Listening to the Voices in My Head

Wing signed us up for a photography workshop, "Beauty In Motion". Although Wing did explain what he was after (taking photos using ambient and available light instead of using strobes or studio set up) and he was given the all clear.

We arrived in time (although the traffic did threaten to make us late.). Upon arrival, we were handing a sign in sheet. I read it, and it raised my eyebrow. Across the top of this 'form' was a statement that I, the photographer, retained full copyright of said photos... BUT I wasn't allowed to do anything with them. Whohuhwha...? I read the entire thing, and noticed something. It wasn't a legit release/binding form. When i questioned the contradiction, I was snottily told it would be 'explained to you later'. Strike One

It was 'explained', by an extremely rude man who glared at me, while thrusting the form around the room, pretty much in an attempt to intimidate everyone (me in particular) into accepting it as THE LAW. it wasn't, but with the exception of me, maybe Wing and a few others, the attendees were total or near beginners and didn't know any better. I did know better, and don't appreciate being lied to, or bullied. Strike Two

It turned out to be a full on studio shoot, with strobes and light boxes, not working with ambient and available light. Oh well, I figured the old Lemon/Lemonade , and make the best of the situation. I knew what I wanted as a pose from the dancer. I took the shot, got what I wanted, and the 'teacher' wanted to look at it. He did, and then did nothing but criticize it, how it wasn't what HE would have done. Tough shit, guy, it was the shot *I* wanted. It went downhill from there.

He imparted so much erroneous information (case in point: all cameras if set to the same shutter speed, aperture setting, and ISO, would get the same photo. Hullo? Sensor capabilities, lens, etc etc?), and even Wing noticed. And then there was this guy, skulking around, sneaking photos of the participants of this workshop. I didn't sign any release form agreeing to have my photo taken during this workshop, and even though I blatantly placed either my hand or camera between me and this photographer, he kept sneaking around the room. Strike 3.

I took my camera apart and packed it in my camera bag. The volunteer from FotoFreo came over to talk to us, wanting to know if the workshop was what we expected. I know I gave a look to Wing that just reeked "Is she f**king kidding?" but politely said no, it wasn't. That all it was was a studio shoot, something we had already done. "Oh, as long as you're satisfied." "No, we aren't. As we said, this isn't what it was purported to be." She insisted "As long as you're happy" to the point I was looking for a wind up key. Forfeited the Game!

Wing wrote/typed up his opinion of this workshop and the people handling it.

Wing and I attended a photography workshop, "Lightplay"

Using standing lights, flash, reflected and natural lighting to sculpt, highlight, and give texture to photographic subject. Workshop run by Seng Mah of "Venture Photography"

It was amazing. It helped me with mentally converting film camera usage to digital. I caught on quick, and out of the 200 photos taken, 123 of them are keepers. I will have to go through them and delete ones that are similar or duplicates from getting a burst of photos.

I was exhausted the next day, and still a bit tired today (not to mention my knee giving me grief for what I put it through), but I would do it all again in a nano second.

Spent 3 hrs at a photo workshop today. It really helped Wing cement some of what he has already learned, and confirmed what I already knew. I really don't mind a refresher course.

Part of the workshop was to go up to people and ask to take their photo, and why. Everyone I asked was fine with it. Got their email addresses and sent them copies of their portraits.

Was much fun. Sneepy now.

Brought home a lot of new information, and technique to use with the Canon and Lumix. Even though my Lumix isn't a 'real' DSLR, more like a hybrid, what i am learning applies to it.

The only problem I had is this: What is the use of RTFM when TFM is incorrect? The Lumix manual is wrong on how to set up choosing focus zones. I spent almost an hour, going step by step according to the manual over and over, without any luck. I was beginning to think the camera was broken. Turns out, the manual was wrong. It forgot one very important step. Set the camera to CUSTOM first.

Bad news is my Canon is acting up. It's probably coming to it's "End of use" life. Aikidomayland really pissed me off last night with "Well, why did you buy a defective camera?" It's not defective.. it's an old, much loved, much used digital SLR. And I tried to explain to him about that, and then he said just use the Lumix in the class. *sigh* Once more I tried to 'splain to him about the Lumix not being a DSLR, but a hybrid, and he just can't get his head around that.

I have HOMEWORK!

I'm less confused using the Canon, as I told him that I had tried to read the manual over and over but my eyes would glaze over. He said that is a common problem and complaint about said manuals.