Mainecoonmaniac
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- Dec 10, 2009
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If so, what's your approach. I feel personal growth doesn't happen if you don't challenge yourself.
To all those that responded to this post that have done photography for decades, is keeping "A beginner's mind" difficult? As for me, it's hard. But once in a while, I see images in Flicker by beginning photographers that blow my mind. There's a danger of being too experienced and claiming that one is "An expert" in photography. I heard this phrase a few months back. It goes "A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothings grows there."
Good point and I must add that for me, I am my severest critic. After 70 years in "serious photography", I still don't believe I have made a really good picture. One that completely satisfies ME. Maybe if I am able to drag myself out to the darkroom, one more time, I'll change that. Maybe!......Regards!Never had an issue with personal growth or confidence. If I want to try something and it works, I am a hero; if it does not work, I am a fink.
It is the challenge that rates high in my book. In photography, as in most activities, there are always folks who do it better than you and folk who are not as good as you. Neither has any influence on my decision to try.
I have been re-inventing a photo course I have taught for 10 semesters in College and High School. The two venues present different demands and opportunities; that synergy has created a new view of flow and understanding.
Mostly I am re-organizing the timing of certain concepts, concepts overlapping into consecutive sessions, new content between reviews of the last session and previews of things to come in the next step, relying on hands-on before in-depth lecture and text, investing in small but numerous repetitions of concepts, and brain-storm responses in analysis of advanced images. In the 3rd week of day and night sessions it is starting to get clear.
That said, I was supporting a combined Intro and Intermediate Pro class last week, far too large for the studio. 1900 sq ft and 32-50 warm bodies. We had 6 sets, models, make-up, Photojournalism shooters for the occaision. I was in charge of administration, management and PR. In the flurry one of my old students had a new camera and let me shoot it with him on set. I checked a thing or two and went to work. I work easily with subjects on set and just moved along. I had what I needed in a half-dozen shot on a camera I had never used.
The two experiences, I believe, are connected at a very deep level. Through my teaching process I re-understand what I know and it becomes stronger.
Me, I just hope that I never let the technical side of this, might I say, obsession to blind me to the elements that make up a good, interesting, picture/photograph that I would like and others might like also. I do miss discussions about pictures/photographs that we once had in a really good camera club that had both professional and advanced amateurs in its membership. Many times discussions would start at the meetings and continue over coffee after the meetings were over. I fear those clubs are gone. Question: do digital clubs discuss these things or are they only interested in equipment?.......Regards!Thank you for your thoughts. Today one of my colleagues, who also teaches this class, said something similar. Between the requirements of the course, the variety of skills within the curriculum and its delivery, and the constant evaluation of the effectiveness of the method I'm pressed. I cannot rest on a pre-established path.
It is fatiguing; just as challenging assumptions.
There really isn't any change.I do miss discussions about pictures/photographs that we once had in a really good camera club that had both professional and advanced amateurs in its membership. Many times discussions would start at the meetings and continue over coffee after the meetings were over. I fear those clubs are gone. Question: do digital clubs discuss these things or are they only interested in equipment?.......Regards!
Question: do digital clubs discuss these things or are they only interested in equipment?.......Regards!
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