In-Class Writing Assignment

Three Positives:

1. Technically, I definitely have a much clearer view of how to use an SLR camera. Before this class SLRs really terrified me, even though I took a photojournalism class and a photography class in the past. Now I am much better with SLR cameras.

2. I think I am much stronger with finding subject matters than I was in the past. It's important because if I plan to continue taking pictures in the future the subject is key. I am now able to find subjects that I think would be pleasing not just to me but to other people who are going to view my pictures, and that is just as important as me enjoying the subject.

3. When photographing subjects I have found a pretty good way to get all different photos, not just the same long-distance shot that I used to get. I take profile pictures, detail shots and all of the other shots that make a set of pictures really successful.


Three Negatives:
1. I'm not very certain of how the grading process works in this class. For example, on my first portrait project I received a "B" because my subject was wearing a shirt that didn't fit the setting. While I agree that the outfit choice did hurt the project slightly, I'm not sure how that could warrant a B as a final grade. I think what I could do is communicate my problems with the grades a little better when I receive them.

2. There is too much distance between me and my subjects in projects. I could, of course, get closer to the subject and make myself more known during the shooting process, or I could try my hand at a zoom lens and see how that could benefit my projects.

3. It is really difficult for me to make time to get these projects done. I'm so so busy this semester as I get ready to graduate that I barely even have time to sleep, and the ideal time to go out and photograph is during the day when I am at my internships or in class. This is my biggest problem that I am still trying to find a way to overcome. I can't miss class to take pictures, and I can't call out of my internship either. It's so stressful and I have no idea how to get over that. Sometimes I think that if I can get more time to do the projects instead of once a week that would solve all my problems, because then I could find time to even edit the photos to my liking.