The work of seven MCC students is on display at the Ray Frederick Art Gallery through noon on April 13. The exhibit is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during weekdays and closed on weekends.

While the majority of students displaying work are from Iowa, some are from other countries including Venezuela and Serbia.

“It’s a really diverse mix of students and therefore a mix of ideas and viewpoints,” Castle said. “I think the public will be really intrigued with the various viewpoints and ideas that the students have explored.”

He said his photography students have voiced their appreciation for the opportunity to display their work publicly for MCC employees, the community and other students to see.

T-R Photo by Trevor Babcock — Photography from MCC students currently on display at the Ray Frederick Art Gallery now through April 13.

“That is just so exciting for them that people come in and see it,” Castle said. “It’s a professional experience as well, because it’s a public venue and gallery and therefore

Castle pushes students to make creative choices when photographing their subjects, basing his photography courses around “fine art” photography. While students learn how to take photographs in a reporting setting, staged photography and constructed reality is a big part of his teachings. Some of the assignments he gives to students ask them to explore a particular theme or idea such as fear or something poetic.

“It is not necessary for the viewer to know what the particular concepts are,” Castle said. “It was intended to help each student realize that there are many ways to take photographs.”

He said in the advancing digital world, having knowledge of shot composition and comfortability with a camera is an increasingly valuable skill to possess.

“Students can apply it to just about everything they do,” Castle said. “It could be applied to just `about any field, probably every occupation. Digital imagery is just so ubiquitous. It’s everywhere.”

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Contact Trevor Babcock at 641-753-6611 or tbabcock@timesrepublican.com.