I am now officially a full-time student as I started my year-long photography course in September.
The course has eight modules five of which have a direct relationship with photography: theory, history of, digital photography, Photoshop, and visual culture. The remaining modules are: digital marketing, communications, and work experience.
The class is small, just fourteen of us. On the first day of term we spend the first hour doing a round of introductions. I am approximately 130 years older that most of my fellow students. I don’t own a pair of Doc Martens, I don’t sport a large interesting tatoo, and my hair is not a fetching shade of blue. I wondered would I ever fit in?
Concerns about fitting in flew out the window once the theory classes began. There is a portion of my brain that is hard-wired to believe I will find it difficult beyond belief to grasp the basis of anything technical or scientific. So I was surprised to find that after a few weeks I started to enjoy the theory module. I think that’s because I may finally have moved what I had previously learned about photography out of one of dark cobwebby vestibules of my mind and into a light filled room in long-term memory. And added in a great deal more besides.
You have most likely noticed there has been zero improvement in my photography. This is because everything gets lost in translation when I pick up my camera. I may well have begun to absorb photographic theory at an intellectual level but I struggle to apply it. If I get one thing right, such as the ISO, I usually then discover that another element, such as focus, is off kilter. Still and all, I think it’s progress that I can now look at my images and have a reasonable stab at identifying their faults.
I am enjoying the course and I am much enthused by it. I like my fellow class mates. A lot. They are a kind and inclusive bunch so fitting in hasn’t been a huge problem.
Just Add Attitude 
Sounds a challenge, and one that I think I’d enjoy too. 🙂
It is a challenge but in a good way. I would highly recommend it. 😉
So glad you are enjoying the class and that you have fit in with your classmates, I think once you understand theory the rest will follow. Look forward to more updates.
Thank you so much. And yes I am hopefully that now that I understand some of the theory that practice will help me apply when I take up my camera.
I hope the block party went well. 😉
Oh I think you will fit in with your classmates beautifully! Since they are younger, they will spice your life up with their youth and inventiveness.
It does take time to master a new skill! Practice makes perfect, remember?
You’ll do great, I’m sure, because you have a great eye (which is kind of important for a photographer, don’t you think? 😉 )
Thank you so much Francesca for your words which I find encouraging. I agree that contact with younger people will have a positive impact on my life. I may even learn something about myself as well as photography.
I do think a keen eye is important for a photographer, I have started to look around and instead of taking in the whole picture seek the elements that might make a good image.
I hope that you are now fully recovered from the wedding. 😉
Take care.
Bx
Glad to hear you are having nice time. Looking forward to see the great photos soon.
Thank you so much. 😉
Fantastic that you are enjoying it. We are all looking forward to see parts of your homework! 🙂
Thank you so much. I still don’t see any great improvement in my images. but I will put up some of my ‘homework’. Soon! 😉
Excellent news.
Thank you. 😉
I’m so pleased that you’re enjoying your classes and your classmates. Look forward to seeing some of your homework.
Thank you. It may be a while before there is much improvement in my photos …. 😉
The whole process of learning something challenging is part of what keeps you alive to the world. I think it’s great that you are growing and learning and improving.
Thank you. I have learn a lot so far on my course the trick now it to apply it all each time I take a picture. That’s a work in progress!
I’ve been so excited to hear about your photography class from the first time that you mentioned it! I’m so glad to hear that you are enjoying everything, the theory portion included! I can only imagine that learning and application is a process and I look forward to seeing your pictures evolve on your blog 🙂
Thank you so much Heather. I improving my photography will be a slow process. I hope that by the end of the course I will have absorbed all the theory and putting it into practice when I pick up my camera will be automatic. At the moment I have to run through a check list and I often forget something. 😉