Listening to the Voices in My Head

At first I thought my purchase curse had struck again, as it seems that photo taken at the full on 250 zoom has a 'soft focus'. But after talking with Aikidomayland it turns out that at max zoom, the Sigma tends to fuzz the images. The good news is at 200 to 220 all is well.

Now I have get my kit ready for tomorrow night. We have another "Intermediate Session" with Greg.

And Wing being ill now is proof of that.

The good news is he is feeling better.

The Better news is I convinced/cajoled Wing not to quit. He called my photography instructor/teacher, Greg, and spoke to him at length at what happened. To say Greg was appalled would be an understatement. Wing has signed up for the 6 week, one night a week, photography class, and guess what? He likes the Lumix! :D Wing will be bringing the Canon 300D with him too, to familiarize himself with certain functions.

I spoke at some length with Greg, and all I mentioned was the first name of one of the people at ****** ****, but didn't mention the name of the place, and he knew who they were. I have funny feeling this isn't the first time a disappointed student from them has made their way to Greg.

This is the first thing Wing has been seriously enthused about doing since Pop passed away. I am so glad he will be continuing his photography/camera studies. <|<|<| and there was much rejoicing |>|>|>

Well, go tomorrow.

I was told to bring all my camera gear that I use, including lenses, filters, monopod, tripod, slide rail, batteries, chargers, etc etc. I spent over 90 minutes yesterday rummaging everything up, then spent another hour re-arranging my kit backpack to most of it would fit in. Can't quite get everything into it but I will carry my workhorse (Lumix) on my neck. I was also told to bring some samples of my work. Oy.

Elation and terror in equal measures.

You always get your primadonas that prance up front, forcing the ones who don't know what to do towards the back of the class. Especially the ones that should be either in a very advanced class, or out there performing. The ones who want to shake to show off to the newer students.

But when they forcefully take over the class, and then the ones who want to learn end up leaving, things are a-gonna change. We have had enough of these antics. If they want to just 'burn off calories' and aren't there to learn, they will be relegated to the back of the class, and the ones who do want to learn will be brought to the fore so they can see the teacher. This is not negotiable.

When the teacher is tired, and the students are a bit wobbly in the knees at the tail end of 90 minutes. Part of the reason I was tired was the mulching and wood chipping for most of this week.

Stop and go corrections with technique until it was well and truly understood, and executed properly.  Also, _meegan_ and I have found it useful to keep a skirt on after showing the footwork, as it prevents the students from staring down at the floor watching our feet.

Came home, had long hot, muscle relaxing shower. Then proceeded to play "Chase the red bug" with the cats. Nothing is funnier than watching a cat try to run up the wall after the laser pointer light. I swear, Keito defied gravity and had all four feet on the wall and was running parallel with the floor. Affy was Mr Mouth Hanging Open to catch it. Totally undignified. Must get camera at the ready for the next time.