My photography course has come to an end and although I tired of the "paid programming" the teacher inserted into each week's lessons (to boost sales in her store) I did learn a number of new things and most importantly gained plenty of confidence with all the bells and whistles on my camera to the point that that I now shoot mostly in Manual mode and am quite happy doing so.
I think from her perspective I must be the least successful student she has had, for on the second to last week I took a portfolio book of my work in to share with my fellow students. There were plenty of ooh's ahhs and how did you do that? ... but then the teacher peeked at the book too and her comment was ... "Oh... you do take photos so that you can RUIN them". Which was a joking comment I had made a week or so earlier.
So, I guess there lies the difference between the purist and the artist?
And yes, I am less interested in the perfect shot than I am in what I can do with the image once I get it into Photoshop.
But at least I know how to take pictures in the dark of the Subway now and how to capture the movement of the train .... so thanks teach'!
those pictures are amazing!!!
really love them!
Posted by: bicocacolors | March 02, 2011 at 06:03 AM
You can call your next course 'How to ruin a good photo'! lol
Posted by: Julia | February 26, 2011 at 08:46 AM
This is really cool. I love it that you know what you learned and what to throw out. And I'm always amazed that your images are photographs. They are so painter-y. I was going to comment on the previous post, but I'm going to look at photoshop first and try not to be so shy about it. I wouldn't want to take someone else's opportunity if I'm too nervous to do it! It's too tempting to think of knowing how to do these gorgeous things (in my own way of course).
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!
Posted by: Chris | February 26, 2011 at 06:37 AM
Wow! Street photography is awesome. Who knew you have a talent for this TOO!?! Excellent work.
Posted by: Bob Towery | February 26, 2011 at 01:49 AM
A critique is just a comment and you get to decide what to do with it. Always interesting to take a class with someone new, never know what new tips you might pick up and different prespectives to see.
Enjoy stopping by your space to see what creative visions you have been posting.
Posted by: Pearl Maple | February 25, 2011 at 05:34 PM
These are so beautiful. And if this is 'ruining'...sign me up!
Posted by: Seth | February 24, 2011 at 08:21 PM
Wonderful images Marie.
Sounds like you exercised a lot of patience and restraint with a rather immature teacher ... what an inappropriate comment. It's one thing for you to say it jokingly about what you do - totally another for her to make it.
Wonderful when we can filter out and take what is good and leave the rest!
Posted by: Bonnie | February 24, 2011 at 05:43 PM
I foresee a new MO class...."Taking Photos - To Be Ruined!" I'd so be there. These are fabulous. Very funny :)
Posted by: Leslie J. Moran | February 24, 2011 at 01:15 PM
You're such a rebel :D and this my friend is why I love you. There is nothing "conformist" about you!
I have a feeling you could've taught that same class and inspired your students way more than the teacher you had did...without insulting them!!
I love your photos...especially the ruined ones :D so yeah take that snooty teacher!
xoxos
Posted by: Miz Carla | February 24, 2011 at 11:48 AM
In all walks of life, you will find the snobs. Looks like your teacher was a photography snob. And that's HER problem and nobody else's!
:-)
Love the subway shots and think they'd be great printed out on some sort of unusual substrate .... couch leather, perhaps?
;-)
Posted by: Lennie | February 24, 2011 at 11:07 AM
Love your 'perspective' here. Photographer-purists really have a problem with those of us who like to 'alter' our images in the name of art! Love these NYC pix!
Posted by: Marcie | February 24, 2011 at 09:23 AM
Wow... these are awesome...when is the gallery showing?
Posted by: Rick | February 24, 2011 at 08:28 AM
These are beautiful - a little bit dreamy, a little bit street. Love!
It's good to know how to use the DSLR - so many possibilities - but at the end of the day, it's a tool. Like you, I like learning the ins and outs of my new camera, but I take photos so that I can then do other things with them too. At this point in time, you won't find me spending an hour to set up a perfect shot. Armed with DSLR and Photoshop Elements (and with a Digital Magic class in my back pocket) the creative frontier is wide open.
Posted by: Jeannine | February 24, 2011 at 08:23 AM
As you said, you knew what you came for, to gain knowledge about your camera, the execution and finish are always up to the artist. These pieces are compelling and have such a painterly feel to them, beautifully done.
Posted by: Bren | February 24, 2011 at 07:36 AM
Oh, my! That's some critique. If these photos are what she was looking at, she's way off base. I think they're fabulous and was thinking I might ask what course you took but I don't think my photography skills could stand up to her scrutiny! You really are an artist, Marie. We can all see it!
Posted by: Deryn Mentock | February 24, 2011 at 07:23 AM
You took what you needed from the course.
I braved one once,
the guy crapped on so much about himself,
But yippee for shooting more in manual mode.
Posted by: grrlandog | February 24, 2011 at 04:28 AM