That's Right, Baby, I'm 102

So tonight I went to the darkroom to print up my creative image for the week which is due tomorrow. I shot the image this afternoon with a friend, developed the image, printed the image, and mounted the print in the span of five hours. That is actually a pretty good accomplishment. While I was waiting for the freshly developed negatives to dry, I reprinted my week 1 creative assignment, which currently has a 'B' but which I want to have an 'A'.

So let me explain a little how my instructor assigns the creatives. There is one due every week. On Monday of every week we are given the assignment, which consists of a word or a phrase, and we have one week to come up with "something commercial" relating to that word.

Week 1 - "Freedom"
For this I wanted to conceptualize and represent a dual meaning/implication with the image. So I dressed my sister up as a Geisha and gave her an empty bird cage to hold. He LOVED this image. He just suggested that I print it with more contrast and get rid of a "trapped" corner between her wig and the wall. I have done both, as of this evening, and WOW!!! I can't tell you what a difference it made just repositioning the composition a little, and the contrast really emphasizes the white face make-up that JQ applied for the role. I am quite pleased with this image and am sure it will now be an 'A.' (Yes, I am aware that grades are not everything, but I still want to pursue perfection.)

Week 2 - "Bird's Eye View, Cat's Eye View, Frog's Eye View"
This is really an assignment about angles. But, having done well with my first image, I want to continue breaking the mold and thinking outside the box. My first idea, which I traveled to San Diego to shoot, was a "bird's eye view" of a cat looking up at the bird as if it were dinner. I actually managed to get a decent shot of Brooks looking up at me with spicy eyes, which I think would have worked for the assignment. However, I was disappointed with my idea and didn't feel at all like I was coloring outside the lines. Then it hit me with great frontal force. "'The Bird's' Eye View." So I dressed my friend up with bleeding scrapes and scars and shot her from the "bird's eye view" of one of "The Birds." I am really pleased with this image as well. I hope that he likes it as much as he liked the first one. And the contrast on this one is already better, so I can't wait until critique. Unfortunately, crits for this class are on Wednesdays, even though the image is due Monday. (He takes them home and grades them before crit.)

Have I mentioned that I really like this guy? He is the perfect instructor for my type of learning. I am already lamenting that class will be over in five weeks because he is that good. I know that sounds crazy, but I appreciate him as an instructor in the here and now.

I rememeber in high school I had this one American Studies teacher who was so amazing and so inspiring that I actually cried when Christmas Break started because I knew that I only had one more semester to learn from his amazing mind.

What can I say? I love to learn. Always have. I used to get all giddy before school started in the fall because of the wonderful possibilities of the halls of learning. I feel like that now with my instructor. I will thoroughly enjoy the next five weeks, and I can guarantee you I will be a better photographer. Already am.

Proof, however, is in the pudding. Pudding which, at Brooks, often includes the opinions of upper division students. Today while I was printing my Geisha sister I had the prints laid out on the table and was examining differences in print times and filter levels and these two upper division students came over and looked over my shoudler.

"What is that for?" The girl asked.
"Just a creative assignment." I sheepishly replied, noting that they were both wet printing 11 x 14 images, which is not something commonly done until higher level classes.
"For 103?" She looked puzzled. My heart leapt. 103!!! I could be compared in the ranks of my future session?!
"No, 102. The creative assignments for 102." I fumbled around with my words, my brain focusing more on her look of shock and disbelief.
The guy walked over. "What is it for?"
"102." The girl replied before I had a chance.
"What was the word?" He inquired, examining the quality of the work.
"Freedom." I practically shrieked, mostly from excitement that they seemed to like my work, though I imagine I sounded patriotic at the time.
They both nodded and seemingly approved. "That's nice work." He finally said before walking back into the lab to continue with his printing.
I think they really liked it!!!

Yeah, that's right, I'm easily confused with 103 students all the time!