F/Stop - April, 2004

Today I learned what may be one of the most important lessons of my life. It started at devotion time as one of our instructors, Will Thornton, shared about how we often overlook or don't even notice the wonders of God in and around our lives.

As a photographer, we have to see the world from a different perspective-with a photographer's eye. Things that we think are "normal" in our everyday lives lose their value. With a photographer's eye, everything is new, wonderful, and grandiose. It's as if you were a newborn child who is going out to explore the world!

As we see the world from this perspective, we have been taught to capture it through the help of the camera and our newest tool, Photoshop! After many hours of learning and practicing, we have been able to enhance, manipulate, and re-touch images so as to illustrate this new wonder at the work of God with the greatest possible impact.

I am grateful to God for this course and for teaching me to view the world from a different perspective, a photographer's eye.

–Pixel This Student Bryan LaFaurie

It is a challenge to try to consolidate what we learned today and report on just the highlights. I began Pixel This with a list of 22 questions about capturing and correcting digital images. After just the first day, I've learned the answers to 9 of them!

We toggled between sessions taught by Rowan Gillson and Peter Pallock, ranging from the fact that computers are made up of zeros and ones to the realization that a 3 megapixel camera uses 12 million microlenses. (That's a lot of microlenses…)

Many other topics were explored including:

• Factors to consider in selecting a digital camera.
• Differences between vector and raster images.
• Preserving image quality during resizing.
• Tools necessary for effective digital editing.
• Similarities and distinctions between film and digital photography.
• Review of the basic principles of photography: composition, exposure, lighting, etc.
• What you can and cannot fix in Photoshop.
• Color correction techniques.
• File management recommendations.

My favorite quote of the day came from Rowan, "LAB is perfect; it is like heaven for digital pictures." (LAB is a constant to which input and output devices (e.g., printers, monitors, and scanners) are compared in order to maintain consistent color.)

I came to Pixel This to learn skills that would make me a better servant of the Lord as I take photographs and edit images for use in Christian ministry. What I learned today definitely helps me in that endeavor. I really am delighted to be here and can't wait to find out what we are going to learn tomorrow!

A word to the wise, don't let Peter catch you using the brightness/contrast tool in Photoshop. I'm not exactly sure what would happen if you did, but I have a feeling it is not a pretty picture!

–Pixel This Student Mary Kay Del Mul

Wisdom search this morning emphasized again that in all of our work and activity, our identity, our fulfillment, and our vision must be of God–in Him and for Him. All of life–even photography and how we use it–is for God alone. With this thought in mind, we grabbed our gear and headed out to the Dallas Arboretum; a land of flowers, green grass, and sunshine.

Three workshops awaited us there. Children's photography showed us ways to capture the innocence of the young. (And also how much fun it can be to chase around little ones as they scamper happily among the flower beds.)

Bridal photography gave us pointers for helping make someone's special day immortal. We watched as our instructor worked with the model to achieve that perfect elegant beauty so befitting a bride. (A fellow student rather humorously remarked, that he didn't think he could do wedding pictures, because "Girls are too picky; it would drive me crazy.")

The third workshop was one on photographing couples. We followed our instructor around as he shot some engagement pictures for a happy pair. We learned practical lessons in posing, using reflectors, and even human psychology. (Didn't know this was covered at IPS, did you?)

With these lessons under our belts (or should I say camera straps?), we were free to roam the gardens, armed with both color and black and white. The day was overcast, with occasional bursts of bright sunlight, which either made you frantically run to set up a picture before those cool dark shadows went away, or wrinkle your nose in frustration because those same dark shadows were ruining your portrait.

The evening was spent practicing with studio lights and gaining some final pro-tips from our instructors.

This day has been so incredibly full. As we all retire to dream in high-key vivid colors, I am reminded again that God is good-and we must remain focused on Him.

–Prizewinning Photography Student Shiopei Cheng

Film loaded, batteries charged and cameras ready… We headed off to the land of fruit and flowers… The infamous Farmers Market. With even more information to remember and challenging assignments, we split into groups and headed off to face the adventures of the day.

Green houses filled with some of the most incredible flowers, barns filled with crafts, furniture, and other miscellaneous objects, rows upon rows of brightly colored fruits and vegetables were just waiting to be photographed. Just about everywhere you looked you would find a fellow photographer working hard to find the best angle to create the perfect image. From lying flat on the ground, standing on tables, crunched in a corner, peeking under cars, leaning forward, tilting sideways… the list goes on. I have learned to never underestimate what the photographer may have gone through in order to get that "favorite photo."

Our contest images of the day were to photograph an adult, avocado, and amusement. It did not take me long to realize that this group of 30 or so photographers were probably providing the most amusement that Farmers Market has seen in a while.

With our two rolls of completed film, one of color and one of black and white, we headed back to the Training center for more instruction and to await in anticipation or for some dread the return of our developed photos.

As the sun was just finishing setting for the night we all trooped out to the parking lot to test our skills at taking "night shots" of the Dallas skyline.

In it all I am reminded of our awesome Creator who made things so beautiful that and so detailed that it often takes more than the human eye to see its rich beauty.

—Prizewinning Photography Student Michelle Neu