The first real assignment

I’m taking a photography class at the local community college this fall.  It is a 5 week course and I’ve just completed week 3.  We had our first real assignment.  Our instructor presented us with these:

 

 

 

My classmates were by turns horrified and amused.  How long has it been since you used one of these babies?  It was an interesting week to be sure.  Our class discussion for week 3 was about composition and so the focus of our weekly assignment was on composition.  No technical mastery to get in our way with these cameras.  It was truly a point and shoot experience.

 

After I busted the camera out of the packaging I was a little overwhelmed.  How could I do this without the LCD screen?  How would I know if my exposure was correct?  How would I know what was actually being recorded since I knew the viewfinder did not truly represent what the shutter would capture.  I pressed the little plastic button and chuckled.  I guess we’ll find out! Today I went to Costco and had the film developed.  It was funny to have to TRY to spend an hour wandering around the store waiting for my one-hour photo developing.  I gathered up all my necessary purchases and loaded them in the car and came back to the photo counter to pick up my prints.  I had a flash of remembering picking up photos at the grocery store more than 10 years ago and wondering how they’d have turned out or even better, what was on the beginning of the roll since I couldn’t remember starting it.  Things have definitely changed for me since I abandoned my film point and shoot for digital over 10 years ago.  Now I can’t quite imagine not having the power and flexibility of the DSLR I’ve come to appreciate.  I didn’t particularly like what I saw on my photo prints, I must admit, but I think it was a good exercise for me to remember composition and where it all began.  The above 4 shots are my 4 favorites that I’ll be sharing with the class.  I can only imagine what next week will bring.  Our instructor gave us 2 of these fab quicksnap cameras so I know I have more in store.