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Masterclass in Photography has really taught me to look at light

 23rd Sep 2020

From our feedback form

Masterclass in Photography has...

Improved my photos.

What are the differences before Masterclass in Photography & after?

Here are some of my reflections from taking your Masterclass in Photography course.  

  • I am now looking at light - I never saw this and am amazed - I can now see light hitting trees which has been transformational.  I can be driving along, looking off into the distance and seeing how light hits the distant landscapes
  • I used to think that "shady dull trees" were best,  but now seeing the impact of light and what it does to my photographs
  • While going through the Masterclass in Photography, specifically referencing your comments on backgrounds (watching out for airplane trails), I saw them in your motorcycle industrial shoot - not criticizing your photo but happy that I am looking more at the details
  • I learned how to use the depth of field button.  I traditionally shoot with wide apertures, and hit the DOF button and nothing ever happened.  When I close the aperture, I am able to see the impact of DOF button - DUH!
  • Through this course I shot manually (except for the TV and AV lessons).  But, I taught myself to flip the dial back to AV.  Too often I picked up the camera and shot, not realizing I was in manual, missing that first shot because I am so aperture focused. - As you can tell I use Canon
  • I am still struggling with composing in familiar areas but am working on that.  I find inspiration in non-familiar areas
  • I am struggling with finding my way - am I landscape (no), street photo (sort of), travel (yes), artistic (I enjoy), sport (no), Wildlife (maybe), nature/woods (yes), Wedding (no) - I am not doing this for money I am only a hobbyist
  • I want to take the ultimate picture for my house that I can split across 3 framed pictures
  • I offered my services (gratis) for my sister's wedding in Cancun, Mexico (back in 2008) and was her wedding photographer - I did photograph her wedding and did get some AWESOME pictures (an old Canon Crop sensor - I think it was a Canon Rebel)

Is the course value for money?

Yes - I am not afraid to invest in training.  "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day.  Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime."

Would you recommend The Masterclass in Photography?

Yes - It has really taught me to look at light.  I have already started expanding and relearning my color wheel theory.

Tell us about your achievements & how you feel about them:

I am a personal hobbyist and not concerned about accolades...

  • When I was shooting the TV waterfall scene, turned the camera vertically, my Lee filter popped off and fell into the creek.  Luckily it did not break and I recovered it without issue
  • When shooting the waterfall scene, I tripped over the tripod and nearly lost the camera - it was sitting on a wobbly and narrow place to shoot from

These two near disastrous experiences have significantly raised my awareness and I take extra care and time - I use a wrist strap now too... I don't want to lose this expensive gear.  The clothing I wore was not correct, so chalk one up to your lesson 1.

Anything else you'd like to say?

In 1988 (when I graduated high school in the US), I took a photo class (developer, stop bath, fixer days.)  I had a Canon AV-1 and AE-1 back then. It is something I truly enjoy and have done since then. I feel like I am recapturing my youth.  I am getting much more serious about this hobby - hence the investment in Masterclass in Photography.

Cheers.

Jeff Cooper

 

 

beginners photo course

 

 

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