By Shanda Block/entertainment editor

Those who want to get a taste of Italy and France can get it from a few students who visited the countries last summer.

The small group of photography students went to the countries on an educational trip, and the results of their work are on display in College Hall (NCAB 1111) on NE Campus through Dec. 1.

It’s a Matter of Perspective includes the photography of 23 participants. The exhibit is available for viewing 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday.

“This is the TCC study abroad program in photography,” said Patricia Richards, a TCC photography instructor.

TCC students in the photography program take a similar trip each year. The trip has been going on since 2001. Past trips have taken students to various cities throughout Italy and France.

This year, while in Italy and France, students went to Rome, Assisi, San Galgano (a monastery and abandoned abbey), a 16th century villa in the Tuscan hills, Venice, Paris and Milan.

For those who can afford the trip, which can cost between $2,000 and $3,000 per student, it is worth the money, said Bridget Short, a NE photography student who went on the trip.

Short said the members on this past trip would gather for meetings every so often and were given assignments by Richards, such as having to capture romance in Florence or a scavenger hunt to find the Roman amphitheater. 

Short said her favorite place to visit on the trip was Venice. She also liked seeing the boats as taxis in the city and the gelato.

“There was a gelato on every corner,” Short said.

In every city, the students got a chance to explore and take photographs of their discoveries.

“I did the Valentino window display and then I had Burano, Lucca and Florence,” said Sharla Heath, NE photography student, describing her photography on display at the exhibit.

“I guess mine are more geared to Italian culture.”

Short said she didn’t think she was getting good photos while on the trip, but they turned out better than she expected.

“Most of mine were lucky shots,” she said.

Short and Heath both agreed they would recommend this trip for others.

Richards is offering a study abroad class during spring break in southern Spain, a Maymester class in Italy and a summer class in June in France.

For more information about the study abroad photography program, contact Richards at patricia.richards@tccd.edu or 817-515-6590.