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Earlier today I attended a truly magnificent photo exhibit. As I was walking through, rather slowly, I really felt that I was in a realm that I belonged to.
A couple of years ago I took a photography course at George Brown College, in Toronto. Those who've heard me speak about it, know that I held a very low opinion of the course, but having thought about it lately, that course was not the total waste I thought it was. The course consisted of 10 sessions, and my main problem with it, was the instructor, who seemed to repeat the same lecture every single week, down to the same tired jokes. In retrospect, I think my disappointment with the course was that I didn't really feel that I mastered any of the technical aspects of photography. I couldn't explain aperture or exposure to you on pain of death. The lack of weekly assignments and critique was also problematic, since I'm a person who needs feedback.
What I did learn, without even realizing, was to study the composition of pictures, and accordingly, to compose them pretty well myself. As I was walking through the exhibit this evening, I was quite amazed that while looking at the pictures, I could point out all sorts of interesting compositional aspects.
For example, in this photo, I noticed that the arc of the arm is continued by the arc of the water, but that it cuts off very abruptly, at the spot where the arm is amputated. I think that prior to taking the course, I would have walked by the picture and just said: "Hmm. Nice colours.", or something equally benign.
Later this month, I'm starting another photography course. Hopefully I'll enjoy it a bit more while taking it, rather than realizing in two years that I might have learned something. Hopefully I'll be able to translate the course into something professional, because I'd love to be able to make a living of sorts doing something I truly enjoy.
Posted by raptorgirl at December 6, 2004 04:04 PM