Since

the semester is officially over. I have been spending most of my nap down time surfing the web. Soaking up every bit of information I can on photography. I love to learn and get inspiration from seasoned photographers. I think they are all so cool! So cool in fact, I'm not sure if I can even consider myself a photographer... just yet.

Nah!

I had my final critique last night, and I have been very insecure so far on my photographic experiences. I do know that I have grown a lot over the semester as a photographer, and I look forward to being able to grow so much more. Our last assignment was extremely hard for me. I did however learn a lot about myself as a photographer. I definitely think it was a good "learning experience".

The assignment was to create dream like images. I was sooo not good at this. At. All. Most of the photographers in my class staged their photos. Some of them were very creative, and I began to feel like I had very little imagination. When it was my turn for critique I was very nervous. Quite frankly my photographs were not up to par. Then one of the students made a comment that was really how I had been feeling all along. I had started off by saying my feelings about the assignment, and how I felt my lack of imagination had really gotten in the way. He said "you are very hard on yourself, and you have a great eye for photography". I'm not sure if he meant it as a compliment, but I took it as one. For me photography is about capturing the spirit of my subject. I think I'm getting better at this all the time. I don't think I was able to stage photographs because they didn't really have meaning or purpose to me. I'm not really into the dark or artsy fartsy part of photography. I know I have said it before, and I'll say it again, and again, and again. It is the simple things that make me happy in life. I think that is reflected in my photography as well.

Here are some of my favorites, Richards favorites, and my classmates favorites.

My husband may be a little biased with this one. But he thinks it is one of my best. I would actually agree. If you know me well, you know it is not like me to think a picture of myself is great. I do however really like the color of my eyes here. I also like the lines in my funny nose. Also, can't forget the earrings from Jerome.

My Jerome photos were probably my biggest hit with the class, and some of mine and Richards favorites as well. I'm planning on framing them now that class is over.






This one is my all time favorite. Maybe that I've ever taken. Although the black and white I took of Tate recently is giving it a run for it's money.

p.s. I have re-done calhoun ink and if any of you are interested you can take a sneak peak. Please keep in mind it is not quite finished. But I don't mind sharing it now. If you have any constructive feed back that would be greatly appreciated as well. I'm always looking for good practice so if you would like me to do your photos for free email me. lcalhoun4@cox.net