I've had a busy teaching experience as the leaves are begining to turn. I led a workshop several weeks ago at Blithewold Gardens and Arboretum called "The Fall Of The Leaf." We roamed the lovely grounds and made beautiful images of the change of seasons. This class was really about inspiration, and when my charges left, I could feel their creative juices flowing... and this inspires me!
I have begun a new educational adventure at Salve University called "The Circle Of Scholars." The excellent COS program is run for senior citizens by Salve partly to strengthen public relations with the community, and also for enrichment. My class is basic digital photography, "Making Digital Photographs," for newbie digital shooters. Wow, what a facility I have to work in; The Pell Center for International Studies is a gorgeous old brownstone mansion with large murals on the walls, and exquisite detailing everywhere. The AV department spoils me, as a specialist comes over and sets up my projector promptly 15 minutes prior. My students sit in comfortable swivel chairs while I pontificate. We wander the grounds and shot the autumn lanscape. Last week we discussed shutter speeds, and I could tell that many of my "kids" got lost, or bored talking tech. I'm changing course next week... composition is something they will find more to their liking, I hope.
But the real teaching challenge has been Lightroom, a class I'm holding at 2701 East Main, the old studio. It is a tight fit in there for 8 students in my camera room. I'm finding my pace, after a rocky start the first week. I've just realized that many, if not most of my gang hasn't a solid understanding of the file structure on their computers. The first class was on the Library Module, and what with two operating systems going, two versions of Lightroom cooking, and my students possessing a wide range of computer experience from none to lots, I had so many questions that we didn't cover as much ground as I would have liked.
Last Saturday morning was better. The subject was Lightroom Develop Module, and I could tell that things were beginning to sink in. Our little group actually enjoyed the 3 hours staring at my projections on the white wall.
I find that I really love teaching this program, and teaching in general. More classes are in the works.
