Not too long ago I didn't know much about taking pictures. That all changed when I bought a Canon Rebel T6. I bought the camera so I would have something nice to take pictures at my sister's wedding in Punta Cana.
I quickly realized I had no idea how to work this new-fangled contraption. I thought, "I am a software developer. This is a computer. I can figure it out." I went my usual route to learn new things....the Internet. I read blogs, watch videos on YouTube, looked at ebooks, but nothing was sinking in. Aperture, ISO, shutter speed, exposure, studying light it all went right over my head.
I know I am a visual learner, so I decided to take a class. I was determined to get out of automatic. The local community college offered non-credit community education course, and I found a Photography 101 class. I figured I can get the basics, and maybe learn something about my camera. I was in for a huge surprise. The class had an amazing instructor that was so passionate about making a great photo that he was infectious. By the time I finished the class I was completely in love with the idea of making great photographs.
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I immediately went back to the community college website, and looked to see what other photography classes he was teaching. I knew he had a 102 class, but it would be a couple months before it started. I did not want to want a couple of months, I wanted more NOW. There was a macro photography class starting in 2 weeks. It was right up my alley. I love being outside and in the woods. I like taking pictures of bugs and flowers. It sounded perfect. I had just bought some land in the middle of no where that had a field, I kind you not a field, of milkweed. The milkweed had plenty of monarch butterfly caterpillars (my favorite) for me to study.
I went online, and bought an amazing f2.8 100mm macro lens, and signed up for his macro photography class. I don't think I have ever had such a great time with a group of complete strangers. (This is a big deal for me. I never go anywhere new without a friend. My best friend would not be my best friend if I had not drug my poor sister to her house for a Halloween party.) I learned some tricks macro photographers used, and I got some pictures I was really excited about. I was off to an excellent start.
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