F/Stop - September, 2006

Today started out bright and early with Wisdom Search at 7:30am. During Wisdom Search, we watched a short video as part of a series on leadership. Then Rowan reviewed what we had just heard. Next was breakfast, and then it was back to the classroom to prepare for our morning photo shoot. We also reviewed the prizewinning photos from the previous days photo shoot at that time. It was fun to see the pictures that the staff had chosen as the "best" in certain categories.

Today's photo shoot was at the Farmer's Market. Our assignments were on the different directions of lighting and black and white photography. I had a lot of fun taking pictures of the different flowers, gourds and statues. The two girls that I was shooting with and I never made it inside the buildings. We didn't mind too much because there were so many interesting things to shoot outside that we didn't have time to move inside. One of my favorite pictures I took this morning was of a yellow and purple pansy with water droplets from the morning watering still visible on the petals.

We were all quite hot and tired when we got back but our day wasn't over yet. Actually, it was just beginning! After lunch we started delving into the world of shutter speed and aperture. It was a long afternoon but things really began to dawn on me and I think I finally understand how to make my pictures look the way I want them to! It's so awesome to understand what makes a great photo and how I can achieve that myself.

That brings me to the next part of our day. After supper we split up into groups of 7-10 people and we have what is called "Review and Critique". This is where one of the instructors goes over our assignment pictures with us, grades them, and tells us how we could have made the picture better. Tonight my group had Rowan as our "Reviewer". He's critical of our pictures yet he is also very willing to help us know what to do next time we're faced with a similar situation. I loved my picture of the pansy but there were things I could have done to make it better. Now I know those things and can implement them in future pictures.

Overall it was a great day! Filled with gorgeous flowers, faster shutter speeds, wider apertures, helpful criticisms and lively discussions. I can't wait until we can get out and practice what we learned today in tomorrow's photo shoot!

—Prizewinning Photography Student Amy Jackman

"If you photograph in color you see the color of people's clothes. But if you photograph in black and white you see the color of the person's soul." This was very well stated by Rowan Gillson in a morning talk about black and white pictures. I found it so true throughout the awesome day God gave us in Dallas.

The week is just beginning for me and I am already excited seeing and learning all the different points of photography. "It's capturing the moment," they say. "It's the angles, focus, lighting, emotion, depth and so many other things that makes the perfect picture." It's trying to make people feel what you felt as you captured the awesomeness of the moment.

Setting out this morning I just wanted to do the best I could. The day started with a devotion and soon after everyone was out on the town trying to capture the picture that was right for them. It was exhilarating! Great people, awesome ideas, instruction, happiness, fun, work and everything else you can imagine.

Focus is a huge thing in photography. But I have realized it is not only the focus of the lens of your camera. It is making sure your focus in life is wide angled and that you are seeing everything God wants to show you. It is so easy to bypass the little things in life when that may be what means the most to God. I can't say that I took a life changing picture with my camera today... I am just beginning. But I can't wait for the things God will show me through this class just if I can remember He is my true light and focus.

—Prizewinning Photography Student Sarah Eddy

We signed in and got our portraits taken for a name tag. Then we had the introduction met all the other team members. Then we watched a video called Moment of Impact about Pulitzer Prize winning photos. We learned how these Pulitzer winners always tried to be in the action for years, trying to always be ready to take a prize winning photo. When an opportunity came, they were ready. None of them had to worry about figuring out where to stand, or what settings to use. During this week, we will learn where to be, what settings to use, and then begin the process of learning to do this easily.

—Prizewinning Photography Student Mark Jordan

Under a light cloud layer, sixteen eager photography students piled out of shuttle vehicles at the Olympia wharfs and turned their attention to instructor Will Thornton. Wooden, worn, and picture of the day; these three were the assigned topics for the dayís competition. Soon the soft lap of the waves on the shore was accompanied by footsteps on the docks and the crisp clicks of sixteen cameras seeking those ìprizewinningî shots. For the next few hours the air was electric. There were only two hours for shooting, only 48 exposures to take, and only three pictures would qualify for the evening prizes. The time flew by.

Soon we were back in class and with fixed attention we listened as Will taught us how to shoot a quality portrait. Next, instructor Mandy taught us about the power of black and white pictures and how to capture an image with contrast and intrigue.

Up to our ears in fresh prints from the day, we carefully analyzed them and received valuable critique from our instructors. And when the day came to an end, we each drifted to our away to our place of nights rest hoping to remember all we had learned and hoping for even better shots in the morning.

—Prizewinning Photography Student Philip Bradrick