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Snapshots of steel
Photo
Perc Kelty, retired chief photographer for Youngstown Sheet and Tube, displayed his photographs and told stories and during the Canfield Historical Society’s “Photo History of Sheet and Tube” lecture Sept. 9.
By ABBY SLANKER
Perc Kelty, retired chief photographer for Youngstown Sheet and Tube, shared his photographs and stories during “Photo History of Sheet and Tube,” at the Canfield Historical Society Sept. 9.
The event, which was in front of members, guests and former steel workers, was the first lecture of the society’s Fall Lecture Series.
Kelty’s career in photography began during World War II when he served as a Photo Intelligence Officer with the U.S. Air Force 419 Bombardment Group. He spent 1942-45 in the European theatre and was awarded the Bronze Star and Presidential Unit citations.
Following his wartime service, Kelty attended and graduated from both Winona School of Photography and the Cleveland Institute of Art. He holds a Master of Photography degree. Kelty, a native of Ellwood City, Pa., and a long-time resident of Boardman, also attended Youngstown State University and North Carolina State.
Kelty was employed by Youngstown Sheet and Tube from 1946 to 1979, first as a staff photographer and then chief photographer.
Kelty turned the amber glow of molten steel, dust and weary faces into art that earned him distinguished honors and awards in the photographic field, including the Cleveland Photographic Society Award, Eastman Kodak Special Award, American Iron and Steel Institute Best of Show Award and the Charles Abel Memorial Photographic Special Award.
Kelty displayed many of his favorite works during his lecture and explained the background information on each one. He mentioned it was a lot of work to get the right shot.
“You can’t use a point and shoot in the steel mills. We had to set up lights and time it just right. A digital camera won’t work to create such a photo. We had to really work to capture the light,” Kelty said.
Kelty said he has traveled the world taking photographs, from Chicago and New York to Sydney, Australia, some of which he showed at his lecture.
When Kelty was finished with his presentation, he asked if audience members had any memories or stories to share about working in the steel mills or coke plants or any thoughts on Youngstown Sheet and Tube. Many audience members took him up on his request and shared stories of the past.
Remaining lectures in the Canfield Historical Society’s Fall Lecture Series are “WYSU 88.5 FM Radio” with Melinda Bower-Houck Oct. 14, and “China: A World View” with Dr. George McCloud Nov. 11.
For more information on the lectures or the Canfield Historical Society, call 330-533-3458.