No Traces Blog

I'm a little behind getting this update out. I had my first class last Tuesday. The class is called Photo I, and is required to take other classes I'm interested in - like printmaking, and a few advanced digital classes.

We'll learn how to process our own film, and do some basic printmaking - enough to help us determine if we want to move on and enhance our skills. I'm excited to explore both areas.

The first night, there were 34 people who showed up. A lot more than I expected, but I'm told that probably half will drop by the second class. The first night was free -- the lecture on exposure was pretty good, certainly worth the price. This week, students will have to pony up the $365 for class -- and invest about $200 in supplies. I would guess we'll be down to 20, which is a very workable group size, given the tasks at hand.

We really didn't do much more than discuss exposure during the first class. Aperture/Shutter Speed/ASA(ISO)/Light Available --- the four key elements to a good exposure. I'll admit -- I was a little more than bored with this part -- but I found it comical to see so many people show up to class with nice, new, shiny cameras - and not have a clue as to how to use them! One guy actually showed up with a Mamiya SLR -- he had no idea how to tell what the max and min shutter speeds are on the the camera! Much less how big, or small, the aperture range is...

There were several people who didn't realize they had to put a battery in the camera -- or their battery was completly dead. Why would you go to the class without checking your meter or your battery? Why? Oh -- and there were a few people who actually showed up with NO camera. Imagine that... People are strange, aren't they?

I sat and listened, and learned a thing or two about exposure -- and tried to lend a hand to those around me who didn't know how to find their ASA reading -- or apeture ring -- or shutter speed.... I actually enjoyed it -- helping people see that there's actually more to their camera than just an AUTO setting!

This coming Tuesday, we'll learn to load film on the reel (I'm a little ahead of the class here - thanks to Jim Arnold, John at Orbit1, and Ian at Fiftymillimeter - they've given more information and guidance than I'll probably get from this class!) -- and we'll discuss exposure again -- shutter speeds... Should be fun.

Oh -- and I've had my first assignment! I went out and shot a roll of T-Max -- making certain NEVER to take a shot below 1/60th :-) That was a tough one :-)

I know -- I think I'm Mr. Smarty -- but I'm just having fun -- I know once I get into making contact sheets, and printing -- I'll be grossly involved -- I don't want to be left behind!

I'll try to give everyone an update after tomorrow night's class!

Posted by Bob at 11:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I thought I would post up another old photo. Several of you have said you like these photos -- and I do, too. In fact, I'm amazed at how many responses I get whenever I post them. So -- here ya go! I'll post more when I can.

Oh -- this is me (closest to the camera) -- and my father and brother in the background.

Posted by Bob at 11:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My mother sends me old photos from when I was a child. I like this one because it reminds me of a Lomo shot -- and I'm a fan of the Lomo. I just thought I would share it here. Pretty cool, huh?

UPDATE: That's me in the front -- and my brother in the back on the left. I'm not sure who the other boy is -- a cousin, I'm sure.

Posted by Bob at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I begin my first photography class tomorrow. Sounds a bit strange, doesn't it? After all, I'm 45, and I've been making images since I was - well, for as long as I can remember -- but I never took an official photography class.

I suppose I never did because I just wanted to learn on my own. Pick things up as I went along. I never had any intention of making money from my photography, and I still feel that way. I'm in it for the pure love of images. I like to capture images of things I love -- not wedding images -- not images of someone's kids -- but of things that please me. For me, it's all about the 'feel' of an image -- feeling what I'm shooting. I probably don't take near as many photos as most photographers because of that reason. I just don't like to take and image just to take it. There's got to be a feeling there for me -- something that sparks me to raise my camera, take an exposure reading, frame it, focus it, and shoot it. I may go a whole day and only take a few images -- but I'm usually very pleased with the results.

So -- I take this thinking with me into my first class. I'm taking the class at one of the finest places in Chicago. I'm hoping to learn how to properly develop my own film and make prints -- that's FIRST on my list. All the while, I'm certain I'll learn a lot about exposure, composition, etc. -- but I'm there mostly to learn from other like-minded photographers. Maybe they aren't all that like-minded -- which is fine by me -- I just want to learn new things -- try new things -- experience new things -- and let it all take me wherever it shall go.

I'll keep everyone posted as to my progress -- and share what I've learned. Maybe you'll find it inspiring, or valuable to your own brand of photography -- maybe not. I'm open to any, and all, suggestions as I go through the next 8 weeks. I'm certain I'll be posting a lot of what I do in class - so bear with me - I hope it's entertaining and pleasing... and I know I'll be looking for feedback from all my photoblogging friends -- hey, I'd like to get an A in the class!!

Posted by Bob at 09:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)