By Jill Scofield 

The young woman captured in this year’s winning College Seen photo conveys a sense of hope, of an excitement for what’s to come. She takes the viewer back to that thrilling moment in time when the whole world is within one’s grasp and endless possibilities lie ahead.

That’s exactly what photographer and community college student Dustin Peterson was shooting for.

“When I saw her, I thought she had a really hopeful look on her face,” reflects Peterson when describing the scene. “Other students who had received their diplomas were already sitting down, but she was still standing, maybe catching the eye of someone she knew.”

The moment, though brief, meant a grand-prize winning snapshot for Peterson.

A graphic design student at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, Peterson grew up observing his father’s penchant for photography. As a high school student, Peterson was encouraged by his father to take photography classes.

Early on in his community college career, Peterson was in pursuit of a fire technology degree. After a couple of years of studying the subject and serving as a volunteer fire fighter, he realized he needed to focus on something that would hold his interest into the future. And his community college environment helped him realize what subject would most captivate him.

After taking a few graphic design classes, he decided that was the path for him. But Peterson remains passionate about photography, and his eye for design helps him compose every shot.

“I think about the lighting, the mood, the structural elements, and make sure they’re correct. Is there going to be an emotion that someone will have when viewing the image?”

Like so many other community college students, Peterson’s future is bright, and with the Adobe® software package he’ll receive as part of his winnings, he is hopeful that he’ll get even more training to help him pursue his dreams. The combination of Adobe® design and photo tools provided in the software package will be particularly useful for someone like Peterson who has an interest in both areas.

As for his next steps, Peterson says he plans to finish his studies in graphic design and photography at Allan Hancock College, then possibly transfer to a four-year state university to complete his education.