Homework 2.1
July 31, 2007 
Today I started my second photography class, Photographing Children in the Real World. It’s a three-week course and appealed to me for obvious reasons. Of course now it means I have twice the photography class homework, at least for the next three weeks. Really, I need to think through my commitments at least once a year.
On Saturday, I had a field trip for my first class. We met at Underground Atlanta to practice shooting in low-light situations and also with our flash. This presented a slight problem for me: I’m claustrophobic. Going into an underground mall with tons of people is really just a wee bit beyond my comfort level. I ended up staying only an hour, and I’d guess about half of that was spent in Underground. That’s OK. I did manage to snap this:
He started playing right before I walked over to the stage. I fired off a few shots from in front of him, then walked along a sidewalk adjacent to the stage to check out this view. I think I like it. It’s definitely more interesting to me than the “sing into the microphone” ones I snapped.
This week, I need to take four images for critique, employing these techniques/challenges:
- Panning
- Zooming
- Low light
- Flash
Low light? Check. Flash and zooming, I’m still working on. Panning? Holy cow, is that a toughie. I’ve probably taken about 100 photos to get this one:
It’s not great, but I think it will do. Not sure I really care about mastering this technique. Still, I guess it’s good to break out of my comfort zone and try something new. Right?
Confessions of a Craft Addict 
Wow – great pics – and after two classes???? Where do I sign up?
Wow, Mary, these are great! I love the panning one, wish I knew how to do it. At least you are learning so useful bits and having a bit of fun 😉
Oh…love the photos! The bike one is amazing…and good for you for facing your underground fears. That is a scary one!
They are both awesome photos. :)))))) Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I love the bicycle picture! Great job!
Ohhhhhhh… I like to bike one! I know nothing about photography, but the way everything is all “swooshed” except the man on the bike is so fascinating! Well done, keep up the great work and do share more!
The bike one is trippy dude! You sure are learning a lot!
yes, getting out of the comfort zone is great. and i use to love panning. most of the football pix i took were panned and they looked awesome.
job well done!
I think that photo of the bicyclist is especially impressive. Very crisp for a moving subject.
I identify with claustrophobic issues. Are you saying there are streets under the streets there? Trippy. I think I would feel trapped. Still, that’s pretty darn cool.
I love the panning picture! I would love to take a photography class. I just recently subscribed to a photography magazine, but I don’t seem to know what they are even talking about half of the time…
Wow those are great pictures!
And I get the whole comfort level thing. I’m not claustrophobic but masses of people is a bit overwhelming for me. I can handle it but it’s just not my ideal situation.