Well-known Birmingham photographer Bob Farley has been interested in photography and the idea of journalism since childhood. In high school, he bought his first camera and worked for the yearbook and newspaper, which led to a photo journalism internship with the local newspaper his senior year.

In an effort to provide photography experience to a new generation, Farley donated a considerable amount of camera equipment to Birmingham-Southern College.

While speaking to the Trussville Photography Club in April, Farley brought in some old equipment to use as examples. One member of the club was the parent of a current BSC student that was interested in still-photography, and suggested that Farley consider donating the equipment to the College.

Farley was familiar with BSC, from knowing multiple professors and working on stories with the Birmingham Post-Herald, so he decided that giving back to educate future photographers was the right choice. Farley attended the Missouri School of Journalism before moving to Birmingham in 1988 to work for the Birmingham Post-Herald. He spent close to 20 years working as both an editor and a photographer.

In 2005, he decided to become a full-time photographer. His specialization is in people and events for corporate, advertising, and editorial clients.

“No one gets to where they are by themselves,” Farley says. “I was given opportunities from people I didn’t have personal connections with that allowed me to do things I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to do. It is part of being part of a community.”

The media and film studies department received a Lowell light kit. Department Chair Dr. Teddy Champion says the light kit will be housed in their new studio and used for interviews, student exercises, and occasionally out in the field.

Farley also donated several 35mm film cameras, digital SLR cameras, and lenses to the art department.

“The equipment will become part of the collection of cameras and lenses that are available to students for use when enrolled in photography courses,” says Pamela Venz, art professor. “The collection allows students to experience professional-level photographic equipment if they do not have access to that equipment themselves.”

Senior art major Mary Beth Yaeger has already benefited from using this collection of equipment. While taking Venz’s intro class on basic camera mechanics, part of the course required possession of a film camera, which costs about $500. Yaeger, who is paying her own way through school, says purchasing even a used camera was not a viable option.

Photo taken by Mary Beth Yaeger

“Donations like this are so necessary for students like me,” Yaeger says. “It really means a lot more than just a dollar amount.”

Being able to use a film camera from the collection allowed Yaeger to learn about the basics of motion and light, how to manipulate a camera, and helped her develop a new skill.

Photo taken by Sara Jones

Sara Jones, a senior political science major, became infatuated with photography after taking her first intro class. She is now in Venz’s more advanced photography lab course.

“I’ve tried other art mediums before, but the thing with photography is that it is hard to get started because you need a quality camera,” Jones says. “If this collection had not existed I would never have been able to try out something so new, just because of a lack of equipment.”

Correction: A version of this story in the Fall/Winter 2019 issue of ’Southern mistakenly identified Pamela Venz as chair of the art department. Dr. Kathleen Spies is chair of the art department until May 2020.