Originally I posted a small photo of an exquisitely adorable picture taken by my gifted class member. But I've had second thoughts as I didn't have her permission nor the parent's permission to post such a picture on the nasty internet.
So I've changed my mind and posting a shot of a fellow class member reading her author's statement in front of the class. Her work was a series of beautifully rendered portraits of children.
If you've ever tried it, taking a meaningful picture of a baby or toddler is very difficult. Myself, I have taken dozens and hundreds of lousy pictures of my children when they were small with point and shoot cameras.
Last night was our last class for the eight session Digital Photography 1 class at Edmonds Community College. Most of the ten members (including myself) presented their final projects. Mine was a collage of photos centered around a small oriental rug (it's been featured on this blog recently). I would say it was generally positively received. The teacher, Leslie, has a real gift for positive feedback, she can identify the excellent points in every student's work. This was a beginning class; all women, most younger than me, all with SLR quality cameras except me.
I wasn't expecting the tears. The projects presented by the students really tugged at their hearts. One student had many pictures from her vacation with her husband and two sons, commemorating them and their experiences, squeezing an image of the time was so important to her, she broke down crying describing the essences of the vacation pictures for herself and her sons.
Another presented a series of pictures of her very young children with her military office husband in uniform. Clearly, she was committed to the military with its attendant duty and glory. Many patriotic images in these photos of a father with his children. Touching.
Another student had the most sophisticated presentation of black and white photos. Truly a talent.
Leslie encouraged the portrait photographer to really consider using her gift professionally. Later, the student, thanked the teacher in a very heartfelt manner (with tears) saying that as a mother of a young child, she had not had any idea of what she should do further and, for the first time, she really felt that she had a direction, she knew what she should do.
Reflecting on this class vs a similar eight week class that I took last summer (Guided Autobiography). Both artistic expression classes, eight sessions, all women. This class developed some great social ties but I don't feel like I will stay in touch or that the class will go further as a group. My five member Guided Autobiography class (now known as the Inner Circle) has kept together and developed ever-increasing personal bonds.
But a great experience, I learned a ton, thanks Teacher Leslie and Assistant Tonya!
Photo used without permission
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