Tuesday, April 14, 2009

The sun shone brightly on the streets of Dallas as we shouldered or camera gear, grabbed our lunches, and headed out. It was time to take the photography knowledge that we had been learning all morning and put it into practice. This was no normal day of shooting just for fun. We had assignments, things to keep and mind, and a critique session to look forward to at the end of everything. Our assignments were rule of thirds, fill the frame, "Spring," and "red." We were determined, and hoped we were ready.

Such was the scene the first full day of PWP1, Dallas 2009. So far it has been an amazing class, and I have truly enjoyed it. The morning was spent learning from some of the incredible instructors. Will talked about camera basics, Rob enlightened us on how to clean a camera, and Mandy taught two amazing sessions about composition. Seeing as this is my second time to be taking this class, a lot of it was review, but that is the reason I am here. Like we learned in the "Composition" session, repetition is a good thing. In the case of knowledge, I think it helps it really sink into your head and become something you can apply with ease. I also learned several new things, some of which I had been wondering about for quite awhile, so I am thoroughly excited about that as well.

After eating our brown bag lunches, we hit the streets of downtown Dallas for two hours of shooting. It was incredibly enjoyable, and yet also so very hard. We were on the hunt for pictures that filled our assignments, or anything that would make a "perfect picture." I didn't take the best pictures I have ever taken, but I think I did discover something about myself. I found that every time I shot an inanimate object I just wanted to get it over with and move on. However, every time I stopped to shoot a person that looked like they had a fascinating story, I was excited. I wanted to stay there and keep shooting them. So, I think today helped me realize that my photographic inclinations are more toward people than things.

On getting back to the classroom, we heard once again from Mandy and Will. They are both wonderful teachers and should be given a pat on the back and a latte. Mandy finished up the composition sessions, and Will taught, "Intro to Digital Media." Then, after dinner, we were broken up into groups and sent off to meet our sad fates...also know as review and critic time. Haha, actually it is not at all a bad time. I love being able to sit with an instructor and look at my photos through their eyes, so that I know what is wrong with them. I found out many things that I need to change for tomorrow, and also that I was doing some things right. All of the instructors are so encouraging and helpful!

One more really incredible event that happened today, was Katie Miller talking to us about how the rules of composition apply, not just to photography, but to our lives. Just as we strive to create a picture with a clear purpose and no distractions, God created us for a specific purpose as well. It is so easy for us to get caught up with the distractions of all the good things we could be doing, but we should be concentrating on the thing that we were created to do...the thing we must do. Fragmented pictures without clear meaning are something that none of us want to create, but how many of us our living fragmented lives? We need to put everything towards the goal we are heading towards.

This first day of PWP1, Dallas has been a truly incredible and wonderful experience. I am excitedly looking forward to the days of learning and growing in my photographic skills that are to come. This is such a wonderful place to learn the skills needed to capture beautiful pictures that brings honor and glory to our Heavenly Father. I am so overjoyed that He has brought me here for a second week of PWP1, and I hope that I will be able to soak in everything that He has for me to learn; both about photography, and living in Him.

—Prizewinning Photography Student Brigette Knapp