Thomas Roma, photography professor at Columbia University, will present a lecture and slide show Friday evening and a workshop the following morning in partnership with The U of M Photographic Society.
"I've been invited to The University of Memphis to lecture students and share my work," Roma said. "I'll show slides and bits and pieces of everything I've worked on. I'll be available all day Friday and Saturday and will be leaving Sunday."
Roma began photographing in Dec. of 1969 after being involved in a serious car accident. Following the accident, Roma was confined to a wheelchair and became interested in photography after his brother gave him a camera.
He said he took his first picture out of his window and quickly it became a hobby. Soon after, he began reading books on photography and fell in love with it.
Roma said photography was not his first love.
"I love teaching more than photography," Roma said. "I can actually say I look forward to going to work each day and teaching."
When asked which profession is more difficult, Roma said photography is the harder -- almost impossible to master.
"If I had to choose, I would say photography is much more challenging," Roma said. "Photography is impossible to do. Teaching is not. I think it is harder to make a piece of work that means something to people. Photography is a daunting task; teaching is not."
Along with the slides Roma will be showing, some of his other works can be seen in books such as Come Sunday, Found In Brooklyn, On Their Own and Sunset Park. Also, Roma's work is frequently displayed in Doubletake magazine. Roma said his works in the book Come Sunday are those he is proudest of.
Friday night's lecture will be held in the Psychology Auditorium and Saturday's event will in the Meeman Journalism Building, Room 120.
Professor Roma's workshop and lecture will be free and open to all. For more information, call 678-2925.
