SIU photojournalism students Dominique Martinez-Powell (left) and Abby Harris (right) and Julia Rendleman, an assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Advertising, show off “Weekend Workshop 2024: Alto Pass and Cobden, Illinois.” (Photo by Russell Bailey)
April 11, 2025
SIU photojournalism students’ talents featured in book highlighting Alto Pass, Cobden
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The work by Southern Illinois University Carbondale photojournalism students who used an April 2024 weekend workshop to chronicle the people and events in Cobden and Alto Pass is now available.
The 86-page soft-cover book “Weekend Workshop 2024: Alto Pass and Cobden, Illinois” is the culmination of a three-day project in April 2024 of eight students in Julia Rendleman’s intermediate photojournalism class and four Eastern Illinois University photojournalism students.
The book features 75 student photographs, including the front and back covers, along with a few behind-the-scenes photos, said Rendleman, an assistant professor in SIU’s School of Journalism and Advertising.
The book costs $20, and proceeds will go to help fund a 2026 weekend workshop, Rendleman said. For more information or to obtain a book, contact Rendleman at julia.rendleman@siu.edu. Cash is preferred, but checks can be made out to the SIU School of Journalism and Advertising.
Workshop reflections
During the 48-hour workshop, students were able to receive immediate feedback from some of the industry’s top photojournalists, including SIU photojournalism alumni, who were there to work with them. The project was part of the Pulitzer Center’s Origin Photojournalism Workshop.
Rendleman said her greatest hope was that students would “grow their photo skills and their ability to find stories and approach people.”
“They all did that and made me very proud,” she said.
At the intermediate level, photojournalism students who have learned basic skills move into storytelling. “It is the best time to get them involved in the workshop,” she said.
“The growth of our students and what they have been able to produce on their own now that they are in advanced classes is amazing,” she said. “Most of the students who participated in the workshop from SIU have secured jobs and internships starting this summer.”
The event was similar to “A Weekend in …” workshops by now-retired SIU Carbondale photojournalism assistant professor Mark Dolan that started in 2009. Communities featured then included Alto Pass and Cobden; Carbondale; Murphysboro; the Tri-C communities of Cambria, Carterville and Crainville; Chester, and Harrisburg.
Rendleman, who is also an award-winning freelance photojournalist, participated in SIU’s first two workshops and was a student fellow at the Pulitzer Center in 2011.