Reviewing two classes: FAS 226 Digital Photography and FAS 255 Lighting for Photography.
Both classes ran July – August. August was spend exploring more lighting concepts, including using my strobe setup outside the studio, which opens an entirely new can of worms. Is it windy? How heavy is everything? How fast can I set up and take down my equipment? How do I actually want to set up my equipment?
I was starting to realize why weddings cost so much money…
On one hand, it was hard to stay creative and produce new shots. On the other hand, it was so helpful to see my classmates work, and get their input on how to change mine. I think there is a lot of pressure for validation and to ‘be the best’, but in a great class this goes away and you’re allowed to be vulnerable. If you’re trying to grow and trying something new, you accept imperfection and realize perfection isn’t the end goal.
There is no prize to perfection… only an end to pursuit.
One of my favorite assignments was for my lighting class on location, shooting with dim natural light. I invited my friend to be my subject on his mountain bike, and picked a location at sunset. Right away, the clock was ticking, and I had to pick an exact spot to shoot, visualize my shots, set up my equipment, make sure it was all working together, and start posing my subject to get the shots I wanted.
I was again starting to realize why weddings are so expensive…
I was extremely happy with how the first few shots were turning out. These were straight out of the camera. Holy cow it’s like I was actually learning something in my class!
My final assignment for my FAS226 course was a photo essay, and being that this is a motorcycle and photography blog, I decided to summarize what a motorcycle tour or extended day trip feels like. We had to use different shot styles, tell a story, convey a feeling or emotion, and pair this project down to no more than six or seven photos. That’s it! No more! This was the hardest part, but when I would sit down and brain storm, it started to come together. We also were not allowed to include any words or descriptions, so I’m going to do the same here and just leave you with some images that I hope convey how I feel when I ride.
Overall I was very satisfied with my experience taking these classes at SNHU. I think I did more shooting in two months than I did the entire year, and this also explains why this blog was quiet for so many months. I was busy shooting and doing homework! However I am very excited to use what I learned in these courses in the next year and onwards. I had never done studio or portrait work, and always considered myself a outdoor / natural light photographer. Hogwash! Studios and strobes let you control the light and set up exactly the shot you want, without time or natural constraints. I’m still learned to embrace that maxim, but it has opened an entirely new area of my imagination that needs exercising.
Questions about this class? Interest in motorcycles? Looking for a new recipe for your instant pot? I can help with the first two and guess at the third if you leave me a comment below. Thanks for reading.