As most of you will know, I have been studying Photography at TAFE for the last year and have 6 months to go to gain my Diploma.  While I’ve always loved photography, anything I’ve ever done has been with a point and shoot camera so to have to learn the technical side of using a DSLR has been, for this frazzled brain anyway, quite a steep learning curve.  There have been many times where I’ve almost given it up as it was just too hard. Thankfully, I’ve had a great group of people around me who have provided heaps of encouragement, help and friendship which has made the journey that much easier.

I think what made me REALLY interested in doing a photography course was when I started doing slideshows.  It’s amazing how often people will bring you a set of photos for a special occasion slideshow and they are really poor quality.  Remember the photos our grandparents and great grandparents had? Beautiful clear sepia or black and white portraits where you could clearly see their features.  All done by a professional photographer.  Then “do it yourself” cameras became popular and everyone started doing their own photography, often to the detriment of a few generations of family history.  I knew I wanted to take beautiful portraits that would stand the test of time.

So last week, I asked one of my lovely classmates if I could use her two daughters as models for a few photographs I wanted to do and she (and her daughters) said yes.  I went in a bit apprehensive as I had a very set idea on what I wanted, at least from one of the girls.  I had a vague idea for the other but one was set in my mind.  My insecurities were skyhigh as I didn’t want to disappoint them or myself.

The girls were just fantastic models for me.  They did what I asked of them.  The  youngest stood out in the boiling hot sun and posed while I battled with shadows and light and proved herself to be a little trouper.  (her mum held diffusers and helped in every way she could too)

Then the older of the girls braved a very cold pool (as I did too) to get the set shot I wanted.  Although the day was hot, the pool was cold and it took both our breaths away .   But we both settled in for the shot.  Like her younger sister, she did everything I asked of her and the job was done in no time.  I couldn’t wait to get home to have a look at what they looked like on the computer.

Well, I wasn’t disappointed.  I was absolutely thrilled with the results I got from both of the girl’s photos.  I could finally see the results of those 12 months of study I’d already completed.  I had the photos I was looking for.  I know which direction I want to go into with photography and these were the photos that told me I was on the right path.

Yes I have six months to go to complete my Diploma but I am now confident of achieving that and the goals I have set myself within photography.  If you have ever had a hankering to learn more about photography, I would highly recommend it.  I see the world through different eyes now.  I look for the beauty in everything as I’m always framing a shot in my head.  A wall of graffiti suddenly becomes a great backdrop for a photograph.  A discarded trolley in a quiet park becomes the subject of an suburban snapshot.  Everything looks different to me now.

Although I’ll be finished this course in June, I’ll be looking to go further with it.  There is still so much to learn and although no course can teach you everything, you can get the basics and then build your knowledge from there.  Next is to learn more about Adobe Photoshop & Lightroom, although I am quickly gaining proficiency in them too.

If you don’t feel you could commit to a face to face class, consider online photography courses.  I know there are quite a few I want to do after I finish this and I can’t wait to learn more and more.  Photography really is so exciting and, for me, life changing. Even if you don’t want to make a career out of it, future generations of your family will appreciate being able to see you in those gorgeous quality photos like our grandparents had.

These are a few of the photos I took.  The one in the pool was the one I had the clear idea on and I am absolutely thrilled to be able to share it with you today.

Happy learning…. Livvy 🙂