Sony Canada donates $20,000 in gear to Georgian College’s Digital Photography and Imaging program

Nov. 30, 2016

Georgian’s Digital Photography and Imaging students will benefit from an in-kind donation of $20,000 worth of professional gear by Sony Canada for the next year.

“Georgian is one of only six schools in Canada to participate in this program that puts $20,000 worth of professional gear in students’ hands for a year,” said Rob Skeoch, Manager of Digital Imaging Events and Training, Consumer Products Group, Sony Canada.

The gear, which includes five camera bodies and assorted lenses, is among the best Sony makes. These cameras are mirrorless – a new trend in camera gear. That makes them different from the DSLR systems with which the students are used to working. Several of the donated items are actually on back order for the general public, so it’s an incredible coup to have them available to Georgian’s photography students.

Gaining experience on this high-end equipment will give Georgian students an advantage when they graduate, in both assisting other photographers and making important decisions when it comes to equipping their own practice. These unique cameras use exceptionally sharp lenses, can work under extremely low light conditions and can shoot without making a sound.

“Sony is massively generous to us and they have given our students the opportunity to shoot with the best cameras and lenses they make, allowing our students to push creative boundaries within a new camera format,” said Peter Stranks, Digital Photography and Imaging faculty member. “At graduation, our students will have a robust portfolio and real-world experience on a system that would otherwise be challenging for a newcomer in the field to access.”

The Georgian-Sony connection was forged when Stranks met Skeoch at a workshop he hosted for Stranks’ film union. Stranks invited him to Georgian and toured him around the Barrie Campus. Skeoch also learned how the photography students have benefitted from past equipment donations. Skeoch attended Georgian’s trade show last year with sample gear and with five ballet dancers for the students to photograph – at no charge. This past summer, he contacted Stranks with the offer to lend Sony Canada equipment.

Stranks added that Georgian’s Digital Photography and Imaging faculty are privileged to have very close ties to key players in the industry.

“It’s a small family and the respect accorded to our program is a testament to the quality of our faculty and students graduating from Georgian,” he said.

“It’s amazing that a well-known company like Sony has offered us this incredible equipment to learn on and practise new techniques for the year,” said Ryan Wesley, second-year Digital Photography and Imaging student.