By Lindsey Cole
The Oshawa Express

Zinnia Naqui carefully focuses the camera on an architectural accent inside the Durham College Student Centre.
She snaps away trying to capture every detail. Her teammate Gillian Hall also tries to capture the unique aspects to architectural designs across Durham College’s Oshawa campus.
“We’ve been looking around campus,” says Naqui, adding this is the type of project she truly enjoys.
“I like to be able to capture stuff. To put emotions to it,” adds Hall.
These two Grade 12 students joined around 60 others from secondary schools across the region for Durham College’s technology and trades skills competition held during the college’s winter break.
A release from the college states this competition gives students an opportunity to showcase their talents in technological and automotive skills.
There were competitors in 2 and 3D animation, television and video production, photography, desktop publishing and graphic design.
The second competition in automotive skills involved auto repair challenges using a GMC Denali, a Buick Allure, a Toyota Corolla and a Dodge Caravan.
Both competitions were judged by faculty members from Durham College and the Durham District School Board (DDSB).
The idea behind the event was to give students hands-on experience in fields they enjoy, using classrooms, labs, shops, state-of-the-art technology and equipment offered at the college.
For both Naqui and Hall, photography is something they are very interested in, and may consider for a career.
“It’s a different kind of art form,” Naqui says.
“You can take something that is living and show a different aspect to it.”
The two are being judged on a variety of elements, they say, including composition and photo enhancement.