TEACHING
I had an amazing time last night teaching the fourth and last photography class in this workshop at Hip Hope Academy in the Bronx. This class really was a culmination of the first three classes. We started with Vision, then went in to understanding the complexities of the Camera, and then we broke down Composition.
I could have taught Composition first which is what most people want to learn but the way I organized was much more fruitful. By the end of the class I saw eyes light up and brains thinking about images and how to photograph them. Their vision has been shifted. Their understanding of the camera has been enhanced. Now they can execute composition in a whole new way.
Where to from here? Perhaps I may teach this workshop in the spring at another location. One student already asked if I would teach an Intermediate class. I am still in awe I had the opportunity to teach an Introductory class. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined conducting a workshop on Photography. We shall see. This photographic journey has had so many enjoyable adventures so far. I am sure more are on the way.
Still I am amazed I taught a photography workshop
Showing posts with label hip hope academy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hip hope academy. Show all posts
Friday, December 10, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Photography Class #3 of 4 - The Camera (Revisited)
TEACHING
In Class #3 we revisited what took place two weeks ago in Class #2.
At the beginning I shared some portraits I had shot over the weekend. One of my students informed me it helped when I shared some of my work and explained why I did what I did to acquire the shot. Critical analysis will help develop their vision.
Afterward we walked through ISO, Shutter Speed, and Exposure. It was great to hear some of the stories of students experimenting over the Thanksgiving break. What was even cooler is that we did some experimenting of our own in class with the Shutter Speed. We dragged the shutter (making it slower) and played with the blurring of light in a cool way.
I also brought my cameras to class so the students took photos with some more advanced (and heavier) equipment. This sea of experimentation helped them actualize physically what they have been learning intellectually.
The photos which were taken with my cameras were so cool I decided to start off today's class (our last one in the four part workshop) with their photos. Let's see how they respond.
In Class #3 we revisited what took place two weeks ago in Class #2.
At the beginning I shared some portraits I had shot over the weekend. One of my students informed me it helped when I shared some of my work and explained why I did what I did to acquire the shot. Critical analysis will help develop their vision.
Afterward we walked through ISO, Shutter Speed, and Exposure. It was great to hear some of the stories of students experimenting over the Thanksgiving break. What was even cooler is that we did some experimenting of our own in class with the Shutter Speed. We dragged the shutter (making it slower) and played with the blurring of light in a cool way.
I also brought my cameras to class so the students took photos with some more advanced (and heavier) equipment. This sea of experimentation helped them actualize physically what they have been learning intellectually.
The photos which were taken with my cameras were so cool I decided to start off today's class (our last one in the four part workshop) with their photos. Let's see how they respond.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Photography Class #2 of 4 - The Camera
TEACHING
So Class #2 was chock full of information. I could not help but have to make this mostly a lecture class.
Fortunately I started the class off with a sneak peek into a photo shoot I had done over the weekend with the female group Poetik Soul. I went through each of the proofs I selected and explained what was going on during the shoot and conceptually why I took the shots I did. The students seemed to really enjoy the behind the scenes action.
Then we got into information overload time. Half of my class use a Point and Shoot camera and the other half use a DSLR (interchangeable lenses) so this made it interesting. The topics of White Balance and Histograms had some people pulling out their manuals (which is a great thing to read). That's when I knew the class would take some time...lol.
We also went over ISO, Shutter Speed and Aperture. Needless to say class was extended by about forty minutes. I OD'd by putting too much information in one class. Next time I will save the Shutter Speed and Aperture for a subsequent class.
With the Thanksgiving break landing on a Thursday I knew my students would have two weeks to practice the new things they had learned so I tried to stuff them like a turkey. Next week at the beginning of Class #3 we will do a little review and some in class exercises. It should be a fun one.
I do love teaching. It is truly a great feeling to help people in their learning curve.
Two classes completed. Two more to go.
So Class #2 was chock full of information. I could not help but have to make this mostly a lecture class.
Fortunately I started the class off with a sneak peek into a photo shoot I had done over the weekend with the female group Poetik Soul. I went through each of the proofs I selected and explained what was going on during the shoot and conceptually why I took the shots I did. The students seemed to really enjoy the behind the scenes action.
Then we got into information overload time. Half of my class use a Point and Shoot camera and the other half use a DSLR (interchangeable lenses) so this made it interesting. The topics of White Balance and Histograms had some people pulling out their manuals (which is a great thing to read). That's when I knew the class would take some time...lol.
We also went over ISO, Shutter Speed and Aperture. Needless to say class was extended by about forty minutes. I OD'd by putting too much information in one class. Next time I will save the Shutter Speed and Aperture for a subsequent class.
With the Thanksgiving break landing on a Thursday I knew my students would have two weeks to practice the new things they had learned so I tried to stuff them like a turkey. Next week at the beginning of Class #3 we will do a little review and some in class exercises. It should be a fun one.
I do love teaching. It is truly a great feeling to help people in their learning curve.
Two classes completed. Two more to go.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Photography Class #1 of 4 - The Vision
TEACHING
So last week was my first time teaching a photography class. This was done in conjunction with Hip Hope Academy and Elements Church in Bronx, NY. We had 10 students which made for a very intimate setting.
Philisophically I believe the most important thing in photography is the person taking the photo, not the camera. To me the camera is merely an extension of the eye and vision of the person. With this premise I set out my first class to explore the heart and mind of my students.
I did not want the first class to be a lecture so I included exercises to force the students to learn about themselves. It proved to be very fruitful as many were uncomfortable with the exercises. Just like lifting weights, there is no growth unless there is tension. So I added some tension for reflection, vision stretching, and personal assessments.
I was excited to share with them what I had learned over the past two and a half years of doing photography. Over and over I encouraged them with the reality of how doable photography really is. My testimony is a good example of that.
The task before me is how much of those two and a half years of learning I can squeeze in a six hour introductory workshop (four classes of ninety minutes). This should be very interesting.
In Class #2 tonight we will be going into the Camera.
So last week was my first time teaching a photography class. This was done in conjunction with Hip Hope Academy and Elements Church in Bronx, NY. We had 10 students which made for a very intimate setting.
Philisophically I believe the most important thing in photography is the person taking the photo, not the camera. To me the camera is merely an extension of the eye and vision of the person. With this premise I set out my first class to explore the heart and mind of my students.
I did not want the first class to be a lecture so I included exercises to force the students to learn about themselves. It proved to be very fruitful as many were uncomfortable with the exercises. Just like lifting weights, there is no growth unless there is tension. So I added some tension for reflection, vision stretching, and personal assessments.
I was excited to share with them what I had learned over the past two and a half years of doing photography. Over and over I encouraged them with the reality of how doable photography really is. My testimony is a good example of that.
The task before me is how much of those two and a half years of learning I can squeeze in a six hour introductory workshop (four classes of ninety minutes). This should be very interesting.
In Class #2 tonight we will be going into the Camera.
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