Photo Course: Night Two

The second night of the course is over... Ben is the second photographer/trainer we have met and he was in tonight because Brian was doing some family stuff (sending his son off overseas, I think?). Ben has a passion and enthusiasm for photography and a fairly kooky sense of humour (associated with a very infectious laugh). Everyone left tonight with a smile on their face...

Tonight was interesting and gave a little background on photography and some very basic terminology regarding how light is captured in a camera and how the parts all relate. Aperature, shutter speed, film speed (sensitivity)/sensor 'sensitivity'... All very basic so far. I wanted to do this course partly to find out what I didn't know and I'm expecting that part to come. I certainly don't know everything, it's just that the basics are the basics...

Ben took us on a tour and showed us the darkroom, the studios, the computer room and the staff offices. Then he did a portrait session and took all of our photos using a single studio flash with a medium sized soft box. He showed us some basics of how to position someone and get them at ease. I cannot believe the comments from potential professional photographers about not liking to have their photo taken! (Girls; if you ever read this - please try and get over that feeling and learn to love it. You will be so much better at getting your clients to relax if you have worked out how to do it yourself)... Ben also showed us some basics for adding and removing light with light and dark paper. Basically to either fill or shade part of an subject to give a more sculpted look to the model.

Tonight everyone was a little more relaxed as the first was over and we are starting to get into it. The comment "we are all going to spend the next two years together" made everyone relax a little more and go with it (thanks Paula)...

I have had my first roll of slide film developed and as soon as I work out how to scan them I will show some of them here. Stay tuned...