background of the decision. Some of the specs (specifications) that you mentioned (perfect tonal range, etc.) are simply photographic guidelines that are necessary for a good printed quality in the yearbook. I do respect your creativity and individuality and understand your concerns, and I hope that you will show your creativity and individuality in the portraits that you have printed for your personal use (friends, parents, relatives, etc.).
To address financial concerns, the studio that works through the school (MacLean Stevens) will take a photo that meets yearbook requirements and you are under no obligation to pay for your own copies of that photo. They'll supply the school with a proof of the yearbook photo regardless of whether or not you order your own copies from them. Then, you could hire your own photographer for the more expressive/creative photos for your personal use, or have a friend take the photo. That's just one option to deal with financial concerns. You can certainly submit your own yearbook photo and not use MacLean Stevens, as long as your photo meets the yearbook requirements.
I hope this reply helps.
She avoided subjects such as outdoor shots, no hands, and the special effects. Notice she says they have "good printed quality", but what gets me is that she actually made that a REQUIREMENT. Oh, they look nice, so lets make everyone have to edit their photos in order to be pictured in the yearbook.
MR. GEORGE
If you get a chance to speak to the yearbook advisor or if you would like to speak with me about your concerns, I would be pleased to meet with you. You may have been in attendance at the presentation by McLean Stevens studio. If any student has difficulty paying for the photo, there will be no charge. Also, you may have heard about the lawsuit that went to the state supreme court about the Londonderry student's yearbook photo. That has informed the decision about senior pictures this year. Students have every opportunity to have pictures taken with outdoor backgrounds or with instruments or other objects. The only thing we ask is that these pictures be used for the student's own personal photo album and that we gain the consistency mentioned in the school guidelines for the yearbook pictures.
I hope you take the chance to speak with me further about your concerns.
I liked his response. I'm glad he's our principal... he's very practical.
maybe more replies to come...