in the lobby/gallery before my first class
my mind is currently a mess of aperture/shutter speed/ambient light/exposure compensation/depth of field/ISO and probably a hundred other terms. it's a little like learning a foreign language. or math. which I am no good at. I have never been good at math. intellectually, it makes sense to me-- reading through the terms and techniques, I nod my head and think yes okay. yes. I get that. but when asked to explain it, or *ahem* put it into practice, I respond the same way I did in 9th grade algebra-- clumsily and without confidence. and about two minutes later than everyone else.
I am taking my first photography class.
as slow as I have been to understand it, I have not been without the occasional epiphany. and really, I'm making it sound worst than it is. truth is, I'm really getting it. slowly, I'm getting it. I set my camera on manual for the first time and shot something I liked. which is huge for me. so yes. that's something. and it's number 13 on the list, so that's something too.
i'm just sitting here grinning like an idiot. i need to do this too. and maybe make a list. you go lady!
ReplyDeletelucky you! that's my big goal when we move back to atlanta later this year - take a photography class. i can't wait!
ReplyDeletei'm no good at math either, but intend to get where i want to be through sheer will.
have fun!
I'm so happy for you!
ReplyDeleteyay! i'm sure you'll love the class. and when you get "it" you'll love it. i need to start a list to cross things off, very satisfying.
ReplyDeleteYou're going to love it. Taking a photo class is one of the best things I've done! Have fun!!
ReplyDeletewow! hurray for photography class!
ReplyDeletei would love to do this, but first need a decent camera.
i love your pre-class photos and i'm excited to see the post-class ones.
Man, I just read a book over and over until something stuck. After this class I think you'll be downright formidable. :)
ReplyDeleteWhere are you taking your class? I'm in Portland and I need to get back in a photography class, it's been so long!
ReplyDeleteGood for you. I think your images are great already, I'm sure you'll soar to the next level with a deeper understanding after your class.
ReplyDeleteWOw! You are already a great photographer and have a unique eye. I can only imagine what you will be like when all of the new technical aspects come into play!
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful. I wish I could take a photography class.
ReplyDeletehurray andrea. i have wanted to do this but keep putting off for the exact same reasons you mention but now you've given me hope. thank you friend. hope you are well. xo
ReplyDeletehooray for you! I'm a bit intimidated by all the jargon and technical stuff myself, but I also know that I won't acheive any more by just pointing and shooting what looks good and dolling it up in photoshop. very inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI'm just about to graduate with a BFA in photography. I'm here to tell you that the techie stuff gets easier with practice and soon enough, you'll be speaking the lingo like all the rest of us nerds. Welcome!
ReplyDeleteI love this photo!
ReplyDeleteAren't you a professional photographer?
ReplyDeleteI really thin you were!
You'll be better than any other starting learner.
GREAT FOR YOU, A! The technical stuff will be so great to have under your belt and it will make you feel more confident in the talent you already have. I'll say that the technical stuff will never be as important as vision and gut-formed instinct - true of all art, no? And you, mama, got those things in spades. Have so much fun!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I first ended up at your blog because of the awesome photos in your 365 project. Shocked I was to find out you felt you needed to take a photog class. You've got a great eye and that can't be taught. I do have a question... do you have an editing program that makes your colors so vivid or is your life just that great?!
ReplyDeleteyou're pretty something :)
ReplyDeleteGo you!
stellar.
ReplyDeleteyou have an eye like no other - this, my dear friend, cannot be learned - just make sure the new technological info removes boundaries instead of create them :)
smooch.
you already rule.
ReplyDeleteyou can only get better....
i wish i could take that class WITH you
What do you mean that's the first photo you have taken on manual? You were already an terrific photographer. Now you will be incredible. Good for you to keep working and growing and learning.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, thanks so much for your link to Unphotographable. I love it so much!
yay you! and of course your photography is already mind-blowingly amazing, so my head will probably explode now.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE the concept of your blog! Great job!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteMy father was a photographer and he was always explaining these things to me. It still never sunk in enough in anyway that I could explain it or put it to repeated use. I wish I had paid more attention.
Can't wait to see the pictures!
yay! photography classes rock! when i took my very first photography class, i didn't even know about the focusing ring on the camera! i think i've come a long way since then...at least i like to think that i have!:) And I had a horrible time at algebra too...summer school was no fun.;(
ReplyDeletecongrats on crossing off a very cool number 13!!
how exciting! i started my first photography class on the 9th also! have fun!
ReplyDeletegood job!!!! since you already have a wonderful artistic eye all this other tech stuff will fall into place, promise. it is a wonderful road so enjoy getting to know your camera inside and out!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I think a class is my only hope to understand the terminology. I feel as though I am reading Greek whenever I try to read a technical manual, although I am not unintelligent.
ReplyDeleteyou list is similar to a list that I make every year on my birthday.
ReplyDeleteSince I am currently 20, I have a list of "20 things I want to do in my 20th year" and on my 21st birthday I will make a new list called "21 things I want to do in my 21st year."
Its such a good feeling to look back and see how much you have accomplished from birthday to birthday.
Your list is inspiring!
hi! i've been an admirer of your photography for some time now. (the color choices in your shots in particular is just amazing.)
ReplyDeletei'm somewhat of a newbie in the photography arena, and i totally relate to that "ok... now i know what everything means, but how do i apply it?" feeling. i don't know if you're interested, but i've been reading a book called "understanding exposure," and i can't tell you how much it's helped. (do i sound like an advertisement or what?!)
good luck with your class! i can't wait to see what you shoot!
hey, thanks everybody! thanks for the encouragement, for the kind words about my photography. you are making my day over and over and over. I mean it.
ReplyDeletelbrooks, the class I took was 'fundamentals of photography' at the newspace center for photography. highly recommend it.
les, I promise not to let the technical aspect get in my way. :)
What a brave thing. I'm taking my first ceramics class this fall and couldn't be more excited.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about my photography. It's there in my head, shiney and clear like a new coin, and then I go to put it into practice and the knowledge is all gunked up like an old penny. So I let the fear of not being able to do it stick around and I never pick up the camera again. I can do this. I am good at this...I'm just afraid of myself.
ReplyDeleteps finding a lot of inspiration in what you're writing. I quoted you from your previous post about knowing that you're on the right path because taking pictures of strangers makes you afraid. I like that your turning an anxious thing into something wonderful and positive. It's something I need to remember.