MURPHYSBORO - Five months after graduating from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Lane Christiansen found herself on the other end of the learning curve Friday.

Christiansen, a photographer serving a two-year residency with the Chicago Tribune, returned to Southern Illinois this weekend to coach SIUC photojournalism students in the school's first weekend workshop, a three-day effort to teach students, improve their skills and record varying slices of life in Murphysboro, the Jackson County seat.

Standing outside George's Resale on Walnut Street, where she provided advice and guidance to junior photojournalism major Steve Berczynski, Christiansen said the choice to help with the program was an easy one.

"I feel like I owe a lot to the program," said Christiansen. "When I heard this was happening, I was ecstatic because I have been dying for a workshop to be down here, and Murphysboro is the best place to do it ... It's a small Americana town. ... There are very few places like this around."

Christiansen joined a variety of other professionals from across the country, representing media outlets including National Geographic, National Public Radio and AOL, to aid and teach the about 30 students participating in the program, spearheaded by SIUC assistant professor of journalism Mark Dolan.

"I'm very happy with the enthusiasm that the coaches are bringing to the table, and the students seem to be feeding off of that," Dolan said early Friday, as event organizers entered the hustle of the event's first day. The event continues through Sunday.

Photos collected through the weekend will be placed on a Web site being built by an SIUC class, displayed in a photo gallery exhibit and possibly used as the basis for a coffee table book if funding for can be secured.

For the students, however, the event represents much more than the end product. It offers an opportunity to receive firsthand advice while working with coaches in the field and a chance to use state-of-the-art photography and editing equipment supplied by companies like Canon and Apple.

"It's been a fun experience, and I feel like I'm really learning a lot. There's a lot of opportunities to learn," said Ashley Andersen, a senior photojournalism major from Wheaton, after spending an hour with Murphysboro artist Angarola, the subject of one of the stories she had been assigned to tell. "I'm really looking forward to challenging myself, getting to know people and improving the way I approach and shoot a story."

Berczynski, who had been assigned to shoot photos at George's Resale and Sallie Logan Public Library, agreed with Andersen, adding the experience helps rejuvenate the photojournalism spirit.

"It's unbelievably helpful, and it's a great way to get re-energized," he said. "I'm looking forward to hearing from the different professionals and hearing their takes on my takes."

adam.testa@thesouthern.com

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