Bitten by the shutterbug

Molly Shore

Marsha Graniel has parlayed her interest in music and photography

into a successful combination.

The John Burroughs High School senior is this year’s winner of the

fifth annual Music Center’s Spotlight Awards in photography. Her

winning photograph, which carries a $1,500 cash award, is a head shot

of a young man wearing earphones with musical notes superimposed over

his face.

“It’s a big honor,” said Marsha’s photography instructor, Tim

Brehm. “I don’t know of any other high school situation where a kid

wins a cash award.”

Marsha, 17, said she is surprised that out of 300 photographic

submissions from students in schools throughout the Southern

California area, she emerged victorious.

“I thought when I turned in my picture, there would be more

pictures better than this one,” she said. “I was shocked when I won.”

Marsha first picked up a camera when she was 12, and she has been

immersed in photography ever since. Her interest helps her to better

understand the world, she said.

“It shows to me every time I look through the camera a whole

different world,” Marsha said. “It has a mystery behind it. Mostly

when I look at a picture when it’s done, I see its theme.”

In explaining her winning entry, Marsha said her subject is simply

listening to his music and not minding what is going on in the world

around him.

In addition, two other Burroughs students -- seniors Curran Wedner

and Pachaporn Jandensen -- were among the 15 finalists in the

competition.

Marsha will be presented with her award at an April 22 ceremony at

the Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.