Mac McDonald: Artist of the Issue

The vibrant green of a dandelion sprouting from a blacktop and red-brick background; the black and white story of a rainy day; New York City in overexposed light. These are just three of the images that Mac McDonald ’13 has captured on camera and turned into beautiful photographs.

McDonald appreciates the breadth of photography and realizes the ability the photographer has to influence his viewers.

“You can look at the world from a different point of view and shape people’s views of different things by taking the picture a certain way,” he noted.

McDonald became interested in photography last year in Photo I and continues his pursuits in AP Photography this year, experimenting with new techniques through different projects in class.

“Over the last two weeks Mac has experimented with printing processes dating back to the 19th century. He will be submitting two gorgeous photographs to the College Board printed with the Platinum/Palladium process. He used contact negatives, hand-coated paper, and UV rays from the sun to create these prints,” explained photography teacher Tim Trelease.

Mac’s portrait is currently hanging in the lower level of the Arm’s building, and exhibits his new favorite photography technique: overexposure.

“I really like overexposed images. Super bright, or maybe a little out of focus. For instance, in my portrait there are only highlights. There is no visual junk so you only get what is necessary in the picture,” McDonald said of his aesthetic.

McDonald has had opportunities to take pictures outside of the Deerfield area, and has taken advantage of them. His picture of Times Square is currently on display at a gallery in Greenfield. He explained, “We took a field trip to New York City and went to the Museum of Modern Art, the International Center of Photography, and Times Square. Mr. Trelease told me it is very hard to capture Times Square, one of the most photographed areas in the world, and make it your own.”

Hoping to make more locations his own through photography, McDonald plans on taking his camera on his upcoming travels, noting, “I’m going to the Island School soon and I’m bringing the school camera with me, and this summer I’m going to back to Cambodia.”