Photography

Photography class can be fun, but at times it can be extremely stressful.  Last year I took photography, and this year I'm in advanced photography.  By seventh period, I usually welcome photography as a hiatus from my bunkum day, but sometimes it can be just as stressful as the rest of my classes.  In photo we learn two types of photography: digital and film.  While digital photography may be the "way of the future," I have to say I much prefer film.  First of all, when using a digital camera, you do not put as much effort into every frame as you would film.  Also, digital cameras allow you to see the pictures that you have taken right away, so whoever you are photographing wants to see the picture.  More often than not they are dissatisfied with their appearance in the photo, and make you delete it.  Lastly, when using a digital camera, I feel like a neophyte.  When holding a film camera, I feel as though I have a connection to the past, and it makes me feel more professional and it gives me a greater sense of confidence in my photos.

While I enjoy taking pictures with black and white film, it can also lead to great stress.  I cannot count the amount of times I have spent days on a role of film, making sure the f-stop and the light meter are perfect on every frame, spending time on getting the tripod perfectly balanced, only to find out that the shutter speed was too high, resulting in a blank role of film.  On the contrary, when you discover that the photographs did come out, it is an extremely empowering feeling.  But having the film come out is only the first step...

Then comes the stresses of the dark room.  There are different filters to be used on different exposures, dodging, burning, toning...it's almost impossible to get a picture right on the first try.  There have been days where I would go into the darkroom at the beginning of the period and come out with nothing.  However, no matter how stressful photography may be, the benefits and the sense of pride that come along with producing a good photograph far outweigh the inevitable stresses that come along with it.

(P.S. - I took this photo in Venice over the summer)