What I've Learned So Far...

I found my love for photography in a different medium- film. I loved the process of taking a photo, developing the film, and then going into the darkroom to make prints. I love the look of a black and white film print; the photo comes out so rich and there is a different feel to the image. I took to film photography fast, and it gave me happiness to make art in this way. I mistakingly thought that going into the Digital Photography program would be a simple switch. I assumed I would enjoy it just as much as I had enjoyed film, however I didn't have the knack for digital as I had for film. I was very frustrated in the first few weeks of the program because I missed the darkroom and I felt like I was't doing that well or that I even belonged in the program with all of the kids who are so good at digital photography. Over the last two weeks, I've began to be less hard on myself and to give myself more time to improve. While doing the in class critiques of our photos, I noticed that I had been getting positive feedback which helped boost my confidence. It has been hard to make the switch to digital, but as I continue on in the program I'm sure I'll continue to grow as a photographer and like the images I create more and more.

Portraits

The first assignment for Photography 1 didn't have many requirements other than that we had to use extremes of the camera functions for shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. I had decided that I have missed shooting portraits. I searched for a friend who could give me two hours of their time so that I could finally shoot this assignment. I went to the woods near my house with my friend and (with a slow and bumpy start) began shooting some of the categories. I love portraits because they capture emotions. When I hold a camera up to the average person, they get nervous and don't know what to do. I like the shyness people get in front of the lens. A photo where a person looks vulnerable and nervous isn't always a bad thing in my opinion. I liked the top photo in particular because my friend looks happy as well as shy, which you can see in the lack of eye contact she makes with my camera.