The day started out with wisdom search led by Joy. She shared how the Lord revealed that photography was her "big dream", and that He's given each of us a big dream that only through Him can it be fulfilled throughout the course of our lives. I know photography is not my big dream, but the Lord used this talk to renew my vision of how it fits in with, and supports, the dream and calling He has given me.
We then gathered up our camera equipment, filled our water bottles, and headed for Naperville for our second photo shoot. During the ride I was able to review some of my session notes and ask Peter, who was conveniently sitting on the seat in front of me, question after question about his session on lighting and others that inevitably popped into my head. This was very helpful as it concreted things in my mind and mentally prepared me for the next task at hand.
The photo shoot was the best part of my day! Through Rowan's sessions yesterday on aperture and exposure, I finally understood those things that had confused me for so long... and now I was able to put that understanding into practice! It was exciting to know what to do to get that end result I wanted, and to know, right away, that some photos I started setting up for weren't going to give me the desired effect because of the large amount of available light on this sunny morning. Also having Will's critiques and suggestions from my photo assignments yesterday ringing in my head kept me thinking through things even more and having more of an "I really want this" intensity. Therefore, I took more shots, with various settings, of fewer subjects. I have a long way to go before this process comes naturally but I've experienced a difference already.
Another main area I'd hoped to gain a lot of information in was digital versus film photography and what to look for when purchasing a digital camera. These things were discussed this afternoon by Peter and Joy and even questions I didn't know I had were answered! Mandy's session on flashes was also good and helped me to see many ways that they can be used to achieve different results.
All of the instructors are a gold mine of information with the ability to explain it in understandable, applicable ways! I'm so glad I'm having the opportunity to attend this course! I've learned so much already and look forward to what next week holds!
—Prizewinning Photography Student Michele Garber
