Rediscovering the local library

I used to use the library on a very regular basis.  I'm not sure when or why this stopped.  There are always books around at home so it's not that I have fallen out of love with books, it's just that I cannot remember the last time that I went to a library.

Now that I think more about it it was all about convenience.  When we used to live on the edge of Derby it was easy to call in at the central library as we walked home from town.  Yesterday it was a visit to the library at Swadlincote.  It feels small.  The pleasant surprise was a section of books about photography, all I need now is proof of who I am and I can start borrowing.  One of the first that I will borrow will be the one about low light photography.  Having started the course in September all of it will be undertaken during late autumn, winter and early spring so it's likely that there will be a lot of low light work, especially as I am looking to have a go at location photography.

Need to work on how to expose where there is a wide variety of lighting conditions covering the one subject.

Kedleston Hall, 25th September 2010
14mm (28mm equivalent) ISO 100, F3.5, 1/2sec
mini-tripod on display shelf



Kedleston Hall, 25th September 2010

14mm (28mm equivalent) ISO 100, F3.5, 1/2sec

mini-tripod on display shelf

These two images have been taken in the Marble hall at Kedleston Hall which is currently housing an art installation titled Promenade by Susie MacMurray

7512 - Which units?

16 weeks with 2 down, 42 hours tutorial time left.  How much time can I realistically give over to this?  An hour a day during the week and a further 5 or so at the weekend should be quite possible.  I read a lot anyway so this now becomes research time.  The time count creeps up, this adds another 140 hours+

The handbook for the course gives guide of 90 GLH for the Certificate in Specialist Photography and Presentation.  GLH - Guided Learning Hours.  Specific tasks are guided; does background research come into this?

As I look at the handbook further there appears to be a cross-over with some of the units.  In order to progress with a specialist photography unit it will be necessary to develop a better understanding of equipment and how the intended image will be developed for output.  The various assignments that we are to be presented with are effectively mini briefs. 

If that is taken further it is not a huge stretch to look at the extra units for the Certificate in Photography and Photo Imaging.  The handbook identifies 180 GLH, which would include those identified already.  Is this too much?  Work to the 90 and time allowing pull in the additional seems to be the way forward.

A long winded way of coming round to units:
211 - Photo image presentation
208 - Principles in location photography

Time and inclination permitting follow up with:
210 - Principles of photo image output &
212 - Working to a photo imaging brief OR potentially
205 - Photo imaging equipment and materials.

First steps

People.............

Not something that I have chosen to photograph before.  I dislike having my own picture taken and have avoided forcing this on others for so long it is not an easy thought. 

While trying to work out all of the controls of a new camera I thought that I would try and get over the people thing. 

The first real opportunity to take anything candid presents itself on Saturday 25th Sept at a local community event.

Tried to stay unobtrusive.  Only lens available is a standard kit lens  14-42mm on an Olympus 4/3rds mount - 28-84 35mm equivalent.  My usual responce to this sort of task would be to use as long a lens as possible and stay out of the way.  Determined to stay in the 14-20mm range and try and get in closer. 

First thoughts - people move - going to have to speed up thought process.

Second - people move, give me a building, landscape, flower anything, help.....

I know the task is to use manual controls and I will, but I need to capture at least one or two images as well, don't I?

Barrow upon Trent, 25th Sept 2010.

19mm(38mm equivalent), ISO 200, F4, 1/60th

So what is up there?

Harder than I thought to get close enough so have had to crop quite heavily.  This just made me smile - it would have been better without the goal post growing out of the youngsters' head.

The original is in Raw so I could probably do something about the sky being bleached.  Need to think further ahead, judge what may be about to happen and set up accordingly.  Who's silly idea was going back to school?

Photography 7512

Well here goes.  Initial thoughts at having to do this by blog were mixed - have often thought of "social media" as a place for people to not meet and develop unreal relationships.  It's good to discover a more practical use.

Why 7521?
I have thought about some kind of course on and off for a number of years.  The prompt that made me do something about it was buying my first digital camera this year.  Well, 1st if you discout the mobile phone.  A course - because it will make me do the work.  7512  - because it has a focus on doing stuff.  I did look at things like an A-level, which was too arts based;  the course offered by the Open University was interesting, but there was no direct contact with the tutor and it is good to be able to speak with a real person.

My first venture into fomal education for many years is not as straight forward as first thought.  I've already decided that I wanted to do the course and now I discover that it is 20 courses in one.  At least I can discount the industry based ones.  The recommendation, if there is no burning desire to do anything different, is to look at a Certificate in Specialist Photography and Presentation.  As good a place as any to start.

Now - homework!

Not only do I have to use bits of the camera that I don't know how to use yet, but I have to take pictures with people in them.  People......