My Photography Journey

"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst"

                                                                      Henri Cartier-Bresson

Well, there I was on Tuesday 27th October, clutching my photography quote nicely printed out in large font on A4 paper as requested, and attending the first photography class for session 2015-16 at West Highland College UHI.  This first meeting with fellow students was a gregarious affair with lots of opportunity for talk, and of course I talk, though usually too much while not wholly focusing on the icebreaker task in hand!  Perhaps I subscribe to the quote from photojournalist Alfred Eisenstaedt (1898-1995) "It is important to click with people than to click the shutter". (This quote being reassuringly given to us by tutor Simon Larson when sharing the Course Overview for SQA Higher Photography.) We are lucky to have a photography tutor of Simon's calibre to mentor us through the course - check out his Photography FB page Simon-Larson-Photography

Simon also shared these SQA Higher Photography objectives with us:-

• to communicate personal thoughts, feelings and ideas
• to develop problem solving, thinking and reflective practice skills
• to develop technical and creative skills and
• to develop knowledge and understanding of photography practice

Now my problem with being a reflective practitioner is that my self-criticism usually leads to feeling of negativity.  I question my own limited attainment of the skills, knowledge and understanding in art and design having been a class teacher who relied on classroom support from the visiting Art specialist (now sadly withdrawn from classrooms).  Thankfully my awareness of the mindfulness training which is an initiative prevalent in Scottish education at present kicked in!  I considered that subscribing to this philosophy could enhance my own well-being and performance so I follow it through.

 I need to direct my attention to my experience as it unfolds in the Photography class; I will aim to not dwell on past deep-rooted emotions of lacking creativity and also not worry about what might happen on this photographic journey.

Therefore, focussing on the now:-

1. I have already learnt and researched at some length two well-known photographs (my claim being that I could only name Ansel Adams and have vague knowledge of a few others;
2. My resolution is to discontinue my practice of clicking the shutter a lot (500+ captures on a recent weekend shoot!
3. I have purchased my journal and a book entitled Light, Gesture and Colour (Voices That Matter) by Jay Maisel, which means that I have researched a third famous photographer!
4. I have a Personal Development Plan stating my development objectives for the next three months.
5. And finally to quote Imogen Cunningham:-                                                                              "What is my favourite photograph?  The one I'm going to take tomorrow". 

                                         Imogen Cunningham's notable Magnolia Blossom