Here goes nothing

I signed up for a photography class yesterday. I had been waiting and waiting to join a class, I'm not sure why. I finally joined on the day the class started. I would love it if anyone is interested, that you join with me!! There are still 11 days to complete the first assignment, just four pictures!

I have been thinking about since we bought a Canon SLR at the end of last year. I suppose I waited because I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend the money. Especially until I knew I was ready to commit to following through with homework assignments again. (I just finished school in December for Accounting, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to be held accountable for homework.)

But learning on my own hasn't been going so well lately. I have been starting to feel overwhelmed with all of the aspects involved in taking great photos. I've been thinking lately,"Why are my pictures coming out blurry?" and "Why are hers so much better than mine?" "I'm dying to know what she knows." Photography can be so hard and so frustrating.

After reviewing different class options, I decided to sign up for Better Photo's online "Fundamentals of Photography" class. I heard from two different people to try the Showcase School of Photography off Cheshire Bridge in Atlanta. But trucking 45 minutes into town in no traffic was a little too much driving for me. I don't do well in traffic at all. I also heard from a professional photographer that Better Photo has a good name in the industry...just her opinion. So off to Better Photo I went.

I feel like I should say that I have no desire to make money off photography. I think that would put undue pressure on the whole process and stunt creativity. I only want to learn to take better photos to document our life and update our little blog.

I started the online class yesterday. The class starts with assignment #1, and by uploading our portfolios by this Sunday.

• Problem #1. I don't have a portfolio. It think it's supposed to be an easy, "What level are you at?" experiment for the instructor. Seriously, it's only like 5 or 6 photos. But still, portfolio sounds intimidating. I spent some time yesterday throwing together some recent photos in Smugmug. Then I had Jay glance through them to tell me which few he liked as a second opinion.

• Problem #2. The first, and currently only person to upload photos has a professional camera. (We are to note the camera, lens and specifics about the shot underneath each photo). I'm talking the $5,000 professional Canon. And her photos are copy-righted already.

Huh? I thought I signed up for a beginning photography class. I literally started clicking through the student "rooms" to ensure that signed up for the right class. I finally confirmed that "Yes indeed, I'm in the right place."

Maybe the other beginners in the class are thinking what I'm thinking. So march on, I must.

Here goes nothing. I'll let you know how it goes. Please join me if you can.


Sunset in Cabo, Mexico.
Taken with a Canon xsi, tamron 17-50 aspherical lens.
f/6.3, Exposure time-1/160 sec., ISO-100, Focal length-17mm, no flash
;)

*to get your photo info, simply right click on your picture icon and look at properties*