Thursday, December 1, 2005

IPSÖthe coolest photography course down here in the Southern Hemisphere!! Today we began by having an early breakfast—which for most people consisted of strong coffee to help us out as we prepared to hit the VIC markets to apply all that weíd been learning. With a brain which had turned to the equivalent of mushed oatmeal, I tried to figure out just how to do the cool blurred motion, stopped motion, large and small depth of field, repetition, and rim lighting in the best way I could so that Iíd have some sweet pics! My group buddy, Mr. B., and I hit the streets as soon as we reached the VIC markets, and since we both love motorbikes, we decided to go to a bike shop downtown and get some blurred and stopped motion pics of all the Harleys and Triumphs. When we got there I went and started chatting away to the owner, who was looking suspiciously at my camera and tripod, and I explained to him that I was from ìInstitute in Photographic STUDIOS,î not even knowing the name of the course I was doing! He was happy, and even obliged by jumping on a bike and going around the block for us!!

I found today the hardest day so far, because I didnít have that extra five minutes to sit there and figure out my aperture, shutter speed, and ISO because everything was bustling and moving and so there was more pressureÖ more sense of urgency. That was neat. It was also neat to see all the opportunities to witness that came from just walking around holding a camera! Itís a real good idea to carry tracts around and remember throughout it all that our ultimate goal isnít taking wicked sweet pics, but proclaiming Christ and reaching out to those around us, in love. Looking back, I can see how much we learned thus far, and Iím EXTREMELY grateful to Rowan, Will, and Micale for coming out to teach me! (And Daz!) God Bless!!

ìGod doesnít call the equipped, He equips the called.î

—Prizewinning Photography Student RenÈe Blackburne