Assignment #1

I started a beginning photography class last week, and my first assignment is complete! The assignment was to make an ordinary object look interesting. Everyone has to shoot at the same focal length (meaning you can't zoom in and out - you have to move your feet if you want to change the distance from the object). And we had to focus the lens manually. The actual photos were taken in auto mode per instructions, but it was interesting to play around with the lens focus. I hadn't really done that before, and I'm glad I had to experiment with it.

Mikey is basically taking this class with me, in that I am going to explain to him everything I learn. He has come to enjoy the photography thing just as much as I do. There wasn't much explaining to do this week though. The instructor didn't really talk about anything substantive. I am hoping that changes going forward. It felt like the first day of elementary school, when it was more about filling out paperwork and "getting to know you" stuff.

To do this assignment, we decided to head downtown. I will admit that I felt a tad uncomfortable with my nice camera slung around my neck, looking like a total tourist in an area teeming with homeless people. I feel bad saying that, but I did feel like a bit of a target. Mikey assured me that they don't care about me, but I was still uneasy for part of the time.

Here's my favorite shot from the day



It was taken on a loading dock across from a really cool art space near downtown. It was the last photo I took, and I think it's a keeper.

A couple of other ones I like




Yeah, so it's not high art, but we had fun!