Loving Learning

Homework: Week 1 Assignment: Preparation

I learned so many things from this week's assignment!  Lesson #1 - Have a willing model

Do you know any 17 year old boys? You know, the ones who are somewhere between boyhood and manhood and are absorbed in their own lives. This is a normal state for many teenagers, I know.  (Love this boy - my oldest grandson - he and his 15 year old brother live with us) But he DID reluctantly agree to be my model...and I reminded him that we really need to get those senior photos done...so I made a written plan, chose a great location, got some props and changes of clothing ready and we took off.  He was distracted; he was embarrassed when he saw that some people we didn't know were at the place we went for the shoot; he thought we were taking too long; he thought some of my ideas were "lame"; I got flustered; he got frustrated. We used only a few ideas from my shot list. We went home.  I downloaded the pictures. It was not the great experience I had anticipated.

 THE PLAN

Lesson #2 - Spend some time learning how to use editing software

I think it was Brooke who told me that all the shots we see from pros are edited. I just got Photoshop Elements 9 but haven't learned how to use it yet so am editing in iPhoto only.  Shots SOOC can be good but mine are usually not the beautiful and compelling photos I envision in my head.  From this shoot: I am embarrassed to admit that because I got flustered,  I THOUGHT I had changed the ISO setting but hadn't completed the action...some editing could help these shots I'm sure but next time I'll make sure the ISO is set where I intend it to be!

I like the sunburst, but the picture is way too grainy.

This is the oh-so-typical shot...lol

• Just to be fair I have to say that he has agreed to another shoot for his senior pictures. Yay!

Lesson #3 - "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."

I decided to try a different approach at the Campbell's annual Easter Egg Hunt. The shoot would be planned, but not rigid; it would be casual, catching real-life moments; it would be focused on the youngest children.  I wanted to capture some cute little faces and some family interactions.

Love these big, blue eyes.

This Dad absolutely adores his two little girls.

Brooke, I think these shots are ok, what can I do to make them awesome?

Lesson #4 - Fear vs. Faith

When I look at the absolutely stunning photos on some people's blogs I tend to get paralyzed with fear that I'll never, ever be that good. It's like a wave that crashes over me shattering my confidence to near nothingness.  It's then that I have to pull back, take a breath, and realize that I must have faith in myself; I must have patience in the learning process and I have to put in the work to practice, practice, practice.  Sometimes I get inspiration through music. During a fearful moment this week a Rogers and Hammerstein song from The Sound of Music began running through my head.

"I've always longed for adventure
To do the things I've never dared
Now here I'm facing adventure
Then why am I so scared?...

I must stop all these doubts
All these worries
If I don't I just know I'll turn back
I must dream of the things I am seeking
I am seeking the courage I lack...

With each step I am more certain
Everything will turn out fine
I have confidence the world can all be mine
They'll have to agree I have confidence in me...

All I trust I give my heart to
All I trust becomes my own
I have confidence in confidence alone
Besides which you see I have confidence
In me!!

Lesson # 5 - Enjoy the Journey

Even though I am so far behind so many other people in my photographic understanding and skills, I am ahead of many other people and I am excited to encourage them to start their own journey. My time line is my own and I am learning here a little and there a little. With each new discovery or insight I gain more skill and understanding. It's an exciting adventure!