Welcome! I'm so excited for you to begin your photography journey :) I have been taking photos professionally for the past 11 years and teaching photography for almost as long. I have taken a few online courses to hone my skills over the years but give most of the credit to the Provo Library photography section, bloggers and LOTS and LOTS of practice to round out my education.
First, enjoy this CLASSIC Kodak commercial about the value of pictures. It makes me tear up every time I watch it :D
1. I put together a video course all about LIGHT. It is the first and most important thing you can learn about to improve your photography.
Watch this entire course, preferably on a COMPUTER screen and not a phone screen -- being able to see the images larger will be helpful. I don't recommend casting this to a TV, I've had mixed results with the light and color coming through correctly. Turn up the light on your monitor screen so you can see the images clearly :)
**I do ask that you do not share this video with others, teaching photography is usually a gig I get paid to do so I'm only making this content available for free for my fantastic Vanguard families. Thanks!
Watch Light Course Here --- TIP! For the best viewing quality make sure your youtube settings are on 1080HD Quality :)
2. IF YOU HAVE a DSLR (the big black camera that allows you to switch out lenses), watch this super quick video to find out what settings to use on your camera for the photography assignment.
3. This final step is only for students with a DSLR who want to learn how to shoot in manual (complete control over the camera). This is NOT required watching for students who are only taking this class for fun without any interest of improving their photography beyond our monthly class (and that's ok!). This video has a lot of photographer jargon in it that you will need to know if you want to shoot in manual. The video is so well done and explains things is a simple way but still, you're going to need to take notes and ask questions (text me if you're gung ho to understand and apply before class, or just bring your questions to class).
1. Take a photo of a person (or persons!) with good indoor light. Do pay attention to your background and how you fill the frame with the person but focus on light most of all.
2. Take a photo of person(s) with great outdoor light. Wow me! Don't just stand in the shade in front of a brick wall, head out at sunset and find BEAUTY in light. Look for eyelights, purposefully choose a background and show me some diffused light portraits!
3. BEFORE NOON ON WEDNESDAY email me your BEST photo (either indoor OR outdoor). I'm going to be putting these into a slideshow for us to see as a class and choosing a 1st place, Vanbucks winner!
If you watched my video on light then you know that one of my favorite names for the Savior is the Light of the World so I would like you to watch this three-part video series from Elder Bednar all about the Light of Christ. Watch these videos, even if you've seen them before, and as you go through your week of becoming a noticer of light -- the light in the trees, in your home, on the faces of the people you love -- ponder on how your knowledge of the light of Christ makes a difference in your life.
