Ocean Student’s Passion Leads To Winning Photograph For
By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
An Ocean Township High School student turned an interest in Asbury Park’s Metropolitan Hotel into a winning photo in a contest sponsored by the Photographic Society of America.
Brianna Deane, a senior, said she can’t explain why, but she has had a “passion” for the now demolished Metropolitan Hotel, since first seeing it as a sophomore.
“I try to explain it to myself and I’m still not sure why I was drawn to that building. I just think about how people laughed in these rooms, people cried in these in rooms – it’s sort of a transcendental connection.”
Deane said she began photographing the hotel even before it was designated for demolition.
When she learned it would be demolished, she began contacting Henry Vaccaro, who was in charge of the demolition.
When the time finally came for the demolition, Deane was allowed on the site.
“The crew was really great, they let me on the site – I took tons of pictures.”
One of those photos, “Demolition Day,” was chosen by PSA for publication in September’s issue of “PSA Journal.”
Along with publication of her photo Deane received a $100 award from Freestyle Photographic Supplies, a $50 PSA award and a year’s subscription to the magazine.
Deane won in the Architecture category of the 2008 PSA Youth Showcase.
Along with being published the print was on exhibit at the PSA’s annual meeting Sept. 3.
Thomas Collins, digital photography and applied technology teacher at the high school, said Brianne is “the best.”
“Her interest level is just so high,” he said. “She has gone on to do more than anybody we’ve had here.”
Deane said when she took her first photography course sophomore year, she and her mother drove around Asbury Park looking for buildings she could shoot.
Deane has always had a particular interest in abandoned buildings.
Next year Deane will attend Antonelli Institute in Erdenheim, Pa. to study photography and graphic arts.
“They take you through all kinds of photography, “ she said. “I’ll probably find something.”
Throughout high school Deane has attended extra classes for photography including the Monmouth County Arts High School in Sandy Hook, which she attended on Monday afternoons, and weekly classes in Manhattan.
Deane has also won numerous certificates and honorable mentions in photography contests.
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