OKLAHOMA CITY --Visual artists – painters, sculptors and photographers – each see the world in a unique way. Each artist births their art through a personal world view. And when that artist is young, this view is often filled with questions, color and energy.
Such is the story for nine of ENN's student photographers.
Each photographer, all high school age or younger, has spent the semester learning the basics of photojournalism.
By fall, they were ready for a challenge; a serious one.
All nine photographers were tasked with an idea that, at first, seemed simple: photograph a 24-hour cycle in Oklahoma.
The assignment proved to be more difficult than they expected.
Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, they set out to show life in their state during a particular time cycle. Their photos could cover any subject – provided people in the photos were identified and the time was logged.
For some, transportation was limited and, of course, the Covid-19 pandemic hampered their efforts. Each student, however, overcame those handicaps and each excelled. The assignment also gave me, their instructor, a chance to participate with them. I took the final 9 p.m. to midnight shift.
The results became this project. Twenty-four hours, nine student photographers, one pandemic and limited public access. What makes this project so unique is the images are viewed through the eyes of high school students.
Their collective vision is unique. It's a view of Oklahoma that isn't dark or menacing but instead, bright and active and, on occasion, even humorous.
It's also a way to remind us of the power of art and light. For me, my students have reaffirmed the fact that, more often than not, the simple act of being human is quite profound.
ENN is proud to present its first photo documentary: Oklahoma in 24 Hours.
Editor's Note: To see full size versions of the photos, without captions, click on the photo to load the entire gallery. Photographers participating in this project include: Alexis Adams, Bekah Disney, Hannah Rose, Keagan Blakley, Ashton Sullivan, Kelcey Stevenson, Chris Rabourn, Nathan Ritter and Trinity Rutledge.
12:01 a.m. Enid. Clouds fill the Oklahoma sky in an Garfield County neighborhood. Photo by Kelcey Stevenson
1:19 a.m. Enid. Preston Stevenson, staying up late, plays with Christmas lights. Photo by Kelcey Stevenson
3:40 a.m. Sapulpa. A truck driver makes an early morning run on Historic Route 66. Photo by Nathan Ritter
4:27 a.m. Sapulpa. A bug's eye view of Route 66 in Sapulpa. Photo by Nathan Ritter
5:55 a.m. Sapulpa. The Farmers feed store just before opening. Photo by Nathan Ritter
6 a.m. Oklahoma City. A lonely stoplight keeps at vigil on NW 23rd Street. Photo by Chris Rabourn.
7:15 a.m. Oklahoma City. A Wal-Mart gas station is quiet at 7:15 in the morning. Photo by Chris Rabourn.
9:18 a.m. Blanchard. Trees in Blanchard are silhouetted agains a cold, overcast sky. Photo by Ashton Sullivan
9:29 a.m. Edmond. Jackson Rutledge plays in the leaves at a park in Edmond. Photo by Trinity Rutledge.
9:48 a.m. Edmond. Two women walk their puppies at Hafer Park. Photo by Trinity Rutledge.
10:42 a.m. Edmond. Nanette Guimera walks the trail at Hafer Park. Photo by Trinity Rutledge.
11:10 a.m. Blanchard. An early afternoon sun in North Central Oklahoma. Photo by Ashton Sullivan.
11:48 a.m. Blanchard. Chickens, Tina (top) and Kip (bottom) have lunch in Blanchard. Photo by Ashton Sullivan.
1 p.m. Hydro. A man and his son walk around the ‘Labyrinth’ at P Bar Farms. Photo by Alexis Adams.
2 p.m. Hydro. A baby goat, a resident of P Bar Farms, smiles for the camera. Photo by Alexis Adams.
3 p.m. Weatherford. Sonya Adams, left, Keith Mooney and Jennifer Mooney and their dogs spend the afternoon watching the soccer game at Weatherford's Rader Park. Photo by Alexis Adams.
3:28 p.m. Oklahoma City. A pumpkin patch near the Myriad Gardens draws several children. Photo by Keagan Blakley.
3:54 p.m. Oklahoma City. The chairs of the Oklahoma City Memorial. Photo by Hannah Rose.
4:34 p.m. Oklahoma City. Visitors to the Myriad Garden explore the end of the river. Photo by Keagan Blakley.
4:46 p.m. Oklahoma City. Two A people talk at the base of the a statute at Downtown's Leadership Square. Photo by Keagan Blakley.
5:09 p.m. Arcadia. A field of cotton shines in the Oklahoma sun. Photo by Hannah Rose.
5:19 p.m. Oklahoma City. The Plant People show, at 323 NW 10th Street, attracts a few customers. Photo by Keagan Blakley.
5:56 p.m. Arcadia. The soda bottle light, a feature of the Pops Convenience Story beckons visitors to historic Route 66. Photo by Hannah Rose.
6 p.m. Guthrie. An early evening sun illuminates a field in Guthrie. Photo by Bekah Disney.
6:35 p.m. Guthrie. ENN Photo Editor Bekah Disney takes a break (and a photo) of the sitting Oklahoma sun. Photo by Bekah Disney.
7 p.m. Guthrie. Sunset - Oklahoma style. Photo by Bekah Disney.
8:56 p.m. Guthrie. A three-quarter moon, seen from Logan County. Photo by Bekah Disney.
9:48 p.m. A lone Cottonwood Tree sparkles agains a late October moon. Photo by M. Scott Carter
11:48 p.m. Yale. Downtown Yale is quiet near midnight. Photo by M. Scott Carter