Saber Photography Club (SPC) is James Campbell High School’s (JCHS) photo and video club. The club’s main purpose is to give students the opportunity to provide coverage of the school through digital media. The club is also the largest club on campus and has over 100 members which is managed by six student officers and two advisors. The club’s two advisors are Oscar Ramiscal, a photography teacher at JCHS, and Jerry Oishi, the school’s Tech Coordinator.
Many students have covered JCHS’s events through SPC. These events range from the school’s sports, fairs, assemblies and more. However, the club has been mainly featured across the state of Hawai’i for their coverage of the school’s athletics. Most notably, multiple photos taken by SPC’s members have been most featured by companies like ESPN Honolulu and Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Most recently, eight members of the club were allowed field access at UH Mānoa to cover the JCHS’ first Open Division Football State Championship Game appearance in which some of their photos were featured by ESPN.
In order for a member to cover an event, they must first sign up days prior at the club’s homeroom located inside of the JCHS Creative Media building. After requesting and getting approved to cover an event by an advisor, their name will be placed on the reservation list of photographers. On the day of the event, students will report back to the club’s homeroom after school hours where they will be able to borrow professional photography gear with no additional costs. The gear typically includes the basic essentials such as a camera, a lens, a battery and a memory card but gear like tripods and camera monitors may be added along as well depending on the type of event being covered. Additionally, the photographer is typically provided with transportation along with the people of the event unless they would like to use their own mode of transportation.
Jabin Tolentino is a senior at JCHS and is the club’s treasurer. He has been a member of the club since his freshman year and has been doing photography ever since. Tolentino said, “I’m really glad the club is doing as good as it has since I joined. It allowed me to practice my photography skills and help other members develop their skills as well. I’m very grateful for the opportunities it has given me and I am looking forward to seeing how the club and its members continue to grow.”
As Saber Photography Club continues to provide coverage and welcome new members, new talent continues to arise and grow with it.
