Photography Class - redux

Ok I'm sorely delinquent on blog posting, I blame the weather.... Or perhaps end of the school year CRAZY!?!  We are in full swing with soccer/dance/final band performances...  I'm just waiting for June to get here so I can catch my breath!!!

I'm nearing the end of my Kirkwood Photography class, so I felt it was time for an update.  Its been an enjoyable and enlightening experience for sure.  First off - a shout out to my girl Flecia, for attending the class with me.  I had a blast doing this class with you and look forward to us finding a good "intermediate" course!

This blog post will be more about what I've learned while in the class, totally cliffs-notes style.  If you are interested in a Kirkwood class review, feel free to contact me.

Key take aways:

1. Get off your AUTO!  The camera is just a machine, don't let it do the thinking for you as it will often do it poorly.  Automatic modes limit the artistry and the magic behind picture taking.
2. Even Ansel Adams didn't become great without years of practice.  You only get better by taking pictures, LOTS of them.  Good thing is with a digital camera, the expense is all front-loaded.  Taking the pictures is "free", so take advantage of that and take LOTS of them!
3. A good picture evokes a story for the viewer.  Some effective methods of evoking a story can be created by usage of the rule of thirds, using and odd number of subjects, giving your subject space to "move" on the picture for the viewers eye to travel, and using lines for visual interest.
4. Its all about the light.  There's no right or wrong answer for light, it all depends on the story you are trying to tell.  
• "Embrace light. Admire it. Love it. But above all, know light.  Know it for all you are worth, and you will know the key to photography." - George Eastman
5. ISO, Aperture and shutter speed (the exposure triangle) - these are the weapons of your photography arsenal.
• ISO measures the sensitivity of the digital sensor to light
• low numbers (100/200) = low sensitivity for a sunny day
• high numbers (1600/3200) - high sensitivity for a candle lit birthday party
• Aperture is the size of the opening in the lens
• Larger opening = more light = small depth of field = low f-stop number
• Smaller opening = less light = large depth of field = high f-stop number
• Shutter speed controls how long the sensor is exposed to light from the film
• Fast shutter speeds (1/2000, 1/1000 sec) freezes action in the photo
• Slow shutter speeds (1 sec, 1/2 sec..) blurs motion in the photo

Here's some additional websites I recommend you check out if you are interested in photography:

Camera Simulator - a great tool for helping you play around with the exposure triangle to get a feel for how they play together.
The Photographer's Ephemeris - has a sun/moon calculator, showing sunrise and sunset as well as the blue hour!
Kirkwood Continuing Education Schedule - never stop learning!
Ashley Ann Online Photography Course for Beginners - a great starting point on really understanding photo composition, lots of practical tips on how to document those precious moments with your family and lots of example photos!