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Show i' 1 "l" ,1 The above photograph is one of SUSC photographer Boyd Redington's favorites. The model is SUSC student and Yearbook Editor Linda Gregerson. Boyd Redington's eye never blinks By JACQUELINE COATNEY ' Record Feature Writer The photographer moves in close to the stage in hopes of finding just the right angle. This shot will be of Macbeth and might just end up on the cover of ( i V Southern Utah State College, his work appears in newspaper releases, scholarship photographs, sporting stories and conference stories. His job also includes covering workshops, lectures, celebrities and the Shakespearean Festival. During a break in shooting Festival photos, Redington talks with the Record. How does someone start a career in photography? For Redington, the interest in-terest in photography began at the age of eight. "I sent a cereal coupon and 25 cents away, and I received a 2 by 3 inch camera," he said, adding, "My mother probably deserves much of the credit because she always was interested in pictures." Upon leaving the Army in 1955, Redington happened to spot an advertisement ad-vertisement for a dark room technician opening in Cedar City. This brought him to Cedar City from Salt Lake. The job was his, and the next years were spent learning the craft. When asked how the job at SUSC came about Redington, explained, "In 1968, after doing work for the college yearbook year-book Editor George Day, I found there was going to be an opening in the photo services." Redington remained close to the college and was awarded the job. In discussing the celebrities he has met, Redington said, "I never thought that I would meet any celebrities." He was mistaken, however. Over the years, Redington has come in contact with many, among them singer Linda Ronstadt, astronaut James Irwin and Sen. Barry Goldwater.. A question about future work brought a quick response and a smile, "I would like to work with form and texture," he explained. "This is working with weathered woods and old buildings. I See REDINGTON on Page 7 BOYD REDINGTON Utah Holiday Magazine. The television screen flashes colorful aerials of the Utah Shakespearean Festival and invites tourists and locals to visit Cedar City for the annual event. The photographs and aerials were both taken by Cedar Citian Bpyd Redington. As photographer for Redington continued from page 1 also would like to do more free lance work. "Another area of interest is photographing Indian Americans in their native costumes. "My great-grandmother great-grandmother was full-blooded Shosone and my grandfather was a half Shosone who lived to be 103 years old." Ironically, the interest was only recently kindled when Redington was approached about taking pictures for a Paiute Family. The question of picking a favorite photograph was like picking a favorite child, he said . . . after an extended silence Redington responded, "My favorite color shot is One of Utah's Rainbow Bridge taken through an actual ac-tual rainbow." The shot came about by breaking one of the rules of photography - shooting towards the sun. Redington has a huge assignment with the Utah Shakespearean Festival each year, taking all publicity photographs except individual cast memberd por-. por-. traits. Redington proudly noted, "I ; acted in Taming of the Shrew, the Festival's opening year." Now, 19 years later, the Festival will be selling posters, coloring books and shirts I featuring Redington's actors, as taken , through his photos. He pointed out the , Festival's progress: "The 1963 Festival I year was 3200 people who attended, , versus 26,000 in 1978." , When asled what he hoped his pictures did for the Festival, Redington said, "I want them to portray what the Festival is all about: a very pleasant experience. People who have not been to the Festival before judge it by the publicity, and photographs are a part of that publicity." As to the aspect of his job Redington enjoys the most, he said, "The young people are great. I see what they are doing and their enthusiasm tends to rub off." As a direct result of his association with students, Redington took up waterskiing and motorcycling. As ad visor to the skydiving club, he took his first parachute jump at the age of 42. Redington is the father of six children, five boys and a girl. Although his work is clearly very important to him, he emphasized, em-phasized, "My children and my relationship to them is the most important im-portant thing in my life." Part of the photographer's time is spent training student assistants. He proudly mentioned the fact that last year's assistant, senior G'Ne McEldowney, received national recognition in Rocky Mountain Magazine for her pictures of Robert Redford taken at a campus function. Redington, who is appreciative of different forms of art, traveled extensively ex-tensively during his stay in the Army, spending l2 years in Europe, "While I visited the Lourve in Paris, and in Amsterdam the Queen's Museum." He is also an admirer of Ansel Adam's photography. "He has done a lot of work in Yosemite and nature photography," Redington said. In his leisure time Redington enjoys , hiking and outdoor activities. "I do my hunting with a camera rather than with a rifle." He considers Southern Utah his home and finds it perfect for scenic photography. When the topic of MX missile was mentioned, Redington lamented "With the influx of people it is getting harder and harder to find a place to be alone. It is already difficult." In recognition for his service to Southern Utah State College and its students, Redington received the President's Award in 1979, which generally goes to an outstanding staff member. Redington said, "My work requires 750-1000 roles of film each year, both black and white and color." His photographs are often the final stimulus to visitors deciding to come to the Festival from all over the nation and to Cedar City. He has come a long way from the little boy taking photos with his mail-order plastic camera. |