Gotta Start Somewhere.

EARLY this morning I went with a couple of friends to the Lee Metcalf Refuge to try to capture some nature. I was expecting roaming deer and hopping bunnies. No such luck. It was quite cold and cloudy--not the best of mornings to be out there. It was a beautiful drive, especially at 5:30 in the morning when the mist and fog is still hovering over the mountain tops. Too bad I have a lousy lens (for now) and have no idea what the correct exposure is for a cloudy mountain in half light. Just one more thing to learn this summer.

Anyway, here's a couple of shots that I ended up with--I thought I'd dedicate it to Laura, as she always appreciates my shroom shots. Why is that, Laura?

Please remember that I am a student here, and so the skill level is nowhere near where I hope it will be in the next few months. But I figured the end result will not be as impressive if I don't show my beginning efforts first. Right?

In other news, my neighbors have the CUTEST dogs and I have been stalking them. I talk to them through the fence and they wag their tails at me. The dogs, not the neighbors.
Would it be totally weird if I asked the people who live there if they'd ever let me walk them? The dogs, not the neighbors.

Oh how I miss my puppies.

Whooo are you... do do do do...

I miss CSI.

Today I had my first test. It was a take home test. I wasn't expecting these particular questions, but according to my instructor, the answers are more important than I might think. So I thought, why not post them? Some background info on me, if nothing else. 

1. List your last 3 Jobs: 

• Nanny
• Used bookstore employee
• Admin Assistant

2. If you weren't a photographer, what would your dream job be?

Humanitarian aid, in some capacity

3. What's your favorite book?

It's a 3 way tie: The Great Gatsby, The Poisonwood Bible, and Pride and Prejudice

4. What's your favorite movie?

It's a Wonderful Life

5. List your 3 favorite hobbies or passions:

• Photography
• Reading
• Travel

6. When you go to a party are you an observer or a joiner? What' the payoff of taking that role? 

I guess I do a bit of both. I like to observe people more than join in. Sometimes it's more interesting. It depends on how comfortable I am with the people who are there.

7. Where do you see yourself in the pictures you take?

I suppose I see myself as the storyteller or messenger. 

8. Favorite photographic subject (List up to 3 in order of preference)

• Shape and texture (macro) of anything, really
• Candids of people
• Nature/Wildlife

9. Least favorite photographic subject (One only)

• Adults in a non-candid setting

10. Biggest fear in photography

Not being as good as I've hoped I can be.

11. Name your favorite photographer or favorite photograph

 I love everything by Alfred Eisenstaedt

12. Where do you feel most at ease/grounded?

Anywhere I am with my husband and my dogs

13. Tell me something about yourself that I wouldn't know by looking at you.

I love to laugh. Finding humor in things is what keeps me sane. 

While this was a fun little exercise I'm assuming the rest of my tests will be a lot different. 

Also, today I learned that I know more about photography than I thought I did. And I learned quite a few new things that will hopefully already make my compositions a bit better. Tomorrow is my first field study, which means I go out with a couple of instructors and assistants and they grade me on how well I can complete an assignment in the field. In tomorrow's case-- control of depth of field and communicating motion through shutter speed. So far, I feel like I'm following along quite well. But who knows what tomorrow will bring!

The Show is Officially on the Road

Today was my first official day of lecture, where I learned all about tripods, ball heads and small, medium and large format cameras. I am totally getting smarter already. I can feel it.

I also attended a 2 and a half hour lecture on bear safety. I can now tell you what an L plate is for your tripod, and the difference between black bear and grizzly bear tracks. It was a good day.

Yesterday was a long day of going over curriculum, rules, directions, where to park, etc. so I was really glad to dive in today. I've already met a lot of really great people, and I've been more social and introduced myself to more people in a short period of time than I think I ever have. Yesterday Arno from Finland and I sat together at lunch. We discussed the health care system in Finland. He gets to go to the dentist for $10. Sometimes it pays to be Finnish.

I don't have much to show for myself yet, but I'm sure I'll have lots of projects coming up. I will also have my own "professional level," hosted website for the time that I'm here. It's not quite up and running yet, but when it is that is where I will put most of my shots. The site is:

www.amandamarshallphotography.com

Creative, no?

As it is almost midnight and I have a long day ahead, that's all for now. Pictures to come soon...