I’ve named my favorite bird “Red.” Very appropriate don’t you think?
I’m struggling with my photography class this week. There was a ton of reading and the professor made a note to be sure to take notes, because the instructions for this week’s assignment would be found throughout the module.
This week’s topic is Shutter Speed. Last week was ISO. I have a prediction that next week’s topic will be aperture.
I have to turn in three photos this week. One is to be panned. I’m supposed to capture something moving by panning at the same speed of the moving object. That object is supposed to be clear while the background will be blurred.
I’ve tried with quails and doves, but they aren’t cooperating. Red is too flighty. I can’t pan fast enough. I’m going to have to rely on my husband walking, riding a bike or driving the car. Not too exciting. And the professor wants us to be creative.
Then the other two photos are to be creative using a fast shutter speed and a slow shutter speed. But I’m finding contrary instructions in different parts of the module.
Here are the photos from my first assignment:
We were told how to set the camera’s ISO and Aperture and to use auto focus. I liked the crocodile because of the shadows from our pergola.
I thought this cactus in our front yard was interesting.
I think this photography class is way more work than what I expected. It continues through May. I have to remind myself not to worry about grades. I’m doing this to gain knowledge. But old habits of worrying about grades are still with me from my school days!
UPDATE ON UPDATE:
I reread the module. Printed it out and highlighted all parts referring to the assignment. I referred back to my camera’s manual. All of a sudden it clicked. I had my husband ride his bike up and down our driveway while I took the “panning” shot. I got the other two shots I liked during the last two days.
My husband wanted to know who the old man was on the bike!
What classes or activities have you taken on to gain knowledge?
Do you worry about how well you’ve done?
Or are you content to learn something new and not worried about the outcome?
Love RED!!! My gosh, that’s a fantastic picture of the cardinal. Funny about your husband!!
Thanks! Yesterday there was a second cardinal who came into the yard and Red chased him away! My husband was a good sport to help me out.
Sounds like the class is challenging but perhaps in a good way EA? I always found that having class modules in my hand and doing exactly what you did really helped to cement concepts in almost every class I ever had. I think that was always why my texts were so marked up and highlighted!! I could never be an ebook student. I’ve taken classes since and had to do the same- print out modules. I wonder if it’s our age and the way we learned when young that has really stuck with us and helps our brains click with new concepts?
Also, Red is astounding. Amazing capture of a very regal and beautiful bird, and I think he knows it 🙂
Thank you! I look forward to glimpses of Red every day. Plus, I have my camera handy.
I’m sure you’re onto something on the way we
learned in school growing up. I have to print out the modules and highlight and make notes. I always made notes while studying from elementary school through college. I’m not an ebook person either. It took me two days and rereading to have the moment where it all made sense this week.
I am at heart still that college kid who wants to get good grades whenever I’m in a formal learning situation like your photography class. When I follow my own curiosity and learn things I’m much easier on myself. I understand your situation. Good luck.
Thanks! Last week I got a 25 out of 30 on a quiz and felt like a failure. I have to constantly remind myself that I want to learn how to use my camera. It’s a simple mission.
Oh I get your dilemma. Your common sense is saying one thing while your ego is saying something else.
I guess that’s it. Ego. I hadn’t thought about it that way, but you’re correct.
I’m fascinated by your assignment. I’ve never thought of panning at the same speed. How interesting.
The class does sound like a lot of work and I can understand your worry about grades. But from your pictures, it looks to me like you are doing great! Red is beautiful!
Thanks for the encouraging words. Yes, the class has lots of reading and learning. I’m not a numbers person so when I get an assignment about F-stops, ISO and shutter speeds that are all numbers, I freeze. I have to reread and take notes. Finally I had an Ah-Ha moment yesterday.
I forgot to mention that to make panning work to blur the background, you have to use a slow shutter speed, 1/30 or slower.
I used to think I wanted to be a professional photographer, until I took a class and realized how technical it can be. Point and shoot for me from then on.
😉
I took photo journalism classes in college as part of my journalism major. I really enjoyed it, especially working in the dark room. I got my camera 10 years ago for Christmas and until this class I was only using Auto. I didn’t remember ANYTHING from college!
Red looks very regal. Such a beautiful bird. Looks like no one is going to mess with her.
Another cardinal came into the yard yesterday and Red went after him. Red’s a he because the females lack the red color. They are kind of dowdy looking in comparison 😂
I’ve taken adult ed classes in Photography and Dancing. I just enjoy the classes and don’t worry about the outcome. I took an adult ed course in Word Processing and wound up teaching the course the following year. Some things, like Photography, just click.
I was overwhelmed with this week’s material on Monday. But by Tuesday after rereading it did click!
I think I may have already told you about my advanced genealogy class online. I did the assignments for the first half because, that allowed me to get the second half of the course. But now I do not care about completing assignments or getting grades air a certificate. On one assignment in Part 1, I had to redo parts of it twice in order to get a grade! Ack. Drove me nuts. Like Deb, I wish the course material was in print. Much of it is, except the modules themselves. But I supposed I could copy and paste it, but would I ever look at it again? There’s a lot of extra reading to do and I have ready access to all that.
I liked learning about panning. I did not know any of that.
What I forgot to say about panning, but told Wynne in the comments, is that you need to set your shutter speed to slow 1/30 or lower. That makes it hard to do in our bright sunlight. Yes, you told me about your genealogy class online. I’m impressed you’re doing the second half of the class for knowledge and not worried about grades. I ran into a snafu today uploading my three photos for this week’s assignment. I may have lost a third of my score. I will keep you in mind and continue gaining skills and knowledge and not worry about grades.
Haha! I like the line about the old man on the bike.
Don’t worry dear friend, you’ve got this.
Thank you! I thought it was a great photo of my husband. He didn’t like it, obviously. Yes, I have to study, read and reread, but I’m learning a lot.
You’re welcome. I think it’s great that you’re learning a new skill. 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼
👍🏼
I’ve taken cooking classes, art classes, film classes and craft classes, as well as writing. I love learning and accept where my talents lie, and where they don’t….but I would take way more classes if I could
I realize that in four weeks of this class, I learned so much. I like the writing class and cooking classes, too.