Say 'cheese:' Photo teacher shares love of art

Kyle Petersen, adjunct professor of photography, is the newest temporary addition to the SUU Visual Arts Department.

Petersen graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., and received his master's degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta.

Petersen was highly recommended by Savannah College of Art and Design, Art Department Chair Eric Brown said.

"So, we were thrilled to get him for that reason," Art Department Chair Eric Brown said.

Petersen's areas of expertise are digital photography and Photoshop, Petersen said.

"I've explored a variety of subject matter," he said. "Most recently, I worked on a project called Phantasm in which I used multiple exposure techniques and digital technology to create surreal, cerebral portraits."

Petersen said his love for photography began long before college.

"I fell in love with photography when I took a darkroom photography class my senior year of high school and I have been hooked ever since," he said.

Although his contract is only for this year, Petersen said he hopes he will have the opportunity to stay longer in Cedar City.

"I have never lived out west before, so I thought it would be a fun adventure and an interesting change of pace to move to Cedar City," he said.

Although Petersen said he has enjoyed living in Cedar City, it is different from the larger cities he comes from.

"I am used to living in metropolitan areas like Atlanta and Chicago, so Cedar City is definitely a change of pace," he said. "I love the small community vibe here, everyone is friendly and accommodating."

Being so close to state and national parks is another perk of the area, Petersen said.

"I also have never had such great access to national parks," he said. "I've already made one camping trip to Zion."

Although this is his first full-time teaching position, faculty and staff have helped to make the transition easier, Petersen said.

"I have had a great experience at SUU so far," he said. "Everyone in the art department has been great with helping me get prepared for my classes. The students have been wonderful and seem very enthusiastic for all my classes."

Brown said students seem to be eager for Petersen's classes.

"It seems like he's getting good feedback from students and (Petersen) is enjoying being here," he said. "He's doing a great job and we have so many students who want to study photography that it's in really high demand."

Kyler Davis, a freshman computer science major from Cedar City, takes Petersen's Intro to Photography class.

"The class is going really well so far," he said.

The class has been easy to understand so far, Davis said.

"I like the way he teaches and the way he brings out the subjects and teaches about the different types of photography and different types of cameras," he said. "I like his teaching style. He's kind of younger so I can relate to the way he talks more."