Protected and guided

Five weeks into my internship at The Wenatchee World, I am just now being called “intern.”

At the World, “intern” is a term of endearment. Every day since I arrived May 29, I have been treated as a colleague, not as a trainee.

My first day, I was tossed to lions. Never having shot for a newspaper, I was sent out on assignment with a reporter, expected to come back with a photo for page A2. I was nervous, apprehensive and a little scared.

Even though the picture wasn't great, it ran. The photographers I work with were nice enough to give me some pointers. The rest of the week, I ran out on assignments just like the rest of them. Four days later, my photo of the Wenatchee High School graduation ceremony ran almost full page on A1.

I have not been coddled, babied or yelled at. Everyone helps, whether through quiet supervision or constructive criticism. The more than 80 combined years of photography experience looking over my shoulder gives me protection and guidance, increasing my confidence in my ability to produce good work.

It's like having a crew of older brothers watching over me five days a week.

-- Dianne Bentz, University of Montana, The Wenatchee (Wash.) World