Frank Lopez’s goal for the Greenhill photography program is for it to be considered one of the best, not just in Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS), but in the nation.

He is working on bringing in all facets of the medium to his classes, from historical printmaking and classical black and white printing to the most current tools and techniques.

"It’s learning stuff like that that makes us better photographers," said senior Dana Gross, who is in his Advanced Placement (AP) Photography class. "Plus, it’s really fun and interesting to do."

Micheal Manes, head of fine arts, shares Mr. Lopez’s view about mixing old and new photography techniques.

"The direction of the photography program has changed dramatically, including an emphasis on photography as a more abstract art form," Mr. Manes said. "The primary goal for the future of photography at Greenhill is to continue to explore and institute the digital process and while keeping it artistic in theory, and we also want to maintain the traditional black and white film process."

All three of Mr. Lopez’s AP photography students last year earned fives for their portfolios.

In addition, his students have been winning in local photography competitions.

"I think he’s had so much success because he really pays attention to detail," Dana said. "He doesn’t stop until he makes sure the student produces the best image possible."

Mr. Lopez graduated in 1990 from East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas, a school known for its dedication to photographic arts and one of the best schools for commercial photography in the Southwest. Mr. Lopez is still an Associate Professor in Photography at the university and teaches a class every other year in historical printmaking. He is in his second year of teaching at Greenhill.

Mr. Lopez began taking pictures in sixth grade when his mother brought home an old Polaroid Sx-70 camera.

"I quickly fell in love with the instantaneous magic that was Polaroid and learned more and more as I went along," Mr. Lopez said.

Mr. Lopez’s first introduction to the darkroom was in his sophomore year of high school in a class project.

"I taught myself how to print and process and soon realized that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life," he said.

Mr. Lopez has been teaching photography on and off since 1989.

"I initially taught basic photography classes while I was still an undergraduate in college," Mr. Lopez said. "It progressed into teaching professional photography workshops, lectures, and then an Associate Professorship."

Mr. Lopez has had close to 20 years of experience, but this is his first full time teaching position at a high school.

This past summer Mr. Lopez took a solo trip to Vietnam to take pictures of life in Vietnam.

"I had been trying to go for years now with a colleague of mine who is Vietnamese, but we could never coordinate our time properly, so I decided I was going to go without a guide or knowing the language," Mr. Lopez said.

While in Vietnam, Mr. Lopez spent time in Ho Chi Minh, Hue, Hoi An, Halong Bay, Hanoi, and Sapa.

"I think the most interesting part of the trip was walking down crowded streets in Hanoi, butchering the language as I tried to say rudimentary phrases and being welcomed by anyone I met," Mr. Lopez said.

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The following students received recognition at The Association of Texas Photographic Instructors fall contest on Nov. 3. Nearly 3,000 pieces were submitted by students from 60 schools from around the country and Greenhill won the second most awards as a photographic program.

3rd Adv. Alternative: Barnik Saha

1st & Hon. Mention for Adv. Architecture: Jacob Goodman

1st Adv. Sports: Jacob Goodman

2nd Adv. Landscape: Tonya Lee

3rd Adv. Landscape: Jack Beckwitt

Hon. Mention Adv. News: Thomas Allison

3rd Beg. Architecture: Callie Rhoades

3rd Still Life: Callie Rhoades

1st Hon. Mention Beg. Landscape: Dylan Brown

BEST OF SHOW

Beg. division: Christina Rees