Photography class

So, I’m about halfway through my introductory photography class. It’s been a long enough evaluation period that I feel comfortable saying it’s not a great class. But I’m learning in spite of that, so it’s not a total loss.

I get the impression, although I can’t quantify it, that the instructor knows his stuff. He just doesn’t communicate it well. It seems very much like he’s just winging it in every class, and I’d swear he makes up the homework assignments right on the spot. He misspeaks often and doesn’t correct himself, and the technophobes in class simply can’t follow along, and are too sheepish to speak up about it.

My confidence was shaken during the very first class, when he had trouble connecting a DVD player to a TV, and I ended up doing it for him. He was a little defensive about not knowing how, but part of being a tech support nerd is knowing how to be diplomatic, so I prevailed.

Still, I’m learning enough that I’d like to take more classes. However, what I’m learning most of all is that I’m no longer satisfied with my point-and-shoot camera. I will no longer be happy with anything less than a DSLR, which of course means I’ll probably have to turn to a life of crime in order to finance it.

It doesn’t help that at least one student has about $2000 worth of camera and barely knows which end to hold. But she’s taking the initiative by taking a class at all, so I can’t really be critical.

Honestly, though, I don’t know if the point-and-shoot will cut it in the more advanced classes. I’m already getting assignments that I can’t complete with my equipment, and that’s from an instructor who’s not even that good.

We’re going on a photo outing this weekend. Should be interesting…