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So I've had two photography classes so far. The first lesson wasn't bad, and it got "interesting" when we got our first assignment, which was to take two rolls of film of the same object. The title of the assignment was "Boredom in Photography", which I very quickly understood.
The second assignment was an in-class assignment. We learned how to print our pictures, and had to pick three of the 72 pictures to print. I only managed to get two printed, and will do the third one next week. I was a bit worried because I'm not as steady with a film camera as with the digital, but my two prints turned out awesome, and the instructor was very complimentary.
In retrospect, this one turned out a bit dark, but I still love it.
ETA - They actually look much darker than they turned out in print, as these are scans of prints. I'll try to photoshop them a bit later.
D'ya know what seriously isn't? Taking the newspaper out of my mailbox, and sending me traipising all across the neighborhood to find a replacement.
So the funniest thing happened today at the neighborhood cafe that I hardly frequent at all *cough*.
As has never happened before, ever, *cough*, I sat down at a table, put down my newspaper on the chair across from me, and started reading the front page. A grandpa-ish man came in and sat down at the table across from me and asked if he could take a look at the sports section. As the sports section is about the only section in the paper that I don't devour from end to end at my very infrequent visits to the cafe *cough. I think I might be coming down with somthing. cough*, I said "sure" and continued reading. Front page done, I put my feet down from the chair and prepare to reach for the other sections, when much to my dismay, my entire paper is gone. I look over, and the guy has my entire newspaper at his table. I rather politely point out that I'd like to continue reading my paper, and the tool says to me: "ok, here's this section, I'm still working on the rest". *snort*. Luckily, the two old ladies sitting at my side did all the tsk-tsking for me, taking very loudly amongst themselves about how rude the man was. The waitress, whom I happen to never leave my paper for every day when I'm done with it *hack* came to my rescue and pointed out that its my private newspaper and not the restaurant's, and brought him over the newspaper that I wouldn't normally get caught dead reading in its place. This did not seem to make any difference to him, and I ended up sitting there waiting for my own bloody newspaper for about 5 minutes. Ass. I do have to admit that it was one of the funnier things that have happened to me at the cafe I hardly ever frequent. Well, there was the case of the attacking gutter, but that's a story for another day...
No, not literally. More like being snowed under. I've been buried up to my eyeballs in translation work for the last month or so. The quantities have been copious, the pay not so much, but that's pretty much the reason for lack of updating. I haven't even had a chance to go anywher to take a few pictures. I hope to change that over the next little while, as I've informed the source of work to lower their expectations somewhat.
Tomorrow I start my photograph course, so I'm going to have to get out there with a camera soon enough.
Meanwhile, I wish everyone a wonderful holiday season!
Here's a question for you to ponder...
When you walk into the neighborhood cafe, and the waitstaff already knows what you'd like to drink, and that you don't want the cookie that comes with it, does that mean you might be spending too much time there? Not that I'd, uh, know anything about that. I'm just working on a theory here :).
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.
Yay! A new challenge is up! Hopefully this time I'll post my pictures before Easter comes around...
Tree / Gift / Family / Thankful / Season / Music / Tradition / Meal / Day / Night / Vacation / Light / Generosity / Always / Spirit / Errand / Arms / Stranger / Welcome / Reach / Bad For You / Heap / Protection / Fluffy / Heat / Picture Perfect
Of course, this one might be a bit difficult, what with being Jewish and living in a country where Christmas isn't commonly celebrated.
