Gabriella Mercado, a student in the Digital Media Arts program at the Clearfield County Career and Technology Center (CCCTC), recently put her creative talents to work through a hands-on photography and video editing project centered around long exposure techniques.
The project introduced students to light painting—a striking photography style that uses controlled light and slow shutter speeds to create dramatic visual effects. Gabriella experimented with different lighting tools and camera settings, learning how each element influences the final image.
With a chosen design theme in mind, she created a storyboard and developed a series of photos to match her artistic vision. Once the photography phase was complete, she moved into post-production using Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom to enhance the images and bring them to life.
To finish the project, Gabriella transformed her visuals into a multimedia video presentation. Through the use of transitions, animated keyframes, sound effects, and background music, she crafted a video that reflected her unique perspective and creativity.
Even though all students followed the same core assignment, Gabriella’s final product showcased her individual approach, proving how one project can lead to many different creative outcomes.
This experience highlights the depth of CCCTC’s Digital Media Arts program, where students learn both technical and artistic skills that prepare them for careers in today’s digital world.