[Previous entry: "Mirror Project"] [Main Index] [Next entry: "Jim Morrison"]

07/02/2001 Entry: "Shades of Grey"

First day of basic black and white photography class was a mix of the usual first class recordkeeping and explanations, handouts, course requirements, short lecture and then the fun part...

Class let out barely early enough for a quick trip by the local camera shop to stock up on supplies for Thursday's class when we process our first roll of film. I am so happy that I didn't do my usual procrastination routine and wait until later, as the store will be closed for a long 4th of July holiday. As it was, I snuck in fifteen minutes before they closed with my shopping list clutched in my sweaty palms. It was a fevered trip through the store, filling two of their little mini-baskets with all sorts of photo goodies and nary a trace of guilt, because it was all stuff I "needed for school".

We have an assignment already, shooting a roll to be developed in our next class. Any subjects we want, as long as there's some nice form, contrast and textures. The instructor harped on quite a bit about textures, so I'm thinking a few old lichen or moss covered tombstones, nicely weathered and flaking with an old iron fence in some high grass will work for the first roll or so.

I'm mighty tempted to play pinhole for at least one shot but I'd probably be better off to stick with a glass lens for the moment, just to keep the number of variables to a minimum. Why confuse myself more than I already am? Not that this class sounds like it will be confusing, everything so far seems fairly simple and logical and with a small class size, help's not too far away.

Yeah, I'm stoked. It's going to be a great class and a great summer.